In the category of Career Development on the National Counselor Examination (NCE), the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE), or another counseling exam, you might need to know about the Minnesota Viewpoint.
Also called the Minnesota Point of View, this is an approach to counseling that places a focus on one’s career and education. Made popular by E.G. Williamson, the Minnesota Viewpoint was heavily influenced by Parsons’s work on trait and factor theory.
What is the Minnesota Viewpoint? Sometimes called the Minnesota Point of View, this is an approach to career counseling, and is considered one of the first comprehensive theories to come from a vocational counseling perspective.
Who created the Minnesota Viewpoint? This approach was made popular by Edmund Griffith Williamson—or E.G. Williamson. Williamson became more popular thanks to his book, A Manual of Clinical Techniques for Clinical Counselors, published in 1939. He had many other books he also wrote, but this one was the most popular. Williamson was associated with the University of Minnesota for over 40 years. He first began there as a graduate student, and eventually became a full professor for the university. Williamson also served as the Dean of Students for many years, and was the 10th president of the American College Personnel Association.
Where does the Minnesota Viewpoint get its name? The name of the Minnesota Viewpoint comes from Williamson being associated with the University of Minnesota for over 40 years.
What are important parts of the Minnesota Viewpoint approach? With the Minnesota Viewpoint, the approach was that the counselor would provide the client with data and information. Then, the decisions and choices were up to the client. The Minnesota Viewpoint was heavily influenced by Parsons’s work on trait and factor theory. Additionally, it used data from the Minnesota Occupational Rating Scales. These data provided empirical and statistical information to act as a tool for matching clients with a job. Williamson would often use the Strong Interest Inventory as another source of information and data for clients.
Are there criticisms of the Minnesota Viewpoint? One of the main critiques of the theory is that it minimizes the client’s view of themselves. Meaning, this approach doesn’t include or consider how the client perceives themselves in the context of a vocation. Additionally, emotional qualities of a person do not play a strong role in the Minnesota Viewpoint. This criticism is that some believe that the qualities that a person has emotionally should likely be considered when working with them in the context of a vocation.
