Career Writing is a narrative approach to qualitative career assessment whereby client (or student) groups use creative, reflective, and expressive forms of writing to foster an internal dialogue about career. It is intended to help individuals construct a career identity by uncovering life themes, assessing drives and wishes, and rewriting stories (i.e., narrative truths) that no longer serve. The starting point for this learning process is usually a crisis, which could be a situation, event, attitude or choice dilemma surrounding work. Research shows that career writing holds promise for university students in the process of career formation and orientation and can help adults facing job loss.
The potential of a ‘data-driven life’, together with the realization of Weiser’s vision of ‘the disappearing computer’ have been embraced by many. However, the increasing invisibility, virtuality and complexity of data systems also come with a variety of concerns, such as issues of sensemaking, ownership, representation and control. Although data and technology is all around us, its virtual and invisible nature, thereby its lack of material and tangible forms has implications on the way data systems are (mis) used, understood, experienced and perceived. This paper presents craft-based approaches for physical sense making –widely ranging from physical artefacts to show and hide from monitoring, to crafting data physicalizations for critical thinking, communication and creativity. In doing so, this paper discusses how crafting physical forms can be used as a way to grasp and understand ‘invisible’ data systems.
