Shorey, George Harrison2024-08-152024-08-1519921992https://hdl.handle.net/1828/19677While the impact of unemployment has received considerable study, research addressing the question of how individuals experience the interventions designed to assist them, is limited. Utilizing the ethnographic interview method (Spradley, 1979), this study investigated how participants experienced a group job-search training program developed for those over the age of forty-five. Analysis focused on the meaning systems individuals employed when interpreting their experience. Five central themes were identified and discussed: (a) cultural contradiction; (b) feeling normal; (c) knowing someone cares; (d) belief in something to offer; and (e) finding direction. In light of these themes a broad-based definition of program success is suggested along with several recommendations for future program designs.80 pagesAvailable to the World Wide WebUN SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthThesis