Week 10 Blog

Week 10 Blog  Chapter 11

One of my first thoughts when reading Chapter 11 “Career and Employment Assessment” in our Drummond text was amazement about the number and variety of assessment tools out there dealing with this subject area. My second thought was, “Why did I not take more of these tests when I was so desperately trying to figure out what to do career wise??” This was quickly followed up by, “Why did no one help me much in this area??” The last question I think happened because of several factors. I went to a small high school in Ohio where I was an honor student. Because I was a “good kid” I was one of those who didn’t receive much attention from the guidance counselor Mrs. Phillips. My impression of her back then was not that favorable and my opinion hasn’t changed much. I honestly don’t know what she did all day. It was assumed I would go on to college so I guess that was enough for her. The truth was I needed guidance. I had it in my head that since I loved animals and biology I would pursue a career in veterinary science or marine biology. Did I (and everyone else) forget how I struggled through math and chemistry classes? Didn’t I realize that I gravitated towards the humanities? I went to college and my calculus and physics classes were almost the end of me. I was still getting A’s in Biology and loved my laboratory classes so I thought there was still a chance. I was also really enjoying my Art History classes I had taken for fun. Slowly it dawned on me that maybe science wasn’t the path for me. By this time I was a sophomore or junior and a Fine Arts major with an Art History concentration was the way for me to graduate on time. No one counseled me on what I was going to do with this degree. I think I was in denial. Drummond and Jones write, “…teenagers often have to make important educational and career decisions that they are not developmentally ready to make. Many adolescents are unable to integrate their interests, skills, and abilities in focusing on a particular career goal, which is the main objective of career assessment.” (2010) Bingo! Now I had my college degree but still no idea of what I wanted to do career wise. So I moved to Europe for a year. That put off the decision for another 12 months.

After returning from Europe and living with my parents for 10 months, I found myself working for a pittance at a local printing company. I applied to graduate school. I went for a year and then lost interest. I wasn’t passionate about a Master’s of Peace Studies degree. I enjoyed most of my classes but something was missing. When I finally accepted the position of Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at a large United Methodist Church, I was nervous but excited. I had found my niche for the next 13 years. At one point, near the end of my time there, I went to the University of Delaware’s career center. I had recently taken a School Counseling course there which I had enjoyed. I was feeling like it was time for a change career wise.  I took some career assessment tests on the computer (I don’t recall which ones) and my interests came up in education/humanities. I wasn’t surprised really but it was nice to have confirmation of my interests and skills. Fast forward 12 more years and I find myself in graduate school again studying school counseling. This time I am passionate about my studies and very excited about my future career.

As a future elementary school counselor, many of these assessments will not be applicable to my students. I do look forward to introducing my students to various careers and skills needed for certain jobs. I see myself as “planting the seed” of career awareness and education. I also hope that students in the upper grades will be given the opportunity to take a variety of career assessment tests so they can start to figure out a career path. It is a tough road and I think we need to offer our students all the assistance possible so they can make educated decisions.

 

 

Drummond, R. J. and Jones, K. (2010). Assessment procedures for counselors and helping

            professionals. (7^th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.