Holly Miller#10

          I think this is one of the most important chapters for future school counselors as many of us will be helping students select careers that fit their personalities and interests. Corey and Corey (2010) present us with several theories of career development. I was particularly drawn to the research of John Holland, specifically his emphasis on career choices as an expression of our values and personality. I think this is the ideal formula. Values+Personality=Good Career Choice. This would seem to be the optimal formula for individual happiness. In my case, this formula was able to "formulate" because my environment allowed it to. I had great supports along the way and I received a good deal of adult encouragement as a youngster.
          I think this formula can be more difficult to use if life's circumstances are challenging. For example, some people have to choose a career out of necessity rather than personal fulfillment. The daily needs of living are often difficult to meet and the idea of a fulfilling career takes a back seat. Some people face monumental challenges during the career-selection years and these challenges can deeply impact the way a person goes about looking for a career. Sometimes challenges can be good. In the case of my father, he was told (by a guidance counselor in his high school actually) that he would never be able to do work beyond the high school level based on his grades and abilities at the time. That statement turned out to be totally bogus as today he has multiple degrees and lives a successful life. HUMANS JUST DON'T KNOW ALL THEY ARE CAPABLE OF! No matter how difficult or discouraging the circumstances, encouragement from at LEAST ONE person can make all the difference. In the case of my father, his mother encouraged him to read, his wife stood by his side, and one of his college professors challenged him to pursue a degree instead of continuing to work for the railroad, which he did when I was very young. My father and mother always did the same for me.
       As future counselors, I thinks we must remember that the process of choosing a career can be cumbersome and quite challenging. We must remind our students that career development is often a long process and that sometimes we reach our true destination much later than we think we will. We  must remind our students to take advantage of different opportunities and take risks (within healthy limits) to find true and lasting happiness and fulfillment.

Corey, G., & Corey, M.S. (2010). I never knew I had a choice:Explorations in personal growth. (9th ed.) Belmont, California: Thompson Brooks/Cole.