Week 10

As I read through this chapter, I tried to keep reminding myself how important this chapter is to our future work in school counseling.  Secondary counselors have taken on much of the responsibility in helping students make decisions on continuing education and careers.  As I think back to my own experience, there were many computer programs I did in class on interest inventory, aptitudes and what careers would best fit my personality type.  It is not that they weren’t helpful, but there was never a conversation to follow, only a print out that list my possible career fits.  I think they would have been more beneficial and students would have taken them more seriously if reflection conversations with a counselor could have happened.

Choosing a career is no easy task, and I totally agree with Corey and Corey (2008) when they mention the disadvantages of choosing a career too early.  As I think back to my responses to the times I was asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I can’t help but laugh, because I know they would not be a good fit for me today.  Once I made the decision to become an educator, my path was pretty mapped out.  For other career choices, there are so many more directions for one’s path to go.  For example, students graduating with a degree in business still have many steps to take in choosing a career within that area.  I think internship programs are an excellent opportunity for young adults to get a feel for what would be a good  fit for them.  Offering internship opportunities to high school students could also be very beneficial.  I know that at my high school, seniors could take all their required classes in the morning and then attend work/internships in the afternoons  It is important that we as counselors provide our students with as many opportunities as possible to help them create a path toward their career.

Leisure time was the last topic in the chapter, and that section allowed me the opportunity to reflect on my leisure time.  It is my experience that teachers have a tendency to always bring work home, whether it be papers to grade, laminated materials to cut, or lesson plans to write.  I knew that if I was not aware, I would sit and work all night.  So I made the decision to never bring work home.  Often times this means I am the last one in the building or will occasionally have a “working lunch”, but it guarantees that my time outside of work is my leisure time.  With the spring weather back in full swing, one of my favorite leisure activities is to sit on the deck and enjoy a glass of wine as the sun sets.  I am also a big reader and love to knit.  Having summers off allows me to fully indulge in leisure time.  Most days are spent sitting on the deck reading.

Corey, G. , & Corey, M.S. (2008). I never knew I had a choice: Explorations in personal growth (9th ed.). Belmont, California: Thompson Brooks/Cole. ISBN: 9780495602293.