Cunningham-Professional Identity

S

Professional IdentityCareer Counselor

Nicole CunninghamSDC 508Fall 2014

Dr. Rob Thompson

BACKGROUND

Lifelong goal was to be a broadcast journalist Earned degree from Butler University Worked in various journalism jobs for 8 years Did not find fulfillment in journalism Transitioned to public relations Left work to become a stay-at-home mom, then

pondered my next step Picked up the phone and called IWU

History of Career Counseling

1940s and 1950s = Job “Placement Paradigm” (Schaub 2012) for large number of GI Bill recipients.

1960s-1980s= “Planning Paradigm” (Schaub 2012) focused on career planning strategies and job search skills for short and long-term goals.

1990s= “Networking Paradigm” (Schaub 2012) Focused on connecting students directly with employers.

2000s= “Social Networking Paradigm” (Schaub 2012) combines direct contact with employers with the power of technology and the emergence of social media.

What Does a Career Counselor Do?

Assess student Research industry and companies Resume and cover letter preparation Interview skill development Job offer evaluation Internship coordinating Networking Coursework (Schaub 2012)

CareerCounselor Considerations

-Personality-Values-Interests-Professor input

“I work closely with faculty and staff and we tag team to find internship opportunities. I have worked very hard at developing relationships with faculty. Attention must be given to relationships.”

Kirk Bixler – Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Career Services

Career Counseling: Beyond the Vocational

Identity Development and Meaning Making:-Establish a concrete set of values -Discover a greater sense of self-Search for a sense of purpose-Goal setting-Traditional age and adult studentsdiffer in this progression

(ADAMS 2012)

“Calling”A Place in This WorldCalling: “A sense of purpose or meaning leading individuals toward personally fulfilling and socially significant work.” (Adams 2012, p. 66)

Similarities Between Career Counseling, Academic Advising,

and Student Counseling

Advisors are also concerned with career qualifications and “the end game”of securing a job

Students being “good fits” for a chosen field

School counselors also conduct assessments

School counselors also address a student’s struggles

Differences between Career Counselors, Advisors and Student

Counselors

Academic Advisors may be more concerned with meeting all university requirements-not just those in one field

Acedemic Advisors are more concerned with scheduling and timing issues

School counselors may diagnose and treat mental health concerns

A career counselor will need to have an awareness of all of these issues, but will refer and collaborate on certain issues, instead of lead

When Career Counseling and Mental Health Counseling Connect

Depression can be linked to career indecision

Personal struggles may be linked to career indecision

Some universities keep career and health counselors in the same location—many do not. Collaboration and communications are vital.

(HINKLEMAN AND LUZZO 2007)

Challenges to Career Counselors

Only 9% of students use college and university counseling centers (CROCKETT AND HAYS 2011)

Kirk Bixler: “Student buy-in is a challenge. There is a general lack of accountability when it comes to planning.”

To counteract this, Franklin College has instituted a mandatory career-planning class, and internships are required of all students. Internet sites, such as LinkedIn, are now playing a bigger role in job search and recruitment.

Challenges to Career Counselors

International students are less likely to use career counselors

Male students are less likely to use career counselors The prevalence of students on the autism spectrum may

impact career counseling Family dynamics may influence the counseling process

(JOHNSON, SCHAMUHNM NELSON, & BUBOLTZ JR. 2014)

Career Progression

Complete the Master’s Degree Complete internships Join associations and attend conferences:

network Begin as a career counselor, then the next

step is as an assistant director. Director of career services is the next step, and also may encompass an assistant dean position.

Conclusion

Career counselors help students realize their potential They help realize the university’s mission They participate collaboratively in the university

environment Like mental health counselors, they must recognize and

respond to cultural barriers to communication They are a resource for all students in all situations and in

their field no two students are alike.

References

Adams, C. M. (2012). Calling and Career Counseling with College Students: Finding Meaning in Work and

Life. Journal Of College Counseling, 15(1), 65-80. Bixler, K. Personal Communication. September 29, 2014. Crockett, S. A., & Hays, D. G. (2011). Understanding and

Responding to the Career Counseling Needs of International College Students on U.S. Campuses. Journal

Of College Counseling, 14(1), 65-79. Hinkelman, J. M., & Luzzo, D. (2007). Mental Health and

Career Development of College Students. Journal Of Counseling & Development, 85(2), 143-147.

References

Johnson, P., Schamuhn, T. D., Nelson, D. B., & Buboltz, W. C. (2014). Differentiation Levels of College Students: Effects

on Vocational Identity and Career Decision Making. Career Development Quarterly, 62(1), 70-80. doi:10.1002/j.

2161-0045.2014.00071.x Schaub, M. (2012). The Profession of College Career Services

Delivery: What College Counselors Should Know About Career Centers. Journal Of College Student Psychotherapy, 26(3), 201-215. doi:10.1080/87568225.2012.685854

Walker, J. & Peterson, G. (2012). Career Thoughts, Indecision, and Depression: Implications for Mental Health Assessment in

Career Counseling. Journal of Career Assessment 20(497). doi: 10.1177/1069072712450010