Chapter 4

In the text this week, there were very interesting insights regarding how individuals pick and choose their career.  I’m starting to realize how much cultural, psychological, and biological factors can influence one’s decision making.  Super and Gottfredson’s theories were both discussed and described in great detail.  According to Brown (2016), Super believed that once you develop a sense of self and realize this may change over time, you can then start planning your career.  I find this to be a very interesting point.  I would have never have thought back in high school or before that I would be a guidance counselor.  I think it wasn’t until I understood who I was that I was able to make that leap of faith to start my counseling journey.  The text states, “The career development process begins in childhood; career aspirations are attempts to implement one’s self-concept; career satisfaction depends on the degree to which the career is congruent with self-perceptions; and people develop occupational stereotypes that guide them in the selection process” (Brown, 2016, pg. 80). This theory once again has strong ties to Strong’s ideas.  Once you develop your self-concept, you then can narrow your occupational search down to a few choices. The influences start early, but can be applied all throughout life. 

While reading the Duffy (2006) article, I was able to reflect on things I am free to openly discuss in my school.  I realize that not every teacher will have the ability to talk about spirituality and faith in the schools they work at.  I work at a private, Catholic, high school in Harrisburg.  In my school, you are able to talk openly and freely about your faith and how it has played a role in your life.  I am even able to use spirituality and religion while I am working as a guidance counselor.  I find that those students who do have a strong spiritual outlook typically are more at peace and perform better academically.  It would be no surprise to me that if aspects of spirituality and religion relate positively to career development and eventually lead to job satisfaction.  After reading the article, I found that my inquiries were in fact correct.

I liked look at the different Holistic Models of Wellness.  “The centerpiece of Witmer and Sweeney’s model is spirituality” (Duffy, 2006, pg.56). Since this is the centerpiece, it serves as the primary influence on other values that the person possesses.  I believe that spirituality can provide meaning to one’s life, so it is not a shock that it is such an influence here.  “Miller-Tiedeman proposed that the focus of life should not be about finding the right career, but about finding the right life” (Duffy, 2006, pg.56). This makes all the sense in the world to me.  While one might change careers many times throughout life, if they are at peace with themselves and the decisions they made, then they will probably view their life as being quite successful.  The last model is the Brewer’s Vocational Souljourn Model.  In this model, it is believed that one’s vocation is called on by a Creator and their occupation will be an expression of their true self.  This is something I believe in.  I believe that we all have a calling to do something, it just might take some individuals longer than others to figure this out.

References

Brown, D. (2016). Career information, career counseling, and career development (11^thed.). New York: Pearson Education, Inc. ISBN 978-0-13-391777-2.

Duffy, R. D. (2006). Spirituality, Religion, and Career Development: Current Status and Future Directions. The Career Development Quarterly, 55, 55-63.