Chapter 11 - Nicole

So this blog will be a mix between of my thoughts on chapter 11 in Brown (2016) and my overall thoughts on this course. This chapter is about using the information from earlier in the book to help those who need assistance when it comes to career development. With children it will help them develop an awareness of the world around them. It will break down stereotypes that are in the child’s mind. It will help children develop appreciation for education and work. In adolescents these skills could help sharpen their skills and identify what options they have. It is where the counselor could help them compare different career opportunities. This information could also be used with adults and retirees in several different ways. It could help them if there is a need to for a change in their career, or if there is a termination from a previous occupation.

The chapter has information on the labor market. There are two main sources to get information on the labor market. The one source is the Occupational Information Network, or O*Net. This is a website that has a database on almost all of the occupations in the country. It includes the SVP code and Job Zone information, as well as information on what you would be doing in this job and similar occupations. It is very user friendly, and can be accessed from adults and children of all ages to help in their search for an occupation. I for one would have greatly benefited from this site, if I knew about it when I was in high school.

The second source is the Occupational Outlook Handbook is found in both print and virtually. Unlike the O*Net it has information on jobs in the military, computer based career guidance, and state systems. There are several different sources that can be used,that are not the main two sources. People can use simulations, games, interviews, direct observation, job shadowing, career days, career conferences, work experience programs, career fairs, children’s materials, and educational information.

Personally I think on top of O*Net and the handbook interviews, job shadowing, and career fairs are next inline that people are most likely to use. I personally think shadowing someone who has the job you think you want, at least as a child, you would benefit so much from doing it. I know growing up; I wanted to shadow my neighbor who was a nurse. I never got around to actually shadowing her, but I probably would have decided not to go into nurses sooner. Instead, of rather, going through the long process of changing my major that I mentioned in my previous blogs.  

Lastly I would like to discuss my thoughts on the course I am currently in. I think this class has its benefits, especially in my program of school counseling. I have learned a lot that I didn’t already know, and a lot of things that I already knew. Most of these things from the Brown (2016) book I could use to assist children in the school to find a career path right for them.

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