Blog 10

For the discussion board this week, we were required to analyze a case study, select and identity three different occupations that were compatible, and produce a self-assessment activity. Susan’s career aspirations, the student in my case study, were completely dissimilar to the career aspirations of myself or my close friends and family. I had very limited, if any previous knowledge, regarding occupations and tasks required in the field of construction.   This activity required me to reflect on my own personal career counseling experience, tasks involved in my desired occupation, and had me analyzing a self-assessment activity for myself.

I thought about my personal experience with career counseling and realized I did not have any real exposure to career counseling except through general seminars conducted by the high school library. Even with my freshman seminar class through Longwood University, a class introducing topics to incoming students who were undecided, I did not feel it was beneficial especially since I had already selected a psychology major. Due to this lack of career exploration and career counseling, I analyzed the clinical child occupation on the O*Net (2015). I reviewed the tasks, tools, skills, abilities, work activities and job zone for the occupation of Clinical Child Psychologist in relation to myself. I compared sections of the O*Net summary to myself and was pleased and surprised at the results.

The tasks, all 21 of them, were in line with what I believed were the tasks of a clinical psychologist. I realized I needed more hands-on experience and knowledge involving the tools and technology relating to the occupation. The education section reminded me of the importance of higher education and the necessity in completing the masters program at Millersville and even pursing doctorate level education. The interests or the Holland Code for the occupation was high for the interests of investigated, social, and artistic. This was not as a close of a match to myself as I had originally imagined. My Holland Code would be considered SCI; social, conventional, and investigative.  The work values in which the occupation placed a high level of interests were relationships, independence, achievement, working condition, and recognition.  These indicated a strong match with my own personal values.

 I realized, again, my dreams of becoming a clinical psychologist are in my reach and are comparable to my personal aspirations. I believe the 0*Net is a valuable tool for students who are undecided and need direction, adults who aim to get ahead, and individuals who are interested in changing fields. The format, standardized scores, and the availability of information in one document is beneficial to all occupations and individuals of all ages.