Week 4

I really did not like the idea that Wiki will be a communication device between our team members for the group presentations. I usually am opposed to new forms of technology and I prefer to talk to individuals in person. I find it harder to explain and coordinate teams through the internet, especially since individuals may check their pages sporadically making it harder to agree upon topics and meet a deadline. From previous experiences with group projects, talking in person to each member in the beginning was more productive then emailing or using other forms of technology to communicate. However, I do see the value of using online classrooms and I am glad that I am learning how to use this tool. I think that Wiki or similar models can be used within the career counseling field to conduct seminars. This allows for individuals that have hectic schedules to obtain information that would be presented at an institution. I also like how these online classrooms have forums or message boards. Forum pages can allow individuals to pose and answer questions. This would create a greater dissemination of material and possibly universality for individuals who are struggling with their career.

In Savickas’s (1995) article, he discusses the evolution of indecision as a construct in career development theory. I thought it was interesting that indecision was once viewed as a sign of psychopathology, especially since all individuals at one point in time in their life are faced with a conflict and may not have the immediate answer to their current situation. I agree with the constructivist approach to indecision that the construct of indecision is universal and is a catalyst to the formation of a new path.  However, I do not agree with the applications of indecision from the constructivist view to career counseling. I think the identity narrative can only be utilized for a small set of clients. Cultural groups who are more action oriented and prefer a direct style of communication may not benefit from the narrative approach (Sue & Sue, 2008).  From what I understand from the article, the constructivist approach does not emphasize skills and focuses on goals and life themes. I find it odd that current skill sets are not discussed since individuals may not have the necessary background to resolve their conflicts.

 I am opposed to the notion, “a stall or stop would be diagnosed as depression” (Savickas, 1995). Individuals see a career counselor for a plethora of reasons including career indecision. Individuals that are “stuck” enter the therapeutic relationship to resolve this conflict. That does not mean that the individual is depressed. I would prefer to say that the individual is conflicted and long term stress can lead to feelings of depression and eventually clinical depression rather than generalizing the term depression to all individuals that cannot arrive at a decision.

 

 

 

Savickas, M. L. (1995). Constructivist Counseling for Career Indecision. The Career Development Quarterly, 43(4), 363-373.

Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (2008). Barriers to Multicultural Counseling and Therapy. In 

Counseling the Culturally Diverse (5th ed., pp. 133-155). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.