Week 5- Synchronicity

Blog Week 5

In class I spoke about using objective tests and assessments as a springboard for conversations about subjective experiences. I made a note about that on the second page of this article and was pleasantly surprised that these case studies did just that- the counselors utilized assessments in the counseling process, but did not rely solely on these to help the client (Guindon and Hanna, 2002). I like the holistic view and the approach from other religions.

I want to share my own serendipitous moment. The one that comes to mind has to do with career moves for my partner and I.  Our whole move from Virginia had serendipitous moments, but it would take up all 500 words just explaining the story, so instead here is a little snippet: the day after I decided to attend Millersville over West Chester a friend told my husband about an opening at Warwick School District. It was his dream job. The timing was perfect. Had it come earlier I might not have made the decision yet, had it come later he might have had a contract from the other school which already offered him a position in delaware. I have always said that my career decisions are based on knocking on every door and asking god/the universe to open the door which is right for me. Move forward and the path will become visible.  

This idea of serendipity sometimes feels comforting and sometimes causes me anxiety.  If I knew the path ahead, I would not have to worry about the future; however, it is nice knowing that things might work out that I can’t control.  In these case studies, the counselor didn’t simply say “oh, don’t worry, things will work out”.  The counselor still moved forward with techniques to help the client move forward, and yet there an appreciation in hindsight that things will workout beyond our control.

The text talks about this holistic counseling view for people in career crisis looking for meaning. Is there a way we can teach this holistic view of career development before a crisis? I am thinking about school counseling in particular, does this perspective change how we approach career education? The article proposes that “support and guidance in a nonjudgmental, open-ended environment can provide the atmosphere in which to consider more authentic, suitable career options” (Guidon and Hanna, 2002, p. 206).  I think a school counselor could create a similar atmosphere where there is education about setting goals and moving forward; however, also an understanding that career paths happen non-linearly sometimes.

Brown, D. (2012).  Career information, career counseling, and career development

        (10th ed.). New York: Pearson Education, Inc.

Guindon, M. H. and Hanna, F. J. (2002). Coincidence, happenstance, serendipity, fate,

or the hand of God: Case studies in synchronicity. The Career Development

Quarterly, 55, 196-208.