Weekly Insight 5

Both the theories from week’s article and Joan Blades’ presentation on “Living Room Conversations” are associated.   I believe that many American’s have some sort of spiritual background, no matter what their religious background.  Among many beliefs presented in this article, looking at someone’s career development journey through their spiritual beliefs is talked about.  I particularly like this belief and could relate to it the most.

Most of the articles talked about thus far focus on the client’s family background and the use of genograms in early education, intellectual capabilities, and objective and subjective experiences.  In this week’s article they talk about the random happenings through a person’s life can help a person find their career. “Career development across the life span is no less than a search for meaning. Many clients come into career counseling blocked, engulfed in their own self-imposed set of limitations. Because they have not attended to their needs for life’s meaning, they may have ignored their own spiritual yearnings.” (Guindon & Hanna, 2002, p. 196)  I think using both the holistic approach and the spiritual approach would be successful in helping a client find their way in a meaningful career.  I do not think there is “one” approach that is the most successful in counseling.  Every client has their own unique personality and I think using the most successful approach tailored to the client is the most important way.

Guindon and Hanna reference, in the article, Jung’s definition of synchronicity “occurrence of meaningful coincidence in time.” (Guindon & Hanna, 2002, p. 197) In the beginning of the presentation by Joan Blades, she talked about that synchronicity is exactly what happen to her. A small idea between her and her friends became big movements. I really like that she helped raise so much money a very little amount of time for something she was passionate about.  The other point she talked about was helping mother’s have equal opportunities in the work place.  I have not personally experienced this prejudice from a supervisor, but I have had discussions with coworkers about mom’s taking off of work to tend to their sick children.  Mother’s are likely to have more sick days from work in a year than any other employee.  Two years ago, both of my children had been sick off and on for a couple of months.  I had taken many sick days during that time.  When returning to work, my coworker’s would say things like “we haven’t seen you in awhile or where have YOU been?”  I never got in trouble for being gone so much, but I had a lenient supervisor.  I am sure not all work places have the same leniency.

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.