Blog 11-Chapter 15

           I thought our conversation on future trends and fundamental attribution bias was thought provoking. After watching the lecture about work trends in the United States, I am concerned about the declining trend of the quality of living for blue and white collar workers. The contrast between Ted and Bill depicted in the graph not only demonstrated a future trend but the startling reality of a societal divide based on current economics. I wonder what this means in the future for all workers and how this will have an impact on attaining higher education. I think that there will be a greater divide between those who went to college and those who did not creating a further dichotomy in society.

            Upon reflection of our conversation of “success”, I was thinking about success and graduate school. In the clinical program, the student can only attain one B- throughout the course of his/her academic career at Millersville. The standard of success in graduate school is then for students to attain all A and B grades. I am wondering who determines this definition of success. Although this definition strives for academic excellence among graduate students, I think this can limit those who would attend graduate school and who graduate successfully. I think these requirements can become a deterrent for individuals who have a full time job and a family due to time constraints and the limited availability to dedicate the time and energy for mastery of the material. I also think this definition of success sets graduates up for failure post graduate school because the attainment of success is based on achieving above average results. As we know, goal attainment for clients is based on several variables including stage of change, cognitions, and self-efficacy. Individuals may not be ready for psychotherapy or interventions may not benefit the client resulting in less than desirable therapeutic outcomes. If the therapist has high standards of personal success in the field, this can negatively impact the therapist if their “success” is not reached. Some negative effects can include the decrease of self-efficacy, negative feeling development toward the client, and a decrease in unconditional positive regard due to personalization.

            In Chapter 15, Brown (2012) discusses career development services in businesses. I was surprised about GlaskoSmithKline’s career development program. The career development program is rather intensive with the resources available for individuals to increase their education and skill development. I wonder how many workers actually increased or obtained a higher position in the company once they utilized these career resources. Especially since one of the goals for companies that utilize a career development program is to increase worker productivity and allow for advancement within the company.

 

 

Brown, D. (2012). Career Development Programming in Business Organizations. In Career Information, Career Counseling, and Career Development (10th ed., pp. 330-347). New York: Pearson Education, Inc.