Week 10: Chapters 13 and 18

I found it to be very interesting that underemployed workers include individuals who work either full- or part-time, but are unable to use their skills and knowledge acquired during their education or training. In fact, fifty-four percent of participants in a Gallup poll said that their current position did not allow them to fully utilize their skills (Hoyt & Lester, 1995, as cited in Brown, 2012). I found this to be concerning as a graduate student funding their own education. It raises questions like, “Why are people putting themselves into so much debt to earn a degree they aren’t going to use?” “Is a well-rounded liberal arts education practical these days, or should we prepare individuals for the specific job they will be doing?” These, as well as many others, are important questions for our nation to consider, especially since we are in the midst of a national debt crisis. In addition, how do we resolve this present dilemma? Certainly we do not want to stifle future generations’ educational ambitions; however, we do need to be more practical about things.

Therefore, I think it is imperative that career counselors consider trends in the job market as well as expected circumstances in the future. Like Brown (2012) mentioned, it will be very important that young people considering their future careers, as well as “nontraditional” students such as those making a career switch, have access to career information. Due to the overwhelming amount of information available through the internet, it will important for career counselors to help clients navigate their way through this abundance of information. Like Brown (2012) mentioned, information about job openings, salaries, and required skills will be easily accessible online, but clients may need help developing and tailoring a resume specific to each job application. Similarly, the career counselor’s work may move more exclusively to online. I am wondering if the career counselor’s role will become more about helping people find and secure jobs than develop an educational plan to achieve those career goals. According to another Gallup poll, more and more Americans need assistance in finding jobs (Brown, 2012).

Considering my own personal experience, I can say that it was never in my original plan to become a TSS, like I currently am. While my career plans have certainly shifted and been tweaked over the years, my plan during undergraduate studies was to get accepted into a Doctoral program, complete my Ph.D., then start working as a clinician. I also considered going into academia more for the sake of actually teaching than conducting research. However, plans changed when I was only offered admission to a Master’s program. The dream of becoming a professor was put on hold (well, sort of. It may have been eliminated. I’m not sure yet!), while the possibility of being a clinician was only slightly modified. It never even crossed my mind during undergrad that my plans may have been slightly unrealistic, or at least highly unlikely on the first try. I never even heard of the term “TSS” until after I graduated and was considering what I could “actually do” with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Clearly, I am not part of the 40% of individuals Brown (2012) mentioned who were in their current position because of planning.

Brown, D. (2012). Career development in postsecondary educational institutions. In Career information, career counseling, and career development (10th ed., pp.292-312). New York: Pearson Education, Inc.

Brown, D. (2012). Trends and issues in career information, the job search, and career development programming. In Career information, career counseling, and career development (10th ed., pp.373-383). New York: Pearson Education, Inc.