week 10

            Granello (2001) explains the use of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives.  Prior to reading this article, I struggled understanding how a literature review is supposed to flow.  It seemed nearly impossible to put 10 articles into a 2,000-2,500-word essay, but by reading Granello’s work, I am now able to conceptualize how this will work.  It was helpful to read some of my peers’ work and what their approach looks like.  I think receiving feedback will benefit our final project as we try to put everything together and come up with a presentation as we increase the cognitive level of our own writing. 

            Brown discusses some important aspects of career counseling for those who are in postsecondary school.  I do not believe there are enough opportunities for students to actually understand how important these services can be.  Though Millersville had the services for students to utilize, unless educated on the importance of the services, it is unlikely students will use them unless it is mandatory, or until it is their senior year.  For myself, I was fortunate to be offered a job I love at the facility where I did my internship.  If I was not so lucky to be offered my job, I am not sure what I would have done.  I did not go to career counseling except after undergrad to help on my resume and cover letters for graduate school. 

            It is important schools and counselors try to educate students in the changes and trends in the work force (Brown, 2007).  I remember taking a philosophy class in undergrad and how much the professor encouraged to think about majoring in philosophy.  Philosophy makes for fun conversation, but what exactly can you do with it after graduating, besides teach it?  I think universities need to become more actively involved in helping students explore feasible options. 

            Technological advances are changing the ways companies conduct their interviews, requiring over the phone, video/Skype interviewing, and recorded interviews (Brown, 2007). In my opinion, this may add an additional element of stress to the interviewee.  The interviewee may fear something going wrong with their internet, their computer not being powerful enough to handle to required program, or their ability to express and understand language without seeing the interviewers facial expressions.   Of course, I can see a few positives to interviewing through technological means, such as saving time and money to travel (such as to another state), allowing the interviewer to interview multiple candidates in a brief period of time, or possibly test one’s flexibility and technological abilities.

            Now that most job opportunities are posted on the Internet, it makes the process extremely competitive (Brown, 2007).  Students need to utilize their counselors to find the best ways to be recognized.  Also, doing hands on learning such as internships and volunteer jobs will aid students in gaining valuable experience for their resumes, often something many college students overlook as they are focused on graduating. 

References

Brown, D. (2007).  Career information, career counseling, and career development  (9^h ed.).  New York: Pearson Education, Inc.

Granello, D. H.  (2001).  Promoting cognitive complexity in graduate written work: Using Bloom's taxonomy as a pedagogical tool to improve literature reviews.  Counselor Education & Supervision, 40, 292-307.