Final Blog

          When looking at the job trends that are projected to occur by 2018, I was first surprised that textile labor would decrease especially since clothes are a necessity and fashion is a preoccupation in the United States (Brown, 2012). After reading the explanation by Brown (2012), it would make sense that these jobs are being sent to other countries for production since the cost of manufacturing would be less than in the United States. Since the use of technology is increasing, I wonder why the availability of compute operator positions will decrease by 18.6% (Brown, 2012, Table 17.1). I would have thought that there would be an increase in these jobs especially since typical labor jobs are being replaced by technology. It makes sense that there would be an increase in nurses and home health care aides since the elderly population is increasing in size. I am wondering how this will change once Obama Care is successfully implemented. I would think that there would be a greater demand for nurses, nursing assistants, and physician assistants once hospitals and health care agencies incorporate Obama Care policies. Supervisory positions are expected to also increase by 111.9% by 2018 (Brown, 2012, Table 17.2). This statistic does not explain the fields in which these supervisor positions will become available, i.e. business, medical science, etc.

            Dr. Hill’s lecture was informative and I can see many applications to career development and counseling. One of the most influential concepts from his lecture was neurogenesis. The brain, more specifically the prefrontal cortex, does not fully develop until the age of 25. One of the main functions of the prefrontal cortex is executive functioning which includes critical thinking and attentional processes. With this in mind, it would make sense for individuals to attend to some post-secondary education or skills development programs to engage in exploration and further the development of interests. This would also increase the chance for the individual to make effective choices about their career pathway. The career counselor can help encourage adolescents and young adults to explore programs instead of entering the world of work right after high school graduation. Another piece of information that was beneficial from this lecture was the explanation of the soft symptoms of a concussion. I have heard of post-concussion syndrome which encompasses many of the soft symptomology of a concussion. The differentiation between post-concussion syndrome and soft symptoms of a concussion will not only affect treatment but also influence the continuance of services for individuals who have experienced head trauma. Career counselors can also use this information to help their clients adapt to their symptomology by reinforcing learned skills. The career counselor can also help clients obtain adaptations in the work setting and become aware of their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

 

Brown, D. (2012). Trends in the Labor Market and the Factors That Shape Them. In Career Information, Career Counseling, and Career Development (10th ed., pp. 362-371). New York: Pearson Education, Inc.