Maria Chang-Calderon, PhD(c), MSHR
Point Of View
Employment, well-being, and quality of life are closely tied for several reasons. Gainful employment contributes to financial freedom, the ability to pay for wants and needs, and the enjoyment of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Predictors of success at work include employment history, psychiatric diagnosis, and the ability to manage one's condition. An Advantage Program career management counselor is not looking to spell out limitations; they are there to help create the life you want.
Career management counseling does not include job placement services; however, it addresses how to stay competitively employed. This entails assessing one's strengths, weaknesses, and workplace conditions. Career coaching is based on identifying immediate problems and successes in the workplace and finding the indicators that will help an individual maintain or improve his/her performance.
If there are issues due to stigma that need to be dealt with in the workplace, the career management counselor can help clients identify what resources are available to them to ensure their rights are protected. The counselor encourages clients to make use of the Integrated Team, managing their condition with the help of trusted therapists, friends, family, and health care providers.
Integration With Team
Success at work requires having positive work relationships and a network of support outside the workplace. The clients will be guided to identify persons that can support them if they feel that fluctuations in energy levels, depression, or symptoms of mania require acknowledgement and consideration. It is helpful to keep the therapist and other team members informed about personal challenges, adverse reactions to various conditions, or negative symptoms like issues related to secondary effects of medications. In the same way, team members will need to be advised if positive changes occur that may contribute to a better work experience.
This information can help to fine tune suggestions by therapists and create a more realistic discussion by the entire team regarding work place issues and plans for changing career paths. Improved strength in other areas will provide a sound foundation for change in the workplace if the client chooses to undertake that challenge.
Assessment Process
The assessment process requires the client to create an inventory list of strengths and weaknesses with the help of a career management professional. This paves the way to build on strengths as a foundation for enhanced performance.
There are several assessment tools that identify strengths and increase self-awareness. Three recommended assessment tools include the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality test, 360 Degree Review, and the Big Five Personality Test. The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) allows clients to learn more about themselves and career options. The 360 Degree Review allows the client to obtain input from fellow employees from all hierarchical levels. The Big Five Personality Test is another assessment that is not strictly career-oriented, but provides insight that can be applied to careers, such as how one ranks in the following scales: close-minded vs. open to new experiences, disorganized vs. conscientious, introverted vs. extraverted, disagreeable vs. agreeable, and calm vs. high strung. A career management counselor will help to identify which assessment tool would be best for each individual from the many that are available and discuss the meaning of the results.
Goal Setting
Career goals must be aligned with one's values, preferences, knowledge, skills, and abilities in order to develop a career maintenance and/or development plan that will result in goals being met. Once an individual's inventory of strengths and weaknesses has been discussed, it is necessary to discuss short- and long-term goals and how they can be met by taking steps to build on what is already working. The goal setting process should include a discussion with trusted advisors, friends and/or relatives to ensure the goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-framed). Discussing your goals with trusted individuals within your support network can lead to obtaining valuable feedback that will help further refine your career goals to ensure success.
Treatment
Career management counseling services are individualized sessions requiring meeting with the advisor at least once a week in the beginning and less frequent once the plan has been fully implemented. Sessions are conducted by phone or in person. E-mail sessions are discouraged because having a flow of dialogue is important to understand the context of the problem and to consult appropriately. In addition, participating in an employment support group that addresses common employment issues can be beneficial.
Comments are closed.