Pursuing a Career in Counseling
explanatory Essay
886 words
The choices we make early in life have an enormous impact on our future. I have always known that I wanted to directly impact people’s lives and my personal experiences have set me on the school-counseling path. In the future, I would love to influence another generation of students to soar for their dreams. During the past three years of college, my interest in counseling has been affirmed through a variety of experiences. One important experience that influenced my decision to pursue a career as a school counselor was my involvement in my community service sorority, Chi Delta Alpha. Through Chi Delta Alpha, I volunteered on several occasions, among them I babysat children to provide parents with a night off; I was responsible for a group of elementary students as they experienced college classes and I painted a caboose for a local playground. A theme that has remained constant throughout all my different experiences is that making a difference in a person’s life is a rewarding experience, and I know that I desire a career that enables me to support high school students as they face difficult situations. Another experience that has shaped my decision to become a school counselor has been my continuing work with VCU’s Addiction and Women’s Health: Advancing Research and Evaluation (A.W.H.A.R.E.) Research Team under the direction of Dr. Dace Svikis. With the A.W.H.A.R.E. Research Team, I work with at-risk pregnant women. I have had the opportunity to inform women about our studies, conduct interviews, and enter data into the SPSS dataset. However, more importantly I have witnessed the struggles faced by people with limited resources. Through my experience, I know that my interest lies in directly influencing individuals to b... ... middle of paper ... ... for problem reduction and prevention and I can help students create meaningful lives for themselves with the partnership of their families, the community and schools. The accelerated school counseling program with the yearlong internship is another reason I am interested in the University of North Carolina. The yearlong internship will be the most beneficial aspect of the program because of the opportunity to fully develop relationships with both students and staff, as well as have the opportunity to handle a wide range of issues that occur during a school year. I look forward to attending graduate school for school counseling. Attending the University of North Carolina will allow me the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to aid students facing a variety of difficult situations. I am ready to take the next step in my career as a school counselor.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the choices we make early in life have an enormous impact on our future. they would love to influence another generation of students to soar for their dreams.
- Explains that their interest in counseling has been affirmed through a variety of experiences, including involvement in their community service sorority, chi delta alpha.
- Describes their work with the addiction and women's health: advancing research and evaluation research team at vcu.
- Explains that psychology is relevant to every individual's life, and test anxiety and effects of divorce in adolescence caught their interest.
- Explains that their interest in the effects of divorce during the teenage years attracts them to the university of north carolina. they know community asset mapping would be beneficial to students because of the importance of family on an individual.
- Explains that they plan to work as a high school counselor after receiving their masters degree. high school was the most exciting, but also most stressful time in their life.
- Opines that the university of north carolina's strengths-based school counseling training with the focus on strengths promotion is a beneficial training model and emphasizes the importance of learning the skills necessary to promote evidence-based strength promoting environments.
- Opines that the accelerated school counseling program with the yearlong internship is another reason they are interested in the university of north carolina.
- Opines that attending the university of north carolina will allow them to develop the skills necessary to aid students facing a variety of difficult situations.
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- Statement Of Purpose For Early School Counseloropinion essayI have seen that The Masters of School Counseling degree provides students with a chance to learn more about their inner selves and abilities. Not only will this program prepare me for life beyond the classroom, but it will also provide me with the opportunity to offer the needed support to the students with whom I will be working. When students develop a positive and trustworthy relationship with a School Counselor, there is no limit to the things that they can accomplish. School systems shouldn’t just teach content knowledge, they should also offer real world experience. Sharing simple things about our lives can be used as a tool when teaching. I feel that students can overcome obstacles they have experienced in their lives and begin to find many successes that encourage them to be the best that they can be. One of the biggest ways I think children find success is when their curiosity creates creativity “getting the wheels turning”. During my undergraduate program at Piedmont College, I observed in many classes in which it was clear the students had a variety of abilities and skills. While observing techniques that the teachers utilized I learned that there is a great deal of strategy involved in teaching, mentoring and guiding
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the master of school counseling program provides a direct path to their career goals of helping students comprehend subject matter while learning to love learning as they do.
- Explains that the school counselor program at the adam's university is invaluable in helping them achieve their career goals. they believe that children find success when their curiosity creates creativity.
- Opines that school officials can affect student's lives whether it be positive or negative. they believe that everyone deserves the same rights and opportunities and that a wide range of concepts can strengthen the confidence of students and teachers.
- Describes how they would be honored to be a part of the school counseling program at adams state university.
868 wordsRead More - Graduation Speech : A Latina Growing Up Into New York City With Parents From The Dominican Republicexplanatory essayAt this time, I became a group leader in an after-school program for a 3rd-grade class. This was my first time working with children and as imagined, it was a tough transition. The students were Latino and African American, living in poverty stricken neighborhoods with a dysfunctional home life. The program focused on students who were at risk of retention. A large number of students were below average and had been recommended to receive extra academic support. As a result of my time spent working and learning with the students, I choose an educational path.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that as a latina growing up in new york city with parents from the dominican republic, they knew the difficulties of living in poverty.
- Describes how they became group leader in an after-school program for a 3rd-grade class. the students were latino and african-american, living in poverty-stricken neighborhoods with dysfunctional home life.
- Describes how they became an assistant teacher at an early childhood education center in a low-income neighborhood with numerous students who needed extra support due to behavioral and emotional disorders. they began working one on one with him to understand why he didn't communicate verbally.
- Explains that the student's mother was concerned if trauma was the cause of his violent outburst. the student enrolled in a charter school that had the proper personnel to provide assessments and services.
- Explains that in high-poverty neighborhoods, there are substance abuse, gang violence, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence and temporary housing. in elementary schools, parents are responsible for getting their child to school.
- Explains that most public schools don't have a social worker on staff to assist families with social issues. an increase of social workers in schools can reduce the number of students chronically absent and getting retained.
- Explains that their experience working with children led them to the silberman school of social work at hunter college to pursue a graduate degree in child welfare. traumatic events can cause lower iqs, behavioral and emotional disorders, and cognitive delays in children.
- Describes how the seminar on cognitive behavioral therapy helped them with selective mutism. they look forward to meeting robert abramovitz, md, who has done incredible work with young children.
- Explains that they've realized that the only way to reach their career and personal goal is by obtaining an msw. they expect to be challenged as a student and professional.
1095 wordsRead More - Clinical Social Work as a Careerexplanatory essayChoosing a career is a very important aspect to people’s lives. One goes to college, usually around the age of eighteen, and by the time they leave they are expected to have decided on the career that they will have for the rest of their lives. Being a psychology and interpersonal communication major, I have always had an interest on relationships between individuals given certain stimuli presented to them. I want to have the ability to touch people’s lives by helping them understand themselves and why they behave the way in which they behave. Relationships are such an important aspect to the process of human growth, and they impact each and every one of us. Due to this assessment of myself, I have decided to go to college to pursue my goals of being a clinical social worker.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that choosing a career is an important aspect to people's lives. they want to have the ability to help people understand themselves and why they behave the way they do.
- Explains that becoming a social worker is dependent on numerous factors, one of which is education. a bachelor's degree in social work is the most common minimum requirement, however majors in psychology, sociology, and related fields may be sufficient to qualify for some entry-level job.
- Opines that social workers must be goal-oriented with high leadership abilities. employers want people who are able to stand up to the demands of the public and to be known in the community.
- Opines that social workers must be able to adapt themselves to the public and utilize the community resources to help solve problems.
- Explains that being team-oriented is a crucial aspect of being an effective social worker. they state that social workers must be emotionally mature, objective, and sensitive to people and their problems.
- Opines that social work is the right profession for people interested in helping improve people's lives.
- Explains that they will be graduating with a bachelor's degree with psychology and interpersonal communication as their majors.
- Explains that they are very involved in the community around them and have taken on many leadership roles. they donate money from their paycheck each week for the united way.
- Describes how they learned how to adapt to their surroundings after working as a student tech at croyden ave. school.
- Opines that working in teams is something they must improve on if they want to become a social worker.
- Opines that they are headed in the right direction for their field of interest, but also what they need to work on.
- Explains that they were not planning on graduating from western michigan university in four years with a double major, but now they plan on going to graduate school next august.
- Opines that they would like to take more classes on relationships, but in the field of sociology, since employers prefer that in becoming a social worker.
- Explains that being a clinical social worker has been their dream since they were young, and they are ready to make any changes necessary to pursue this endeavor.
- Cites bill, n., and orr, l. on working with people: the helping process.
- Explains johnson's social work practice: a generalist practice. allyn andbacon, singapore: library of congress cataloging.
- Explains that roberts, a., & greene, g. (2002) social workers' desk reference.
1946 wordsRead More - The Role of Counselingexplanatory essayThe Role of Counseling A study performed in 1992, reported approximately 3,400,000 youth had failed to complete high school and were not enrolled in high school (Starr 1998). This statistic is based on the United States where job competition has greatly increased due to technology. Many of these student lacked the support and training necessary to succeed in today’s society. Currently in every high school across the nation, there is a person responsible for offering support and training to the youth of America. Available for all students is a guidance counselor.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that students' perceptions of their counselors' expectations about their post-secondary plans suggest a need for improvement within the school-counseling field.
- Explains that a study performed in 1992 reported approximately 3,400,000 youth had failed to complete high school and were not enrolled in high-school. counselors are responsible for providing support and training to the youth of america.
- Explains that a guidance counselor is an important element in the formation of post high school plans.
- Explains that college courses and the junior reserve office training corps (jrotc) are offered in high schools to prepare students for their post-high school plans.
- Explains that as the job market changes so do the skills needed to succeed in the market.
- Explains that diversity is an important concept for counselors to consistently focus on — it can be found in gender, ethnic origin, spirituality, race, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status.
- Explains that students in the college preparatory environment experienced the least amount of stress when they felt as if they were in control of their lives and were supported by surrounding individuals.
1742 wordsRead More - An Overview of Individual Counseling Therapy Optionsanalytical essayErford, B. T. (2011). Transforming the School Counseling Profession, 3d Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the role of a counselor is dependent on the relationship established by the therapist (clinician) with the client.
- Explains that adlerian theory is a therapeutic approach that is focused on the individual’s background. adler split from freud due to his theory of individual psychology.
- Analyzes how alfred adler's phenomenological approach to treating a client is less deterministic than freudian psychoanalysis.
- Explains that adlerian therapy is a four-stage process, which includes the establishment of the therapeutic alliance and goal setting, the assessment, analysis, and interpretation, reorientation, reinforcement, termination and follow-up.
- Analyzes the strengths and limitations of adlerian therapy. adler's ideas on individual psychology can be easily combined with many contemporary treatment approaches.
- Explains that the next therapeutic approach is cognitive behavioral therapy, or cbt. the founding father of cognitive therapy is aaron beck.
- Describes solution-focused brief therapy, an action-based theory from the beta treatment system of counseling. there is no one signal creator, or inventor of sfbt.
- Explains that the therapeutic goals of solution-focused brief therapy are to identify a solvable complaint. the clinician's role is to design an intervention, strategic task, and positive new behaviors.
- Opines that they prefer a combination of different therapies, from background to action based, as they begin to understand the various forms of treatment methods used by therapists.
- Explains that the clinician/client relationship is an extremely critical component of adlerian therapy and can be described as a "therapeutic alliance".
- Explains that aaron beck's approach to individual counseling is that an individual is guilty of dysfunctional thought which causes psychological disturbances and each mental disorder is characterized by underlying cognitive distortions.
- Explains that the therapeutic goal of cbt is to assist people in recognizing and correcting the error in their information-processing systems. the client/clinician relationship must be a sound therapeutic alliance.
- Explains that cognitive behavioral therapy is best suited for a variety of populations and circumstances due to extensive research on the effectiveness of his approach.
- Explains the key concept of sfbt, which is a focus on the present and the future rather than the past.
- Explains that the best use of solution-focused brief therapy is with clients with personality disorders, impulse control disorders and substance abuse disorders.
- Explains the asca national model: a framework for school counseling programs. erford, b. t., seligman, & reichenberg, l. w.
2620 wordsRead More - What Is Social Work Essayexplanatory essayAs a group, we chose to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, a charity organization that builds new homes for families in need. The day of the project, before we started construction, we had the opportunity to meet the family and listen to their stories of hardship and resilience. We then worked all day, through inclement weather, to assemble the first walls of the house. On this day, I discovered a part of myself that I never knew was missing and it was at this moment, when the first walls were being placed, that I realized my passion for social work. Once in college, I quickly joined a variety of service groups as well as, volunteered for various school positions and joined numerous leadership programs. I knew I wanted to peruse a career helping others, though, I was still unclear on what line of services I wanted to devote myself to. Sophomore year rolled around and I, along with many others, dealt with a life-changing experience that provided me clarity with regard to determining what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing. I quickly made a close niche of friends who started coming to me with their personal problems. Like any good friend would do, I listened and provided feedback when appropriate. One day, a close friend
In this essay, the author
- Describes their first year working in social work as rewarding, challenging, and exhilarating. gaining hands-on experience in the field has confirmed their decision to pursue a master's degree in social work.
- Describes how they first became interested in social work as a student at syosset high school, where they enrolled in an elective course entitled community health, and volunteered for habitat for humanity.
- Narrates how they made a niche of friends who came to them with their personal problems. they listened and provided feedback when appropriate.
- Recounts how their college senior year was filled with excitement and energy, but one night, they had to break the horrifying news to one of their truest and closest friends. they believe nobody should have to lose their lives to this horrible disease.
- Opines that respect and compassion are the two most important qualities to possess when working in this field.
- Describes their role as a residential counselor in the mica recovery program and their desire to utilize fordham/molloy's on-line hybrid program.
1452 wordsRead More - Importance Of A Career As A School Counselorexplanatory essayI cannot recall a more rewarding experience than helping facilitate a child’s education while enabling parent participation alike. These experiences have drawn me to my current position as an Educational Assistant where I am constantly interacting and establishing relationships with students, learning about their goals and aspirations. It is that same desire to empower our future students that has steered me towards a career as a school counselor. By enrolling in the Masters in counseling program, I aspire to develop methods and experience to become an effective, experienced, and adaptable school counselor that promotes self-awareness, allowing students to realize their full potential and impetus them towards a promising future. I want to learn skills that facilitate personal and career development, ensuring that our students grow accomplishing their goals and ambitions. To discover techniques that help students improve in all areas of academic achievement, establishing relationships with students and parents alike. By becoming a school counselor, I am determined to become an advocate for underserved youth. I aim to become an effective agent educational reform, providing support for students in the various institutions that may disempower
In this essay, the author
- Narrates how their family migrated to california from mexico and struggled to put a roof over their heads. they were taught the importance of education and excelled academically.
- Explains that they were a first generation scholar and learned about the struggles and obstacles that come with college education. they were reminded of their parents and the values they had instilled.
- Describes how their first experience working in an educational setting came from working as a translator for the aurora public school district.
- Opines that the roaring fork school district pre-collegiate program is a prime example of how stable support and assistance can do in the long run.
- Explains that giving back has always been important to them, especially when you have already received so much. they are currently working on a robotics club for their 4th and 5th graders at park lane elementary school.
- Opines that they are a great candidate for the school counseling program and would be honored to represent the university of colorado and continue its legacy of educational equity and integrity.
1291 wordsRead More - My Career In Social Workexplanatory essayGrowing up in a society where there are so many opportunities, I had no problem figuring out what I wanted to do with my life. I have always enjoyed helping others in any way that I was able too. From babysitting, raking leaves, serving as a volunteer for a number of organizations, no matter how big or small the need, I have always found it gratifying to help others. I ultimately recognized that I had to pursue a career in something that would allow me to help others, while positively giving back to the community. The heavy influence of wanting to help others comes from my very own personal life experiences, which have greatly impacted my career choices. These experiences include being an adopted child, volunteering within my community, serving as a resident assistant and
In this essay, the author
- Explains that they had no problem figuring out what they wanted to do with their life, since they have always enjoyed helping others in any way they were able. their personal life experiences have greatly impacted their career choices.
- Describes how their biological parents struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for a long period of time, which made it difficult to care for them and their eight siblings.
- Opines that the whitney m. young jr. school of social work master's program will give them the knowledge and skills they need to work with developmentally disabled individuals and foster youth.
- Explains their interest in behavioral and mental health stems from internships at dove pointe, inc., a facility serving the developmentally and intellectually disabled community.
- Opines that attending clark atlanta university would be a dream fulfilled on their path to educational success.
1265 wordsRead More - Autobiographical Statement For Social Workexplanatory essayThrough my experiences, I have come to the realization that I would like to be a school social worker. I have persevered in spite of the disadvantages I had early on in life. I displayed my commitment to social justice, leadership abilities, and have been awarded as Program Director of the Prison Justice Project. Lastly, at Cunningham Children’s Home I learned what it means to be a social worker in a diverse community of children. My experiences have made me certain that being a school social worker is the best decision for my life.
In this essay, the author
- Describes their role as program director of the prison justice project, whose mission is to bring social justice and awareness to issues pertaining to incarceration.
- Explains that the school-to-prison pipeline is one of the largest injustices that children face today.
- Explains that they are uniquely qualified for the masters in social work program at the university of washington.
- Explains that their internship at cunningham children's home prompted the discovery that they wanted to be a social worker.
- Opines that education is the single most valuable resource for success, yet its application remains unequal. the pipeline is racially, economically, and ethnically discriminatory.
- Explains that the education system targets children when they are older and less malleable. they would promote positive behavioral interventions and supports, and conscious discipline in disciplinary actions.
1265 wordsRead More - Interview with a High School Counselorexplanatory essaySchool counseling has evolved over the years into a significant component of the educational system. School counselors are taking on new roles in schools as leaders, working with “school administration and staff in developing student attitudes and behavior which are necessary to maintain proper control, acceptable standards of self-discipline and a suitable learning environment within the school” (Secondary School Counselor 2012). Counselors work in “diverse community settings designed to provide a variety of counseling, rehabilitation, and support services” (Counselors, 2010). When working in a school district as a counselor, you can either be an elementary school counselor, middle school counselor or a high school counselor. This essays explores a recent interview with a high school counselor.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that mr. ryland's responsibilities as head school counselor are vital to sandy creek high school.
- Explains that california school counselors renew their credential every five years. the state of california believes that professional growth should be guided by goals and priorities that relate to enhanced competence, performance, and effectiveness in the education of students.
- Explains the purpose of evaluations: to improve the counselor's performance, to promote accountability and encourage professional growth.
- Explains that mr. ryland's involvement in school activities, projects, and affairs enhances his abilities as a leader. he works hard to decrease the amount of bullying at sandy creek high school.
- Opines that education reform in the united states is about setting the academic standards for what students should learn and be able to do.
- Explains that school counseling has evolved over the years as a component of the educational system, but there are still many programs out there to help students that are in need.
- Explains that counselors. (2010). united states department of labor.
- Cites the professional growth manual, which is available at the california commission on teacher credentialing website.
- Explains that school counselors are taking on new roles in schools as leaders, working with school administration and staff in developing student attitudes and behavior.
1824 wordsRead More