Barclay_D_Career Self-Assessment Assignment

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BENCHMARK: CAREER SELF-ASSESSMENT 1 Career Self-Assessment & Exploration Assignment Daniel Barclay Liberty University Online Author Note Daniel Barclay I have no known conflict of interest to disclose. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Daniel Barclay, Email:
BENCHMARK: CAREER SELF-ASSESSMENT 2 dsbarclay@liberty.edu. Abstract This essay explores my career self-assessment and the path I have chosen in Marriage and Family Therapy. It delves into the results of career instruments like the O*NET Interest Profiler and values assessments, highlighting the alignment between my values and the counseling profession. The essay discusses the nature of work, work conditions, qualifications, opportunities, and challenges within Marriage and Family Therapy. It also emphasizes the potential economic and non-economic benefits of this career, while considering potential drawbacks like stress and emotional conflicts. Lastly, I reflect on my open-minded approach as a future Christian therapist and my aim to bridge the gap between my faith and diverse worldviews to help clients find healing and understanding in their lives.
BENCHMARK: CAREER SELF-ASSESSMENT 3 Career Self-Assessment & Exploration Assignment Part I: Career Self-Assessment Career Instrument Results John Holland's theory illustrates the connection between personality traits and suitable career choices, grounded in four core principles. These principles revolve around the idea that most individuals can be grouped into one of six categories: conventional, enterprising, social, artistic, investigative, or realistic (Niles et al., 2021). In tandem with these categories, there exist six distinct environmental types. Another pivotal premise is that individuals seek out environments that enable them to engage with appealing challenges and adopt roles that align with their expertise, values, and principles (Niles et al., 2021). Lastly, the theory posits that an individual's actions actively shape the relationship between their personality and the elements of their surroundings (Niles et al., 2021). The scores I received on the O*NET Interest Profiler revealed to me that my highest scores were in the categories of Social (23), Artistic (13), and Enterprising (1). I did not score anything in the other three categories of Conventional, Realistic, and Investigative. Scoring high in the Social category implies that the individual finds satisfaction in collaborating with others to facilitate their development and progress and that they derive greater enjoyment from interacting with people as opposed to working with inanimate objects, machinery, or data (National Center for O*NET Development, 2023). Scoring high in the Artistic category implies that the individual enjoys jobs that involve the creative aspects of life, such as acting, music, visual arts, and design (National Center for O*NET Development, 2023). Those who score high in the Enterprising category prefer occupations related to initiating and
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BENCHMARK: CAREER SELF-ASSESSMENT 4 executing business ventures. They thrive on taking decisive actions rather than contemplating endlessly (National Center for O*NET Development, 2023). My primary values identified by taking the values assessment are ‘being around people who are open and honest’, ‘meaningful work’, and ‘inner harmony’. Being around individuals who are open and honest helps to generate emotional support, transparency of intentions, and a sense of openness needed to hold one another accountable and encourage continuous growth. I believe that honest and open individuals are needed for a sense of genuine teamwork that I truly value and seek out whenever and wherever possible. Meaningful work can be defined as work that is deeply cared for and geared toward making a significant impact. It can also be characterized as work that inspires one to continue doing it. Lastly, inner harmony is a top value of mine because a sense of harmony is what I am naturally drawn to in all that I do. My sense of inner harmony or my striving for it helps guide the decisions I make. It also provides me with the empathy needed to find common ground with others and to meet those I am talking with wherever they currently find themselves spiritually and emotionally. Based on these identified values, I have identified two potential career paths: Marriage and Family Therapy and Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counseling, both of which require extensive schooling and/or licensure. The decision-making factors from Horton’s (2009) article that I found important for not only making career decisions, but for making all decisions in my life were consulting wise counsel, depending on a sense of inner peace from the Holy Spirit, considering personal strengths, talents, gifts, and abilities, and recognizing and responding to the needs of others. Additionally, the approach from the Horton (2009) article that was most in line with my values was the Relationship-Formation approach. The article stated that this approach emphasizes that
BENCHMARK: CAREER SELF-ASSESSMENT 5 spiritual growth comes before relying on fixed spiritual formulas and that while the Scriptures play a pivotal role in this growth, our decisions are rooted in our relationship with God and how we perceive God's influence in our lives (Horton, 2009). I believe that a Christian should be aiming to develop the character of Christ above all other endeavors. One verse that aligns with this perspective that I hold dear to my heart is 1 John 2:6, which states “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did” ( New International Bible , 1978/2011). Personal Reactions While nothing new was ultimately revealed to me, The O*NET Interest Profiler offered me a new way to assist others in identifying their skills, abilities, and inclinations. This assessment incorporated personality domains such as realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional, which play a pivotal role in determining ideal career paths based on personal attributes. However, there was nothing new to me revealed through taking it. I have known for quite some time that I am inclined to both artistically and socially focused pursuits. Unlike the The O*NET Interest Profiler, the value sorting activity provided me with a more profound understanding of my personal values and how they connect with my desired occupation. I think that ‘being around people who are open and honest’, ‘meaningful work’, and ‘inner harmony’ serve as the foundation for everything that I find purpose and meaning in. The Spiritual Discernment survey and the Horton (2009) article in general provided me with a further understanding of the various ways in which we all connect with God and seek His guidance. I found solace and reassurance in the idea that there is not one way to connect and seek guidance from God. I felt affirmed by seeing that I am not alone in the ways that I make decisions utilizing spiritual pathways.
BENCHMARK: CAREER SELF-ASSESSMENT 6 Discovering the optimal career path is more complex than it might seem, contrary to what some people suggest. These three instruments provided diverse viewpoints for evaluating the most suitable career decision. I found that the outcomes of my self-assessments align with my current self-image. I am driven by making positive change happen in the lives of others, and I use creative strategies to achieve that end which vary from person to person. I find meaningful work in doing this, I am guided by a sense of inner harmony with God, and both values are found more frequently depending on how open and honest the individuals with whom I am interacting are. As per the author's perspective, when an individual possesses personality traits closely aligned with their chosen occupation or work environment, they experience a strong sense of alignment with their career path (Niles et al., 2021). This congruence leads to a heightened sense of satisfaction and contentment within their chosen field (Niles et al., 2021). I have found that all these values seem to be harmoniously joined together by the profession of counseling/therapy, and I believe that is the reason that I have arrived at the career path I am currently on. Evaluation of Instruments The primary aim of all three assessment instruments is to assist individuals in recognizing their personality traits, values, and decision-making approaches to pinpoint an occupation that aligns well with their characteristics. I have found these assessments valuable. However, individuals with contrasting viewpoints, diverse values, or different cultural backgrounds may not perceive these assessments as equitable, primarily because they do not account for cultural factors such as whether the individual comes from a collectivistic or individualistic culture. Regarding factors such as race, age, or gender, they had only a minor influence on the assessment outcomes. While I did experience certain technological problems with my computer, I believe these issues had a limited impact on my responses to the assessments.
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BENCHMARK: CAREER SELF-ASSESSMENT 7 Conceptualization The identified personal values, interests, and vocational motivators indicated by these assessments have further assured me that I am currently pursuing what I should be pursuing, which is licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist. I place great importance on improving the lives of others and I find meaning in that. Therapeutic success has been tied to the willingness of the client to change, and my value of being around open and honest people drives me to find the best way to motivate and maneuver a client or multiple clients toward openness and honesty. My belief in the importance of spiritual formation and becoming increasingly Christlike as is emphasized by the Relationship-Formation approach described in the Horton (2009) article not only guides me in my pursuit of helping others and finding meaning in my work, but it helps me do so without compromising my sense of inner peace. By taking these assessments, I have observed that the profession of counseling/therapy serves as a unifying force for all these personal values, interests, and methods of spiritual pursuit and discernment, and I believe this is the primary reason I've chosen the career path that I have. Part II: Occupational Exploration Career Field and Occupation of Choice Introduction Unless specified otherwise, the career-related details provided in this paper were sourced from O NET Online (National Center for O NET Development, 2023). I have decided to focus on the Marriage and Family Therapy profession, which is categorized under the O*NET SOC Code 21-1013.00. Nature of Work
BENCHMARK: CAREER SELF-ASSESSMENT 8 Marriage and Family Therapists carry out a diverse range of tasks aimed at assisting individuals and families in effectively addressing their challenges. Some of these tasks and challenges include fostering the development and utilization of constructive problem-solving skills, employing questioning techniques to help clients understand their emotions and behaviors, creating customized treatment plans addressing family relationship issues and personal concerns, maintaining comprehensive case records, providing counsel on various concerns such as relationship difficulties and financial problems, and gathering client information through interviews and assessments (National Center for O*NET Development, 2023). To accomplish these tasks, Marriage and Family Therapists use various strategies, techniques, and counseling theories to identify the needs of individuals and families and guide them to improved states. The National Center for O*NET Development (2023) describes the work context as consisting of constant face-to-face discussions, frequent decision-making, and indoors in a controlled environment. Work Conditions Marriage and family therapists work in diverse settings, including private practices, mental health clinics, hospitals, schools, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations (BLS, 2021). They interact extensively with clients and their families, providing counseling and support for various emotional and relational issues (BLS, 2021). To accommodate clients' schedules, therapists often have flexible work hours, including evenings and weekends (BLS, 2021). They maintain detailed case files, ensuring proper documentation of client progress and treatment plans. Collaboration with other healthcare professionals, such as psychologists and social workers, is common, as therapists aim to provide comprehensive care (BLS, 2021).
BENCHMARK: CAREER SELF-ASSESSMENT 9 Given the emotional demands of their work, therapists must manage their emotional well- being. They adhere to strict ethical and legal standards, particularly regarding client confidentiality. Some therapists may need to travel to meet clients or work in multiple locations. Ongoing training and supervision are essential to stay current and maintain professional licenses and certifications. The working conditions can vary depending on factors such as location and specialization, but therapists play a crucial role in helping individuals and families navigate complex emotional and relational challenges (BLS, 2021). Preparation and Qualification To become a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) in Indiana, one must follow a set of qualifications and steps. First, one should complete a bachelor's degree. Next, one should pursue a master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from an accredited program, which usually spans two years. Typically, clinical experience is gained by completing around 2,000 to 4,000 supervised hours, working with clients, couples, and families under the guidance of a licensed MFT. After these steps, one must pass the national licensing examination for Marriage and Family Therapy, administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB), and apply for state licensure through the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board or the relevant state authority. Opportunities and Future Outlook According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) (2021), The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a positive outlook for the career of marriage and family therapy as of my last knowledge update in September 2021. They expect employment in this field to grow at a faster rate than the average for all occupations. This growth is largely attributed to the increasing awareness of the importance of mental health and the role of therapists in providing support to
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BENCHMARK: CAREER SELF-ASSESSMENT 10 individuals and families. To pursue a career in marriage and family therapy, individuals typically need a master's degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field, along with state licensure. The field offers various work settings, including private practice, mental health centers, hospitals, and schools, and therapists may also work in government agencies or nonprofit organizations. Earnings can vary widely based on factors such as location, experience, and the specific setting in which the therapist works. Additionally, the increasing demand for mental health services is a significant driver for job growth in this field. Economic and Non-Economic Benefits According to O*NET Interest Profiler, the median salary for the Marriage and Family Therapist position in the United States is estimated at $56,570. In the state of Indiana, the estimated annual salary is $48,400 and in my local area, the median salary is $51,530 (National Center for O*NET Development, 2023). Marriage and Family Therapists may enjoy various advantages, such as paid vacation, sick leave, maternity leave, and comprehensive insurance coverage, including dental, medical, vision, and life insurance. Depending on the state and need of the area one is working in, there might even be opportunities for student loan forgiveness plans. Additionally, beyond economic perks, this position offers the opportunity to develop valuable life skills and highly effective self-care routines. Disadvantages and/or Special Situations The Marriage and Family Therapy profession may come with certain drawbacks, including the potential for high workloads leading to stress, emotional conflicts arising from challenging clients, and physical strain that can result in burnout. Marriage and Family Therapists might also find themselves needing to work overtime or irregular hours to manage unfinished tasks or catch up on paperwork.
BENCHMARK: CAREER SELF-ASSESSMENT 11 Reflection Currently, I do not find any aspects of this occupation disappointing. I am highly interested in applying fundamental skills, problem-solving, and social skills, as they align with my interests. I am enthusiastic about immersing myself in the field of mental health and working towards fixing the cyclical patterns that manifest themselves from generation to generation within families. Understanding this career information serves as a valuable tool for advancing along this career path. The only potential limitation could stem from the ever-evolving nature of research, and the uncertainty of what to expect when working with new clients who have diverse needs. Overall, given my interests and skills, the occupation of Marriage and Family Therapy aligns well with my values, abilities, and economic goals. Part III: Practical Application As a Christian Marriage and Family Therapist, I will approach my future work with clients who hold different worldviews with a sense of openness and respect. My faith has taught me the value of love, compassion, and understanding, and I carry these principles into my counseling practice. While I hold strong Christian beliefs, I recognize that my clients may come from various backgrounds and belief systems. My goal is not to impose my faith on them but to create a safe and accepting space where they can freely express their perspectives and values. I believe that by listening attentively and empathetically to their unique worldviews, I can better assist them in navigating their relationship challenges and personal growth journeys. This open- minded approach will allow me to bridge the gap between faith and diverse belief systems, ultimately helping clients find healing, understanding, and harmony in their lives.
BENCHMARK: CAREER SELF-ASSESSMENT 12 References Horton, D. (2009). Discerning spiritual discernment: assessing current approaches for understanding God’s will. The Journal of Youth Ministry, 2(7), 7-31. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx? direct=true&db=lsdar&AN=ATLA0001716564&site=ehost-live&scope=site. National Center for O*NET Development. (2023). Summary Report. https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip-print?t=i&z=0&i=000013230100 New International Bible . (2011). Zondervan. (Original work published 1978) Niles, S. G., & Harris-Bowlsbey, J. E. (2021).  Career Development Interventions  (6th ed.). Pearson Education (US). https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9780135842591 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022). Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved from April 26, 2022, Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-socialservice/substance-abuse-behavioral- disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm#tab-5
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