Career learning and development is important to students and professionals. Career development is the process of determining the educational, social, physical and economical aspect related to career and job roles(Watts, 2006). Career learning allows a student to acquire the knowledge, abilities, and skills to facilitate career decision making. Career decisions include decisions related to education, job roles, and job settings. Additionally, career learning, development and management enable students and professionals alike to navigate the labor market and create a professional identity. Likewise, career management enables individuals transitioning careers and raise employability toward career success and work-life satisfaction.
Career development involves the development of personal leadership vision and self-efficacy plan. This paper is a summary of my career vision, mission, goals, action plans as well as possible career opportunities and challenges. Additionally, I will evaluate possible solutions to challenges. Similarly, I will denote the resources, relationships, knowledge, and skills required to attain particular career goals. Career assessment help prevents future career frustrations, define identity and help synthesize demands of the labor market, personality, and personal values.
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I aspire to be a youth social worker after graduating with my bachelor in sociology in two years’ time. I am passionate about helping humanity in general hence the interest in a helping profession. The choice to work with the youth is also fueled by my, passion for young people. According to Lerner et. Al (2012), the youth are a delicate core part of the society. They are the leaders of tomorrow and facilitators of future change needed in society. A society that fails to nurture its youth is bound for a dim future. As leaders, professionals, parents, and labor force of tomorrow, the youth are the gateway to better democracies, social equality, and sustainable economies. It is, therefore, the role and duty of every able member of society, government, organizations and individuals alike, to guide and nurture the youth. Besides being an asset to society, the youth population is inundated with a unique set of challenges and shortcoming that require solutions. I intend to be among those spearheading youth developments in society as a youth social worker.
As an aspiring social worker interested in the development of the youth, I envision a future where the government, organizations, and individuals unite to create and implement programs and services that empower and protect the youth. A hope for a future where the youth responsibility is not only left to the government and professionals. A future where the entire society is aware of the many problems affecting our youth population and is actively engaged in finding solutions to such issues at a social, economic, political and spiritual level. I envision a future where the youth are not misled and used as political weapons to pursue political agendas. A time when the youth of the country is safe from profit-driven individuals and corporations using them to perpetuate illegal activities. Likewise, I envisage a future where youth programs and services are available, effective and easily accessible.
Under three years, I hope to be a certified youth social worker.in the next three to five years I hope to expand my knowledge, skills, and experience toward attaining higher roles in social work .likewise, within these years, I wish to cement my personal career profile and professional identity through networking and establishing professional relationships. In the next five to ten years, I want to build a nonprofit organization that offers youth programs and services. I want to participate in building an environment where the youth feel supported, wanted and empowered. A future when violence, crime rates and drug use among the youth is mitigated, where education is diverse, individual and sufficient to cater to the varied interests and needs of the youth. A future where youth employment rates are almost zero. I also visualize a youth populace that is mentally and emotionally strong to overcome modern day challenges and issues such as single parenthood, suicide, depression, and materialism. A future where the mental and psychological well-being of the youth becomes of key focus in the youth development agenda.in other words, I imagine a future where society creates a conducive political, social, technical and economic environment that guards, empowers and supports our youth population toward the creation of a better future for society.
My short-term goal is to become a social worker. A certified social worker in the USA must have certain educational and professional qualifications. Firstly, one must have an associate, bachelor masters or doctorate degree in social work or related areas of study, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) (Sharf, 2016). Alternative degrees in sociology or psychology also accepted. Added qualifications more so in law, child development, science, and foreign language are an added advantage. A social worker must be knowledgeable on topics like Psychopathology, Racial justice, and oppression, Qualitative and quantitative research, Development of social policy and Ethics in social work. Both theoretical and practical aspects of social work are explored through courses in human behavior, research, general practice, policy, and field practice.
Additionally, knowledge of definitions and terminologies is key. After graduation, I plan to further my knowledge by pursuing a masters In social work.to develop my knowledge in social work and youth development, I have to study course content and related topic for example through periodicals. The goal is to qualify as a CSWE certified social worker and the plan is to build knowledge through the bachelor and masters coursework as well as keeping up with current affairs by reading periodicals. To acquire both my masters in social work I will need funds to facilitate my study and maintenance which I intend to acquire from my parents and paid part-time work. Other sources that I will require to attain this goal include stationary, books, and guidance. Scholarly materials and guidance services are often availed by schools. Possible challenges in the implementation of this plan include illness, lack of funds and resources as well as economic and political instability.
After completing my masters in social work, I intend to apply for a job d in a related role. According to (Payne, 2015), a social worker performs the following duties and responsibilities: identify need, develop support systems, set goals and treatment plans, educate client on coping mechanisms, conduct therapy research and make referrals,intervene in case of abuse, gather resources, offer follow up services and evaluate services provided.to attain this goal I will require knowledge on the labor market including current job listings and what to do to get the social work job. I can acquire information on job openings online or from newspaper and digital advertisements. Alternatively, I can seek expert services to aid in creating my professional identity and to inform me of the current labor market dynamics. Possible challenges in the implementation of this goal include lack of professional relationships to aid in networking. After acquiring a social work job, I intend to work and gain experience for the subsequent two years. Within this period, I will build both my work and life experience.
Likewise, within this period, I will establish professional relationships through networking.to attain this, I will attend conferences and workshops. Additionally, I will form associations by joining unions and organizations for social workers. To build new and existing relationships I would have to improve on my communication and interpersonal skills. Improving communication would involve improving my hearing and listening skills. Additionally, it involves respecting others, positive feedback, empathy, celebrating others and helping, understanding and considering other people’s idea.to expand my network and accelerate career growth, I will create a professional on popular career sites like linkedin. Good work relationships are often associated with better performance whereas networking eases job hunt through referrals (Watts, 2006).in addition to communication and interpersonal skills, I would have to improve on other generic skills. Generic skills are key or core skills generally required. They include time management, organizational, leadership and teamwork skills among others.to develop my skills I would have to seek advice, read and practice. Challenged in attaining this goal include lack of time and introverted personality. Solutions would include time management and deliberate effort.
In the fifth year, I will undertake a course in business management in preparation for private practice.to transition into, the law requires me to have a masters degree and at least 3,000 hours of supervised experience(Payne, 2015). My long-term goal is to establish a nonprofit organization that provides youth development programs.to learn management, a course in management will be necessary. Additionally, experience in a managerial position is important. Therefore, in the sixth year of employment, I will apply for a managerial position as a social worker manage or executive.to attain this goal, I would need specific skills, knowledge, and abilities including a masters degree an knowledge on organizational management. Services for instance counseling, mentorship, and community welfare engagement.
Ten years of experience in the industry will allow me to be well versant with emerging youth issues and problems through research. Later years working a managerial position in an organization will involve further nurturing my management abilities. Possible challenges I can face in transitioning roles and career is uncertainty. (include possible gender, ethnic and sexual orientation challenges and some solutions). Running a youth organization will allow me to help more and provide more help and diverse services to the young.
Despite there being programs meant to improve youth welfare, current statistics indicate that more needs to be done. Existing initiatives need to be modified to increase efficacy. Additionally, new programs and services are paramount in addressing emerging youth issues such as suicide and depression and internet addictions. I am passionate about young people and a role in youth social work would be an ideal fit for me. Furthermore, my short- and long-term goals are intended on building myself and my knowledge, skills, and experience towards becoming a good social worker and organization manager. Afterward, the experience garnered over the years will enable the establishment of a nonprofit youth development organization. By so doing, I can directly address youth issues more efficiently and effectively by employing well researched modern methodologies and resources to address such problems. The youth are a great asset to society, therefore, every member in society should feel mandated to participate in youth development and protection.
References
Asquith, S., Clark, C. L., & Waterhouse, L. (2005). The role of the social worker in the 21st century: A literature review . Edinburgh: Scottish Executive Education Department.
Lerner, J. V., Bowers, E. P., Minor, K., Boyd, M. J., Mueller, M. K., Schmid, K. L., ... & Lerner, R. M. (2012). Positive youth development: Processes, philosophies, and programs. Handbook of Psychology, Second Edition , 6 .
Payne, M. (2015). Modern social work theory . Oxford University Press.
Sharf, R. S. (2016). Applying career development theory to counseling . Nelson Education.
Watts, A. G. (2006). Career development learning and employability.
