Weescone's Blog

The value of reflection …….

weescone — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:03:47 +0000

Nearly at the end of one of life’s journeys – this one is the Postgraduate Diploma in Career Guidance and Development. It has certainly been something to reflect on. I always expected to really enjoy the placements and that was the case – especially the guidance and one to one. To be able to make a difference is a real privilige. Learned some new techniques and to listen more selflessly. Thought about the morals, ethics and place of guidance and what my position was in all of this. However, I didn’t expect to be so fascinated and challenged by the wealth of theory that exists. The research was stimulating and thought provoking and then trying to understand how each theory could be applied to guidance practice was even better. I think the whole experience has changed me as a person. I’ve always been a reflector but this course and the interventions by lecturers, fellow-students, clients and others has taught me the value of reflecting at a deeper level. It’s something that I will take with me not just professionally but personally too. To strive to make a difference and to continue to challenge. ‘Does my work make a difference, where a difference really matters?’ (Blustein)

So, its not just to reflect and do nothing, but reflect and do something.

Storytelling …….. a continuation

weescone — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 09:06:25 +0000

Since I wrote my blog ‘Storytelling ….. a note of caution’ a number of things have changed, and I have reflected hard about what happened, the comments I received both on the blog and personally from fellow students and also Grant’s intervention to give us some risk-free practice. I’ve also spent quite a lot of time looking at the theory of the narrative and its potential uses within career counselling. I’ve come to value to place of theory and reading more than I ever have done before, and certainly more than when I did my first degree in English & Psychology education all those years ago. Strangely it’s the reading that has expanded my thinking on the use of narrative as a tool and the immense benefits it can bring. Larry Cochran’s Career Counselling: A Narrative Approach was a good read. If you are already a convert of the narrative and haven’t read Hazel Reid’s paper in the International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance (2005) 5: 125 – 136 Narrative and CareerGuidance: Beyond Small Talk and Towards Useful Dialogue for the 21st Century then please do. Of course its not like the truly fascinating and enlightening stuff we’ve read from Grant’s lectures and it can’t compete with the Nietzsche’s of this world but it puts the narrative in the context of guidance practice for the 21st century. Anyway, enough of me rambling on about theory.

I have come to understand the power and the place of the narrative in guidance practice. It can be a real gift that counsellors can offer their clients, if they have the skill and confidence to do so, and in an environment where it is valued. There is real value to provide clients with a meaningful and enlightening experience in a truly person-centred way, probably more than I ever thought possible. I like the potential to give value and meaning – that is also making a difference. I want to provide clients with an opportunity to reach a fuller understanding of themselves and therefore put them in a better place to make decisions about their futures. So storytelling is something that I will most definitely use …… in life and in career guidance. It will be a precious tool in my toolkit of life. Oh dear, I am getting far too poetic, so will finish on that note. Any thoughts?

Now I am off to put some ‘planned happenstance’ into action and see if I can get myself a job!

What next ……

weescone — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 08:37:38 +0000

This course has been an incredible learning journey shared with some very special people. I always said to myself that I wouldn’t make a decision about what to move on to until I’d done my placements and experienced everything the course had to offer. That was tough because I am definitely a planner/organiser and like to be in control. I know it was the right decision for me, but with only three weeks to go it feels a bit like the end of a cliff, rather than the launch pad I thought it might be. Should I work to try to make a difference to the lives of young people and adults on an individual basis or should I work more strategically in an influencing and framing role which might give those who work on a individual basis more empowerment and opportunity. (maybe I don’t really have that choice?). I’m not really looking for answers from you fellow bloggers as I know its down to me, but now that my essay is finished its occupying my mind. Back to the note I started on. I truly believe this course has changed me as a person. The reflection is working. The comments from others have been inspiring, challenging, creative and supportive. What more could I have asked for? Thank you

Listening – When is it my turn?

weescone — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:03:02 +0000

‘Genuine listening means suspending memory, desire and judgement – and, for a few moments at least, existing for the other person.’

I really enjoyed reading the piece on listening. I thought I was a good listener because many people over the years have told me so, its been high on my appraisals and I’ve been proud of it, but in reading this it challenged me again to think hard about it. I do love to listen but I think I probably overdo the ‘active’ listening bit which has been taught to me over the years. I am enthusiastic to listen but just as enthusiastic to ask questions and find out more, because I think that will help the situation. I’ve worked hard at suspending judgement and worked hard at listening out for clues that will in turn help me to help the individual. But stepping back, being silent, and suspending self may be the better option after all.

I enjoyed the listening and reflection practice in class. Although I’ve worked at reflection and in some ways it comes naturally there’s always a little question in my head waiting to ‘pop’ out. Its that I need to work on next. I think that will improve my guidance practice.

This reading was good for the soul.

Storytelling ……. a note of caution

weescone — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 04:26:50 +0000

I really like the idea of using storytelling in guidance. It’s another tool, truly individual, person-centred and very powerful. It does come with a note of caution which I comment on from my own experience of yesterday. Grant is extremely knowledgeable and skilled. His strangely hypnotic voice had me in my own lifespace in minutes and it felt quite reminiscent of a counselling session. Thinking about all the positive things was good. However, I was already in a fairly emotional state yesterday as I am having to deal with something difficult and painful at the moment. I became quite upset and almost had to leave the room. The only reason I share this is because that may be equally true of the clients we work with – who may come in with all sorts of problems they are dealing with. Statistics alone tell us that many will come with mental illness of one kind or another. So the word of caution is around the fact that we may unwittingly open up a box which we may then not be skilled or experienced enough to deal with, unless we are professional counsellors. It wasn’t a problem in the end because the person I shared my lifespace with was someone with whom I feel safe and I respect and it wasn’t an issue. I still think that this is a very worthwhile technique but my experience yesterday will make me use it with care. What do you think?

Found this … what do you think?

weescone — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:07:24 +0000

John Krumboltz , the Happenstance guy, said ‘the reluctance to make an occupational commitment in the face of unpredictable events should be celebrated as open-mindedness, not denigrated as indecisive.’ Sounds ok on first reading and I quite like it, but what if you let this run then would it potentially lead to more ‘idleness?’

Engagement ….(and I don’t mean the type prior to a wedding)

weescone — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:32:56 +0000

Here I am, its week 2 and I am still enjoying my placement. There’s been a variety of activities I’ve been involved in, including conferences about working abroad (wish I was younger!), guidance interviews, e-guidance, CV workshops, employability work, Job Shop and part-time working assistance, credit bearing taught modules, work in the departments, team meetings - it goes on. However, having spoken with staff the biggest wider challenge is ‘engagement’ with students. By that I mean getting them along to events in the first place. When they come along I believe they get a really good product and one which could help them along their own career planning journey – wherever they are along it. There’s plenty of good feedback once they arrive. But,quite often there will be 100% take up and sign up to an event but then on average only 50% – 60% turn up. So they were motivated enough to sign up but then don’t arrive. What happens between the sign up and the day????? The team here are pretty creative, good with marketing, and have tried different approaches but its still an issue. Any ideas please fellow bloggers?????

It’s a new day, a new dawn …….

weescone — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:59:09 +0000

Hello fellow bloggers, I know its only day two of this placement but I feel that I have to write and tell you that I am really enjoying it. I’ve brushed away all that existentialism (at least for these two weeks) and am embracing the positive world. Shopenhauer isn’t going to depress me any more for now but having read a bit more of him its not all doom and gloom. Don’t worry Grant I am still reflecting and challenging myself with each element of the work I am doing. A great placement, full of motivated, professional (and I don’t use that word lightly) people enjoying their work in the guidance field. A range of activities including taught modules which have the potential to add value to the student’s academic experience. Maybe I have my rosy specs on and I know its early days but I think that this is a place that I would like to work in. How are you all doing?????

Brian and Professionalism

weescone — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:14:46 +0000

Why does Brian think that we, students and potential new recruits to Careers Scotland/SDS, can change the organisation if he didn’t manage it?? In my experience you have to gain trust and respect which can take a little time before you earn the right to challenge its very nature, particularly in public sector organisations which are usually fairly hierarchical.

In organisations that make a choice to really embrace matrix management (and not just use it in re-structuring to get rid of a range of middle management) then the result can be empowering and enabling. Clearly SDS haven’t gone this way.

I found much of his lecture interesting and useful context but fairly depressing and although he did make the point at the end that in a change environment there are opportunities to re-shape and develop better processes overall I came away feeling quite negative and I am a person who believes that the door is always open and the cup is half full.

Is CS person-centred?

weescone — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:52:24 +0000

That’s a difficult one fellow bloggers.

I would say ‘yes’ in parts. If we separate out Careers Scotland as an organisation and then the individuals that I have worked with the answers would be different. The Careers Advisers and Key Workers I’ve seen have been as ‘person-centred’ as they can be, very committed to their clients, working hard to deliver the best service possible, responsive to their clients needs, creative where they can be, going out of their way to follow-up with action etc I think Carl Rogers would be pretty happy working with this team. If we take his three fundamental principles of person-centredness - empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence then I think we can tick these boxes. The Team Leader in this office supports and empowers his team to work like this. That’s not what I’ve heard about other offices. However, I can only speak from my own experience. So in this respect they are trying their best. However, there are conflicts between being person-centred and working with what is available within the local market place. The dearth of opportunities for clients is immensely frustrating to Careers Advisers and test their resolve to remain person-centred. The realities of recession will continue to make it even harder.

Turning to the Careers Scotland/SDS organisation we find something altogether different. I don’t think it knows what it is at present. Nearly two years on and the re-organisation appears to be in limbo …… new branding is on its way but what it will stand for remains to be seen. It doesn’t strike me that person-centred will be its new mantra.

What do you think out there bloggers?