Goal Planning for College Student Clients:
Choose the Path Best for Your Client’s Needs
Jackie Phillips
Psychology, Post University
HSV203 – Introduction to Counseling Professions
Unit 5 Assignment: Goal Planning with Clients
David Six
Due Date: 11:59 pm EST Sunday of Unit 5
Overview: In this assignment, you will help Ayaan explore and identify a potential career path that aligns with his strengths in communication and problem-solving, as well as his interests in creativity and environmental issues.
Instructions: Ayaan, a sophomore majoring in Business Administration, has come to the career counseling center feeling lost and unsure about his future career path. While he initially chose business because it seemed like a "safe" option, Ayaan doesn't feel particularly passionate about any specific business field. He enjoys working with people and problem-solving but also has a strong interest in creative writing and environmental issues. This lack of direction is causing him stress and anxiety about his future.
Ayaan's ideal career would allow him to use his strengths in communication and problem-solving, while also incorporating his interest in creativity and making a positive impact on the world.
Using the SMART goal framework, create a goal plan for Ayaan that addresses his concerns and helps him discover a career path that is fulfilling to him.
Specific:
Have exact goals that you want to achieve
Measurable:
Give yourself goals that can be worked on per school semester or quarter. For example, in this quarter, I am going to be at this volunteer position and make sure my resume is updated
Achievable:
Be realistic with your goals and understand that change will have to be made along the way if things occur that are out of your control. There will be goals you can achieve on your own and then there will be events that will happen that are out of your control, and you need to develop ways to work around those.
Relevant:
Be sure to focus on the goals you want to achieve and don’t get sidetracked by letting others tell you what you should be doing.
Time-bound:
Set time plans for achieving these goals knowing that they may be delayed and that the time plans may come earlier or later.
Your plan should include:
1. 3 long-term goals that center around Ayaan’s overall career aspirations.
Stay in Business in school. Look into the more specialized focus of Communications and Marketing.
Both are broad but also have applications to many fields in writing, journalism and Business Management
A bachelor's degree in Business Communication can open doors to various careers by equipping students with essential communication skills and knowledge relevant to business environments. These degrees often focus on strategic writing, presentation skills, and understanding communication within organizations. Business Communication programs often emphasize areas like corporate communications, public relations, marketing, and media relations.
2. 2-3 short-term objectives for each long-term goal. These are smaller, specific steps that Ayaan can take to explore different careers.
Look for volunteer positions outside of school to get a feel for different positions in different companies and establish contacts in your field.
Start some blogs with your favorite subjects and post those onto blogs and share in your social media outlets.
Start a journal for writing daily notes about how each class feels and what you enjoy.
3. At least one strategy or intervention for each short-term objective. These would be the specific actions that Ayaan must implement to achieve his objectives.
After each volunteer position, write in your journal what you enjoyed
Create a simple business card with your name, phone number and email address to hand out to people at your volunteer positions or people you talk to, so they know how to reach you.
After completing your plan:
1. Discuss the rationale behind your chosen goals, objectives, and interventions.
“A degree program that focuses on business communication should provide students with strong writing, speaking and information technology skills. Graduates can apply those skills to a variety of careers. They should be able to successfully relay information between employees and employers within a company, broadcast a company's intentions to the public, communicate information between a company and its clients, and more.” (No author given, 2025)
2. Explain how you would collaborate with Ayaan to develop his SMART goals. Include any specific questions you would ask Ayaan as you are in the planning process.
To effectively teach college students how to plan and reach their goals, focus on making the process manageable and engaging. Encourage them to set clear, achievable goals, break down large tasks into smaller steps, and track their progress. Provide resources like goal-setting tools, offer regular check-ins, and foster a supportive environment where students can share their progress and challenges.
Here's a more detailed approach:
1. Introduce the Concept of Goal Setting:
Explain the benefits of setting goals, such as increased motivation, a sense of direction, and a clearer path to success.
2. Set Clear, Achievable Goals:
Encourage students to define their goals specifically, measurably, and within a realistic timeframe. Help them break down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps.
3. Utilize SMART Goals:
Introduce the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to help students create effective goals.
4. Provide Resources and Tools:
Offer access to planning tools, such as calendars, planners, or digital apps that help with organization and task management.
5. Encourage Tracking and Self-Reflection:
Students should regularly track their progress, celebrate milestones, and reflect on their journey.
6. Model Goal Setting Behavior:
Share your own goal-setting process with students to demonstrate the value of planning and persistence.
7. Teach Effective Time Management Techniques:
Introduce strategies for prioritizing tasks, allocating time effectively, and managing distractions.
8. Emphasize the Importance of Persistence and Flexibility:
Encourage students to view setbacks as learning opportunities and to stay flexible in their approach to goal achievement.
3. Explain how you will measure Ayaan’s progress towards his long-term goals.
To effectively measure long-term goals, it's crucial to break them down into smaller, measurable milestones. You can then track your progress against these milestones using specific metrics and timelines. This allows you to monitor your journey, identify areas for improvement, and stay motivated towards your ultimate objective.
I am a big journal and blog keeper. This allows me to break down small achievements and post them into public forums. It helps me to keep track of small pieces of information that are pieced together into a bigger picture.
- Prioritize Goals: Identify which long-term goals are most important to you and prioritize them accordingly.
- Balance Short-Term and Long-Term: Find a way to balance short-term tasks with your long-term vision.
- Stay Consistent: Develop a schedule for smaller tasks and shorter-term goals.
- Share Your Goals: Share your goals with trusted friends, family, or colleagues for support and accountability.
- Self-Reflection: Take time to reflect on your journey, achievements, and setbacks to gain valuable insights.
Define cultural tunnel vision and explain its significance in the context of counseling
Cultural tunnel vision in counseling refers to a therapist's limited perspective, hindering their ability to understand and appreciate clients' cultural backgrounds. It's like a narrow tunnel where only one cultural perspective is visible, ignoring the richness and complexity of others. This can lead to misunderstandings, biased interpretations, and ineffective treatment plans.
In essence, cultural tunnel vision in counseling is a serious impediment to effective and ethical practice. It highlights the need for therapists to be aware of their own biases, actively learn about diverse cultures, and incorporate cultural sensitivity into their counseling approach.
Significance in Counseling:
Reduced Effectiveness:
Cultural tunnel vision can make counseling less effective by creating misunderstandings and misinterpretations.
Potential for Harm:
It can lead to culturally insensitive or inappropriate interventions, potentially harming clients.
Ethical Concerns:
Failing to consider cultural factors in counseling raises ethical concerns about providing equitable and respectful care.
Barriers to Trust and Rapport:
A therapist's lack of cultural awareness can hinder the development of trust and rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Need for Cultural Competence:
Counselors must develop cultural competence, which includes recognizing and understanding their own biases, and learning about diverse cultures.
References
No author given, 2025, Learn.org, What Can I Do with a Business Communication Degree, https://learn.org/articles/What_Can_I_Do_with_a_Business_Communication_Degree.html#:~:text=A%20degree%20program%20that%20focuses,Office%20Setting
No comments:
Post a Comment