philosophy...
Human’s innate developmental motivations were described by Maslow (1943) in his hierarchy of needs as physical, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. His later works take into account what Koltko-Rivera (2006) describes as Maslow’s motivational step beyond self-actualization. This state involves service to others, devotion to an ideal …social justice, environmentalism, the pursuit of science, a religious faith, and/or a desire to be united with what is perceived as transcendent or divine…and certain experiences with nature…and/or other transpersonal experiences, in which the person experiences a sense of identity that transcends or extends beyond the personal self” (Koltko-Rivera, 2006, p. 303).
I believe that self-actualization can be achieved and there are many whom have reached a more transcendent state. There is opportunity to move toward the motivational state that Maslow called “transhumanistic or transpersonal state” and this state is one that is “beyond personal benefit, for example, the furtherance of some greater cause, union with a power beyond the self, and/or service to others as an expression of identification beyond the personal ego. This motivational state expresses a need for self-transcendence” (Koltko-Rivera, 2006, p. 305) and allows us to cultivate values to transcend self and grow on a spiritual level. Often societal constructs and socio-political-economic systems are driving the social behaviour away from this collectivist, non-materialist value and more value oriented, conscious, and resource based system.
The better we understand our sense of self the more able we will be to 'connect with others of like mind' and contribute in positive ways to the world around us. For example, “value pathology for Maslow, was another term for what he called metapathologies. These are “the spiritual existential ailments that result from the persistent deprivation of metaneeds i.e., the higher needs in Maslow’s hierarchy - the lack of fulfillment of metamotivations” which result in hopelessness, despair, boredom, apathy, and powerlessness (Hoffman, 1996, p. 206 as cited in Koltko-Rivera, 2006, p. 305). I enjoy encouraging others as they create body, mind, and spirit balance and as they work toward their career-life goals.
The common Theme
I have a strong need to be able to develop my career in a way that allows me to practice what I believe creates a positive and healthy lifestyle – to be able to practice what I preach, if you will. In turn, my vision is to create a style of work that will allow me to combine my holistic health knowledge and interests with my counselling/teaching skills. This will allow me to merge my primary income investments in education/counselling with my secondary income investments in holistic health/yoga/fitness instructing, volunteer investments, and other lifelong learning skills and knowledge.
My philosophy and life purpose has been growing and changing throughout my life in relation to meeting family needs, financial requirements, and lifestyle changes. I feel I am now in a place where I can mindfully take steps to seek work that will allow me to provide skills to serve others based on my value system and lifelong career investments. I have spent extensive time studying and working in human service areas. I have considerable experience while growing up volunteering and working with special needs, seniors, and later in jobs that supported community outreach initiatives for high risk populations. I have continued my education while working and parenting to enhance my skills that promote skills in areas that help others through education and by supporting psychosocial-emotional and behavioural needs.
I have a Masters in Counselling Psychology and a provisional registration with the College of Alberta Psychologists. I have a degree in Cultural Anthropology and a degree in Education. I have worked in various provincial and federal government positions as well as many non-profit organizations, outreach programs , learning strategies, and as a Fitness and Lifestyle business entrepreneur. The accumulation of my formal and informal education has predominantly been helping others with life challenges through education, counselling, and lifestyle changes in order to find more balance, happiness and quality of life.
I believe that self-actualization can be achieved and there are many whom have reached a more transcendent state. There is opportunity to move toward the motivational state that Maslow called “transhumanistic or transpersonal state” and this state is one that is “beyond personal benefit, for example, the furtherance of some greater cause, union with a power beyond the self, and/or service to others as an expression of identification beyond the personal ego. This motivational state expresses a need for self-transcendence” (Koltko-Rivera, 2006, p. 305) and allows us to cultivate values to transcend self and grow on a spiritual level. Often societal constructs and socio-political-economic systems are driving the social behaviour away from this collectivist, non-materialist value and more value oriented, conscious, and resource based system.
The better we understand our sense of self the more able we will be to 'connect with others of like mind' and contribute in positive ways to the world around us. For example, “value pathology for Maslow, was another term for what he called metapathologies. These are “the spiritual existential ailments that result from the persistent deprivation of metaneeds i.e., the higher needs in Maslow’s hierarchy - the lack of fulfillment of metamotivations” which result in hopelessness, despair, boredom, apathy, and powerlessness (Hoffman, 1996, p. 206 as cited in Koltko-Rivera, 2006, p. 305). I enjoy encouraging others as they create body, mind, and spirit balance and as they work toward their career-life goals.
The common Theme
I have a strong need to be able to develop my career in a way that allows me to practice what I believe creates a positive and healthy lifestyle – to be able to practice what I preach, if you will. In turn, my vision is to create a style of work that will allow me to combine my holistic health knowledge and interests with my counselling/teaching skills. This will allow me to merge my primary income investments in education/counselling with my secondary income investments in holistic health/yoga/fitness instructing, volunteer investments, and other lifelong learning skills and knowledge.
My philosophy and life purpose has been growing and changing throughout my life in relation to meeting family needs, financial requirements, and lifestyle changes. I feel I am now in a place where I can mindfully take steps to seek work that will allow me to provide skills to serve others based on my value system and lifelong career investments. I have spent extensive time studying and working in human service areas. I have considerable experience while growing up volunteering and working with special needs, seniors, and later in jobs that supported community outreach initiatives for high risk populations. I have continued my education while working and parenting to enhance my skills that promote skills in areas that help others through education and by supporting psychosocial-emotional and behavioural needs.
I have a Masters in Counselling Psychology and a provisional registration with the College of Alberta Psychologists. I have a degree in Cultural Anthropology and a degree in Education. I have worked in various provincial and federal government positions as well as many non-profit organizations, outreach programs , learning strategies, and as a Fitness and Lifestyle business entrepreneur. The accumulation of my formal and informal education has predominantly been helping others with life challenges through education, counselling, and lifestyle changes in order to find more balance, happiness and quality of life.
Career Development in the 21st Century
Career development is unpredictable and changing in the 21century and this requires counsellors to help clients better understand themselves and their worldview. In turn, they will be better equipped to develop careers based on their lifelong learning investments and knowledge of self. The past four generations have seen great changes in technology and science and client’s today that have very diverse notions of the meaning of work. Counsellors need to be prepared to address career development from each generation’s unique perspective, and socio-historical context (Payment, 2008 as cited in Psyc. 305 Notes, 2013).
Counselling practice must be holistic and address all areas of the client’s life (Savickas, 1996 as cited in Neault, 2000, p. 2). Poore (2001) and Peruniak (2003) acknowledge that the career development perspective must be long term and purposeful.
Worldview can be seen as “the beliefs and overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world” and The Process of Illumination allows us to expand and contribute to our collective worldview. Believing in our hopes and the importance of creating a positive future is the first step in illumination. “We need to make up our minds that the way we see things makes a difference” (Gelatt, 2002, para. 3). Finding meaningful work involves following our instincts and dreams which will then allow us to naturally align our interests to our work (Imel, 2002, para. 4).
Today, career development is becoming more important as the definition and idea of work is changing. People are more often seeking skills and experiences that will contribute to their career development rather than to remaining in a single type of job for a lifetime or one that does not reflect their true nature or belief system. Career development theory supports the perspective that “many individuals are no longer satisfied with working for a living but instead want to work at living “(Boyatzis, McKee, and Goleman 2002 as cited in Imel, 2002, para. 2). When a career is viewed as the accumulative paid and unpaid work you do it becomes more meaningful if these areas all reflect what is inspirational, motivational, and purposeful in life. Having a career counselor to help you better understand your sense of ‘self’ and purpose in life will better allow you to focus and regularly evaluate your work investments to ensure your efforts contribute to fulfilling your life hopes and dreams. According to Shepard (2000) “understanding oneself is the first step in life-career planning or the process of self-development during the course of ones life. Contextual factors that contribute to one’s development are often overlooked in self-assessment” (p. 2). The meanings that we give to our personal and work life are constructs of our cultural experiences. Career development goals can be better understood through our life stories and metaphors that help us better understanding our sense of self (Shepard, 2000).
Experiences that excite me include travelling, holistic health, meeting new people that are passionate and positive, physical activity, nature, and spending quality time with my children/ family, problem solving, and putting theory into practice. In years to come I would like to be remembered as someone who was kind, who valued caring for family, community, and the environment and as someone who helped others believe that they could make the world a better place with every single positive thought and action.
The process involved in my development of life purpose has been ongoing and at present represents an informed understanding of career investments and the importance of developing a career portfolio. At times in the past, I have felt conflicted when I was ‘job focused’ rather than ‘career-focused’ and now I feel more confident knowing that my career belongs to me. I have a better understanding of how career theory and a career portfolio framework can help map one's purpose and life goals. “If you are job-focused rather than career focused, you may eventually become a passenger on your career journey instead of the driver” (Poore, 2001, p. 17). Being confronted with defining my purpose in a career portfolio that is fluid and a work in progress was an insightful and illuminating career development experience. It really made me reflect on the meaning of ‘work’ and realize that at times I have let the job or the economic situation guide my career life – losing sight of the goal. Now, I have learned that my experiences and interests from the past represent diversification of my career investments and are the assets that control risk today and will contribute to my future career income. Reflect upon your past work experiences, patterns, and choices and you may find that they are more closely aligned with your true interests and enjoyments! Your past and present career assets as 'learned work' will help you gain the balance and meaning in life that you seek!
Counselling practice must be holistic and address all areas of the client’s life (Savickas, 1996 as cited in Neault, 2000, p. 2). Poore (2001) and Peruniak (2003) acknowledge that the career development perspective must be long term and purposeful.
Worldview can be seen as “the beliefs and overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world” and The Process of Illumination allows us to expand and contribute to our collective worldview. Believing in our hopes and the importance of creating a positive future is the first step in illumination. “We need to make up our minds that the way we see things makes a difference” (Gelatt, 2002, para. 3). Finding meaningful work involves following our instincts and dreams which will then allow us to naturally align our interests to our work (Imel, 2002, para. 4).
Today, career development is becoming more important as the definition and idea of work is changing. People are more often seeking skills and experiences that will contribute to their career development rather than to remaining in a single type of job for a lifetime or one that does not reflect their true nature or belief system. Career development theory supports the perspective that “many individuals are no longer satisfied with working for a living but instead want to work at living “(Boyatzis, McKee, and Goleman 2002 as cited in Imel, 2002, para. 2). When a career is viewed as the accumulative paid and unpaid work you do it becomes more meaningful if these areas all reflect what is inspirational, motivational, and purposeful in life. Having a career counselor to help you better understand your sense of ‘self’ and purpose in life will better allow you to focus and regularly evaluate your work investments to ensure your efforts contribute to fulfilling your life hopes and dreams. According to Shepard (2000) “understanding oneself is the first step in life-career planning or the process of self-development during the course of ones life. Contextual factors that contribute to one’s development are often overlooked in self-assessment” (p. 2). The meanings that we give to our personal and work life are constructs of our cultural experiences. Career development goals can be better understood through our life stories and metaphors that help us better understanding our sense of self (Shepard, 2000).
Experiences that excite me include travelling, holistic health, meeting new people that are passionate and positive, physical activity, nature, and spending quality time with my children/ family, problem solving, and putting theory into practice. In years to come I would like to be remembered as someone who was kind, who valued caring for family, community, and the environment and as someone who helped others believe that they could make the world a better place with every single positive thought and action.
The process involved in my development of life purpose has been ongoing and at present represents an informed understanding of career investments and the importance of developing a career portfolio. At times in the past, I have felt conflicted when I was ‘job focused’ rather than ‘career-focused’ and now I feel more confident knowing that my career belongs to me. I have a better understanding of how career theory and a career portfolio framework can help map one's purpose and life goals. “If you are job-focused rather than career focused, you may eventually become a passenger on your career journey instead of the driver” (Poore, 2001, p. 17). Being confronted with defining my purpose in a career portfolio that is fluid and a work in progress was an insightful and illuminating career development experience. It really made me reflect on the meaning of ‘work’ and realize that at times I have let the job or the economic situation guide my career life – losing sight of the goal. Now, I have learned that my experiences and interests from the past represent diversification of my career investments and are the assets that control risk today and will contribute to my future career income. Reflect upon your past work experiences, patterns, and choices and you may find that they are more closely aligned with your true interests and enjoyments! Your past and present career assets as 'learned work' will help you gain the balance and meaning in life that you seek!
References
Gelatt, H.B. (2007). Gelatt, H. B. (2007). The Process of Illumination: in a Nutshell. Retrieved from http://www.gelattpartners.com/images/ The_Process_of_Illumination_by_H_B_Gelatt_Oct_2007.pdf
Imel, S. (2000). Career development for meaningful work life. ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult Career and Vocational Education Columbus OH. Retrieved from http://www.vtaide.com/png/ERIC/Life-Work.htm
Koltko-Rivera, M. E. (2006). Rediscovering the later version of Maslow's hierarchy of needs:Self-transcendence and opportunities for theory, research, and unification. Review of General Psychology, 10(4). doi: 10.1037/1089-2680.10.4.302
Neault, R. A. (2000). Planning for serendipity? Career management for changing times. Retrieved from http://onestep.on.ca/resource/files2/Career% 20Management%20for%20Changing%20Times.pdf
Onnismaa, J. (2004). Ethics and professionalism in counselling. Canadian Journal of Career Development, 3(1), 43-48. Retrieved from http://ceric.ca/cjcd/
archives/v3-n1/article6.pdf
Poore, C. A. (2001). Building your career portfolio. Franklin Lakes, NJ: Career Press.
Psyc. 305 Notes (2013). Unit 3: Career Development Theory and Change. Retrieved from http://psyc.lms.athabascau.ca/mod/book/view.php?id=2771
Shepard, B. (2000). Creating meaning and making connections: Lifeplanning explorationworkshop. Ottawa, ON: NATCON Papers. Retrieved fromhttp://www.contactpoint.ca/index.php?option=com_
resource&controller=article&article=35&category_id=7&Itemid=28
Gelatt, H.B. (2007). Gelatt, H. B. (2007). The Process of Illumination: in a Nutshell. Retrieved from http://www.gelattpartners.com/images/ The_Process_of_Illumination_by_H_B_Gelatt_Oct_2007.pdf
Imel, S. (2000). Career development for meaningful work life. ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult Career and Vocational Education Columbus OH. Retrieved from http://www.vtaide.com/png/ERIC/Life-Work.htm
Koltko-Rivera, M. E. (2006). Rediscovering the later version of Maslow's hierarchy of needs:Self-transcendence and opportunities for theory, research, and unification. Review of General Psychology, 10(4). doi: 10.1037/1089-2680.10.4.302
Neault, R. A. (2000). Planning for serendipity? Career management for changing times. Retrieved from http://onestep.on.ca/resource/files2/Career% 20Management%20for%20Changing%20Times.pdf
Onnismaa, J. (2004). Ethics and professionalism in counselling. Canadian Journal of Career Development, 3(1), 43-48. Retrieved from http://ceric.ca/cjcd/
archives/v3-n1/article6.pdf
Poore, C. A. (2001). Building your career portfolio. Franklin Lakes, NJ: Career Press.
Psyc. 305 Notes (2013). Unit 3: Career Development Theory and Change. Retrieved from http://psyc.lms.athabascau.ca/mod/book/view.php?id=2771
Shepard, B. (2000). Creating meaning and making connections: Lifeplanning explorationworkshop. Ottawa, ON: NATCON Papers. Retrieved fromhttp://www.contactpoint.ca/index.php?option=com_
resource&controller=article&article=35&category_id=7&Itemid=28