Some individuals I have met with explain that they know they are not really happy in their current work situation, but they are not sure if they should consider leaving. If you are trying to decide if you should stay in your current employment situation or leave, I encourage you to assess your risks - on both sides of the issue.
Think about the risks that may be involved if you leave your current employment. Since nothing is certain and there are no crystal balls, it is hard to determine if things would be better or just different in a different work situation. You should consider in what ways you would like your situation to be different. You should also consider those things that you would like to be the same or similar to your current work situation.
Also think about the risks that may be involved if you stay in your current employment situation. Again, since nothing is certain and there are no crystal balls, it is hard to determine if things could be better or different if you stay. Since you are willing to consider leaving, you should identify the reasons you are having those thoughts. Is it just because you wonder what else is out there or are there things that are problematic for you in your current work situation?
I also think it is important to identify whether or not you feel that you are utilizing your skills and personal traits and whether or not your values are in sync with the values of your employer or in your current situation. Sometimes people can find other ways to put their skills and personal traits to good use, but if there is a conflict with their values or personal strengths, that is more difficult to cope with. So what is it for you?
Once you have considered the significant factors related to your situation, then you can think about the options you have. In some cases, people decide to pursue something different with the same employer. Others decide to look for similar work but in a different organization. Some people decide they need a complete change - a different employer and work. And, of course, some people decide their current situation is OK, at least for now. Whatever the decision, it should have been given careful consideration and not made in a moment of heightened frustration.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Non-Traditional First Year Students (part 2)
As a non-traditional adult entering college, you will probably be required to take some type of college placement test. This may include testing in math, writing, reading, and typing. You may need to brush up on your math and other skills, as many, many adults do. There may be basic courses you can take to assist you. Basic computer skills are also needed to succeed in college. Again, if you do not have those skills, find out what courses, training, or tutoring may be available to you.
You will also want to find out about other student services and college policies. You want to learn about and obtain a student identification card, student parking decal (if needed), email services, etc. Be sure to ask questions if you don't understand something.
Please keep in mind, if you did not complete high school, and have thought about college you can still earn a GED and be admissible to many programs, but you will want to find out about any prerequisites for your particular program of study. A prerequisite is a course or condition that must be met or completed before you can move to the next course or phase. In the case of course prerequisites, there may be a course (or courses) that you must successfully complete before you can take the next course in the series or sequence. So, in addition to learning about any prerequisites for your program, you will want to learn about course prerequisites and make sure you take your courses in the proper sequence.
You should also know that many colleges offer students the opportunity to earn college credits for learning that occurred outside the college classroom. Prior Learning Assessment, as it is often called, can be an efficient way to earn credits toward your college degree. The most frequently used method is testing through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP Exams). These are standardized tests that cover a variety of topics and students who pass a CLEP EXAM test receive credit for the class(es) that are equivalent to that particular test.
If you would like to go to college but have no idea what you want to study, you may benefit from some career counseling. You may want to complete some self-assessments to help in generating ideas about areas of interest or an occupation you may choose as your career goal. Certainly some adults go to college because of the opportunities to learn and the personal satisfaction that comes from the experience and not specifically for career enhancement.
Going back to school, particularly as an adult, can be intimidating, but do not let that keep you from trying. As one client suggested, "I will be 50 on my next birthday whether I take classes or not, so I might as well give it a try and see how it works out." You may be surprised to know that many adults become academic overachievers. Failure is not the result of being less than successful at something that you try; failure results when you do not try.
Ms. Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including carer change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
You will also want to find out about other student services and college policies. You want to learn about and obtain a student identification card, student parking decal (if needed), email services, etc. Be sure to ask questions if you don't understand something.
Please keep in mind, if you did not complete high school, and have thought about college you can still earn a GED and be admissible to many programs, but you will want to find out about any prerequisites for your particular program of study. A prerequisite is a course or condition that must be met or completed before you can move to the next course or phase. In the case of course prerequisites, there may be a course (or courses) that you must successfully complete before you can take the next course in the series or sequence. So, in addition to learning about any prerequisites for your program, you will want to learn about course prerequisites and make sure you take your courses in the proper sequence.
You should also know that many colleges offer students the opportunity to earn college credits for learning that occurred outside the college classroom. Prior Learning Assessment, as it is often called, can be an efficient way to earn credits toward your college degree. The most frequently used method is testing through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP Exams). These are standardized tests that cover a variety of topics and students who pass a CLEP EXAM test receive credit for the class(es) that are equivalent to that particular test.
If you would like to go to college but have no idea what you want to study, you may benefit from some career counseling. You may want to complete some self-assessments to help in generating ideas about areas of interest or an occupation you may choose as your career goal. Certainly some adults go to college because of the opportunities to learn and the personal satisfaction that comes from the experience and not specifically for career enhancement.
Going back to school, particularly as an adult, can be intimidating, but do not let that keep you from trying. As one client suggested, "I will be 50 on my next birthday whether I take classes or not, so I might as well give it a try and see how it works out." You may be surprised to know that many adults become academic overachievers. Failure is not the result of being less than successful at something that you try; failure results when you do not try.
Ms. Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including carer change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Non-Traditional First Year Student (part 1)
It is late summer and most parents are preparing to resume the routine of getting the kids ready for school, or perhaps, preparing to send their offspring off to college. Many parents and other adults are also thinking they had planned to return to school this fall or enroll in college for the first time, and now, they are running out of time. If you are one of the individuals who has considered continuing your education, now is the time to move into action. Many colleges allow non-traditional (adult) students to apply and enroll in the summer for fall classes. Often we think of colleges as requiring admissions and tests to be completed in the winter or spring before enrolling. That is true of many institutions or programs within colleges, but not all of them. There may still be time to get in for the coming academic year.
If you have been thinking you would like to start or return to college, it does take some action on your part now. Check out the colleges in your area to find out about programs they offer. You will also need to find out about admissions requirements - generally you will need to have your high school transcript sent and, if you have attended a college previously, that transcript will need to be sent as well. If you have not completed high school and have a GED, those records will need to be provided to the college Admissions Office. If you have not completed high school and do not have a GED, you will need to do that before applying to college.
There is probably an application and/or admission fee you will need to submit along with the application. The process of becoming officially admitted to a program is referred to as 'matriculation'. Once you are matriculated in the program, that sort of 'locks in' that set of requirements for your program. So even if the requirements for your degree/program change the following year, or the next, you would still be expected to complete the requirements in place when you matriculated, as long as you have continued to enroll in courses for your program.
Many colleges offer an orientation program, which provides basic information needed to begin your college education. If not, make an appointment to meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss the requirements and any options for your program and first course(s) to take.
You may also wish to talk with the Financial Aid Advisor to find out about financial assistance in paying for college. Unfortunately, most federal or state grants and other awards are distributed before summer. You may also want to ask the librarian at your local library for assistance in locating information about other sources of financial aid. The College Blue Book, The Directory of Financial Aid for Women, and the Directory of Financial Aid for Minorities are reference books available at most libraries and contain information about other grants, scholarships, etc. If you decide to apply for a student loan, I encourage you not to borrow more than you really need. Also, I suggest that you not pay any agency for searching for sources of financial aid for you.
More information on adult students and college will be included in the next post.
Ms. Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
If you have been thinking you would like to start or return to college, it does take some action on your part now. Check out the colleges in your area to find out about programs they offer. You will also need to find out about admissions requirements - generally you will need to have your high school transcript sent and, if you have attended a college previously, that transcript will need to be sent as well. If you have not completed high school and have a GED, those records will need to be provided to the college Admissions Office. If you have not completed high school and do not have a GED, you will need to do that before applying to college.
There is probably an application and/or admission fee you will need to submit along with the application. The process of becoming officially admitted to a program is referred to as 'matriculation'. Once you are matriculated in the program, that sort of 'locks in' that set of requirements for your program. So even if the requirements for your degree/program change the following year, or the next, you would still be expected to complete the requirements in place when you matriculated, as long as you have continued to enroll in courses for your program.
Many colleges offer an orientation program, which provides basic information needed to begin your college education. If not, make an appointment to meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss the requirements and any options for your program and first course(s) to take.
You may also wish to talk with the Financial Aid Advisor to find out about financial assistance in paying for college. Unfortunately, most federal or state grants and other awards are distributed before summer. You may also want to ask the librarian at your local library for assistance in locating information about other sources of financial aid. The College Blue Book, The Directory of Financial Aid for Women, and the Directory of Financial Aid for Minorities are reference books available at most libraries and contain information about other grants, scholarships, etc. If you decide to apply for a student loan, I encourage you not to borrow more than you really need. Also, I suggest that you not pay any agency for searching for sources of financial aid for you.
More information on adult students and college will be included in the next post.
Ms. Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.