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Career Goals and Learning Plan Kathy Crist COM/505 October 31, 2011 James Ryan Career Goals and Learning Plan My ultimate career goal is to open a shelter for pregnant teenage girls and a shelter for siblings who are in license care to stay together and not be separated in different foster homes. To help me obtain my ultimate career goal, I must first obtain my educational goal and acquire a Masters degree in Psychology by attending the University of Phoenix. I have an undergraduate degree in Psychology. Currently, I am a Dependency Case Manager supervisor for Child Welfare.
I always said I was going back to school to pursue my Masters of Psychology. Whenever I attempt to take that step to return back to school there were obstacles that interfered with me returning back to school. What made me return to school and not allowing obstacles to interfere with me returning to school was a promotion I was interested in that I applies for as a Program Director. I was not offered the promotion due to me not having my Masters degree. That was a big wakeup call for me to get myself back in school for a higher education.
This is why I am back in School Pursuing my Masters in Psychology. Receiving my Master degree in Psychology will allow me to move up into higher position within the agency I am employed. This day and time you need a Masters degree to work in any professional position if you are seeking to work in a higher position. One of my three Career goals in pursuing my Master in Psychology is to gain more knowledge so I can utilize the knowledge learned, which will allow me to perform my job duties at a higher level of expertise.
I will be able to communicate more effectively and assertively with my clients and people in general. A Master in Psychology will help me to work with parent and their children to be able to work through their situations that brought their kids in the custody of the Department of Children and Families. Pursuing my Master in Psychology will enable me to interpret and understand individuals on a cognitive level and strategies on how to communicate effectively when focusing on their behaviors, emotions and mental status.
When you are communicating with people you also have to be an active listener. Pursuing my Masters in Psychology will enable me to communicate with my staff and co-workers and clients more effectively. In pursuing my Masters in Psychology, interaction with my learning team members and discussion group as well as other individuals will allow me to be a better communicator. I work with a large population of diverse cultures and different beliefs; so as I continue to pursue my Masters in Psychology I continue to learn how to effectively listen and communicate with individuals.
In completing the Multiple Pathway to Learning and the Personality Spectrum results shows that I am pursuing the right career goal in Psychology. The results in the Multiple Pathway to Learning show that I am highly developed in the interpersonal, intrapersonal and bodily-kinesthetic. The career goals in these pathways of learning are to consider majoring in psychology, and nursing. Careers to look into are being a psychologist, social worker, nursing, and counseling. The Personality Spectrum shows that I an organizer and giver.
My optimal learning time and how it relates to my learning style is new to me and I have to be a self starter and self motivator, due to computer learning is new to me. I have to get adjusted to learning online. I am use to having verbal dialogue with professors in a class room setting. I am learning to adjust my time to a very demanding job; alone with helping my daughter caring for my 4 year old granddaughter. The method I use to retain course information that compliments my learning style is taken notes of what I read and hear.
I highlight important topics and key points. I record myself when studying for exams. How adult learning theory influences how I learn I commit to learning when goals and objectives are important and relevant to me. Having direct and concrete experiences that I apply to my learning and receive structured feedback on how I am doing and the results of my efforts. I learn in small-group activities where I can share reflect and generalize my learning experiences. I also learn from previous experiences, knowledge, self-direction and interests.
My time management strategies to assist me in meeting my course requirement are studying ahead and not waiting to the last minute. Completing my course assignments timely so I will have time to review and make changes that are needed prior to submitting to my professor. I balance my work time and school time so it does not become overwhelming and stressful. I have good time management skills and I will maintain my good organization skills. Working a demanding job I have to have good time management and organization skills; therefore I will maintain these strategies to meet my course requirements.
Techniques I will implement to manage my stress associate with returning to school to pursue my Master in Psychology will be to stay on top of my studying and reading assignments. Have a planner to support group from my family, especially from my daughter who has gone through the Master program. I will try to maintain a healthy and balance life style, meditate, take time out to relax and have a little fun, not sweat over the small things that I have no control of and change the things that I can to eliminate stress from returning back to school.
Having the opportunity to return to school has given me a chance to reinvent myself as a student. I am so excited about my new found educational path, that I often find myself sharing my zeal and excitement with family, friends, and co-workers alike. Returning to school has been a long overdue task and now that I am back in school, nothing is going to stop me. I may have hurdles and or obstacles that may try to detour me, but my focus, hard work and determination will assist me with staying on track to achieving my career and educational goals.