Introduction
Choosing a profession is a challenging task for every individual. The sphere of occupation should not only allow people to effectively apply their knowledge and practical skills but also correspond in terms of individual goals and aspirations. I can say that the profession of a counselor precisely reflects my endeavors and personal qualities. I chose this Master’s program to broaden my knowledge in this field and contribute to the well-being of families and individuals. In this paper, I will describe my career decision, aspirations, and post-graduate plans in detail.
Career Choice
I am often asked about what influenced my decision to choose this particular mental health profession compared to other occupations within social work and psychology. My devotion to this specialization is explained by its essential role in the modern world. According to Hodges (2020), both counselors and non-specialists find it difficult to describe the difference between counseling and other related professions. The author explains that the focus on counseling rather than treatment is what makes this field distinct and unique (Hodges, 2020). It is possible to add that nowadays, people are especially vulnerable to stress, depression, and other mental conditions. The fast pace of living and the development of modern technologies made people more separated from each other, which resulted in significant difficulties in seeking psychological support. Understanding the growing demand for high-quality counseling, I decided to contribute to the psychological well-being of society.
Another reason, which influenced my career choice, is related to my personal qualities. I can say that I have always been a person for whom helping others and giving advice to people seeking help is of great significance. Even before I became involved in professional counseling, I felt responsible for assisting others in their emotional struggle. Being an empathetic person with the ability to observe and evaluate, I can provide psychological support to people and help them understand and change different facets of their personalities. I believe that a wide range of opportunities in the sphere of counseling would help me apply my interpersonal skills in the most effective way.
Goals and Aspirations
My short-term goals related to my career are connected with receiving a Master’s education and acquiring fundamental skills and competencies in counseling. According to Hodges (2020), an interest in a specific area is not enough to provide professional service, and theoretical knowledge and practical skills are needed to become more competent. Therefore, my primary goal is to focus on individual and group psychology and study the theories of diagnosing and psychological assessment.
In the long-term perspective, I would like to become a licensed professional counselor. Individual counseling is one of the specializations where I would like to apply my knowledge. Personal concerns have always been a primary focus of psychotherapy, psychology, and social work. Learning about various individual problems, from more general (such as stress and depression) to more specific (for example, relationship issues and career planning), will make me qualified enough to provide comprehensive individual counseling. Moreover, I believe that by ensuring the emotional health and stability of every individual, it is possible to shape the mental health of the entire society.
Since I have always considered family the major value in a person’s life, my goal is to acquire a job position in family counseling. I plan to focus on promoting understanding and encouraging conversation between family members. By observing interactions within a family and evaluating clients’ mental and behavioral health issues, I would be able to help them develop healthy relationships. Moreover, I would like to provide strength and hope to people through adapting various counseling approaches to a family’s needs. Therefore, upon completion of my Master’s program, I would like to address the emotional, behavioral, and psychological concerns of individuals and families.
Master’s Program Opportunities
I decided to enroll in the Master’s program in counseling because it provides multiple opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for effective work as a professional counselor. An ability to communicate with different people, understand them, and teach them to access and analyze their own emotions and desires are only some of the competencies I would like to acquire. Therefore, my main expectation is to improve the knowledge I gained upon completion of the Bachelor’s program and learn how to contribute to developing counseling services at the individual, family, and community levels.
Besides the basic knowledge related to group and individual counseling, I expect to acquire additional professional skills which would help me become more flexible in using various psychological approaches. For example, since a counselor is a professional working with clients of different ages, gender, race, ethnicity, and religion, it is important to be aware of social diversity and its aspects. I believe that in addition to the fundamental knowledge within my specialization, this Master’s program would allow me to become more open-minded and learn how to provide a high-quality counseling service in a multifaceted society.
Conclusion
Enrolling in a Master’s program in counseling became one of my most important decisions, and I have never regretted devoting myself to this particular profession. Nowadays, there is a special need to address contemporary mental health issues and provide high-quality psychological support. I believe that with my personal skills and the knowledge I expect to acquire within this program, I would be able to make my own contribution to the psychological well-being of society.
Reference
Hodges, S. (2020). The professional counselor: Challenges and opportunities. Routledge.