Chapter 12

This week’s chapter on designing and implementing career development programs for grades K-12 (Brown, 2012) provides great information to our workshop project.  When we first started talking about our workshop, we wanted to cater to the fifth grade elementary school student.  We wanted to find a way to engage them in conversation about career development, but in a way that was enticing and exciting for them.  Ideas about a career day came to mind in the group and we began thinking of jobs that would interest this age group. 

In Chapter 12, Brown (2012) discusses a number of ways to build a career development program in schools.  He talks about creating a needs assessment for the schools and the importance of the schools to know that needs will change and modify as new students enter the schools.  I liked how Brown (2012) broke down the sections of the text into concrete steps of planning a comprehensive program.  He discussed gaining administrative support, establishing preconditions, forming committees and conducting needs assessments as a means to begin the implementation process (Brown, 2012).  These steps offer systematic methods to creating a good cohesive plan.  I find that administrative support is key to a successful endeavor such as a career development program in schools.  I know at my own place of business, if you don’t have the support of the directors or president of your agency; it is difficult to create change.  If the “higher-ups” don’t buy into the mission… more than likely the idea will crumble.  Planning committees are essential also because they drive the mission.  Planning committees have specific jobs and goals and act as conductor of the movement for change.  I found the steps for program implementation for career development in school very similar to initiatives that are created at my job. 

As I am reading more about career development in schools, I think also about my own daughter who is in the fourth grade.  I find myself talking more about career choices and finding out what interests her in regard to occupations.  The section of the text that discusses goals and objectives for different grade levels is a great tool that could be used in schools.  I would like to use this step process with my own daughter to hear her responses and to also build upon current knowledge about career paths.

This chapter will help us as we develop our career workshop for fifth grade students.

Brown, D. (2012).  Career information, career counseling, and career development.   New York: Pearson, Inc.