Post #11

            When reading Chapter 12, the implementation of career development programs is not a quick, simple, easy thing.  The implementation of career development programs is a process which starts with gaining support and establishing preconditions (Brown, 2012, p. 264).  It is apparent after reading the text that a lot of the preparation revolves around budgeting.  Since the budget is very tight with the downward trend in the economy, teachers and counselors need to estimate their expenditures and state the purpose of each component proving why these elements would be pertinent to the school system.  The importance of the career development programs is presented in relation to goals that will be achieved by the implementation of these programs such as less dropout rates or increasing enrollment in college (Brown, 2012).  Each teacher, administrator, or professional who wants to use tools and assessments in the educational system to benefit their students has to plead their case so to speak.  This process sounds exhausting and grueling.  By the time these career development programs become approved or pass judgment, too many students will miss out on their benefits.  A school should be allotted these programs at their disposal to benefit their students.  I don’t think it should be a mystery and a case that needs pled to understand why these components would be helpful for students.  Perhaps it really comes down to the school district re-evaluating their budget and deciding where money will truly be well spent.

            Also when looking at the high school level, Brown (2012) states that high school students need deep career exploration involving skills, interests, and values in order to choose entry-level jobs.  The way to achieve this deep exploration for these students is through internships, interviews, shadowing opportunities, and part-time occupations (Brown, 2012).  If the budget is so tight causing every career development program to go through massive scrutiny and approval, some of these resources may be limited for these students who greatly need these services.  Without guidance counselors to aid these students in their exploration, how will they know how to proceed?  Without tools and assessments to measure their interests, how will they know what field and interests to cultivate and search?  Deprived of these elements, students will be sent to blindly discover their own path in the career world.  Spending money to help them be productive members of society and have the opportunity to find a suitable career that meets their needs and interests is practical and appropriate.  By not providing the right tools for these students to experience ample career exploration, we are selling them short for future goals and life aspirations.  I believe a process needs to exist to monitor our budgeting and spending; however, the process should not be so brutal and antagonizing for an area of such great need.

References

Brown, D. (2012). Career information, career counseling, and career development (10^th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson Education, Inc.