New faces and opportunities

Yesterday there were four new students who began their work placements at the centre. They're from the same program that I completed and I'll be the Practicum Supervisor for one of them which I'm very excited about. The student I'll be working with seems really nice and is very enthusiastic about being at the centre. She's already jumping right in by assisting clients and staff in the ERC (Employment Resource Centre) and by asking lots of questions.

This Friday, we'll be meeting to discuss her learning contract and objectives in detail. I have a few project ideas that I've already proposed to her that she seemed quite open to. We've also discussed opportunities such as observing workshops, counselling sessions and resume/cover letter critiques which are things that I found most helpful while I was doing my own placement.

Coincidentally, I'll be having lunch on Thursday with the woman who was my supervisor while I was doing my practicum (and who is now my mentor) so I can ask her some questions, if necessary.

I can't say how grateful I am to be working at this new location. I feel so fortunate to be there and to be able to partake in all of the opportunities presented to me. The days are full and go by quickly but I feel like I'm accomplishing a lot in the time that I'm there. I'm also learning and laughing and chatting a lot. :)

What you love

My practicum ended on Friday, August 28th. My supervisor took me out for lunch to a wonderful Thai restaurant and we exchanged gifts and sentiments. I felt incredibly fortunate to have been paired up with her as my supervisor for the practicum. She was an amazing mentor and gave me many opportunities to challenge myself. She provided every opportunity for me to debrief with her, gain constructive feedback, develop and apply the skills that I came with, cultivate new skills, explore avenues that might be of interest to me and inspired me with her professionalism and kindness. The rest of the staff were also very supportive by letting me observe and ask questions throughout my "stay". I always felt welcomed and part of the team. One of the other counsellors shared my love of paper and we had some very special conversations that I won't soon forget. I'm going to miss going in every day and seeing everyone but have been asked to work on a newsletter by the manager which is very exciting!

I learned first-hand about the many facets of the counselling process from intake to individualized counselling; assisting and co-facilitating with stand-alone workshops on job search techniques to formal group settings (exploring careers, self-assessment and dealing with transitions); one-on-one resume critiques to administering assessments, as well as report writing and creating action plans. I discovered how much I love one-on-one counselling, particularly because it's very much about hearing people's narratives and working with them individually. Despite being an introvert, I did enjoy facilitating workshops and found that I'm capable of modulating my voice but just need more practice. I'm looking into Toastmasters or some other group that I could join to improve these skills for the fall.

The most valuable thing that happened during my ten weeks was the re-evaluation of my decision to pursue Career Counselling and how I fit in as a professional in the field. I witnessed how the counselling process is capable of transforming lives and effecting change – whether it be by increasing an individual’s confidence, allowing a person to dream and explore different career paths or finding meaning in their lives (all of which have been the case for me). In this sense, I felt that my practicum has been life-changing. For this, I’m forever grateful.

Another dimension

I led my first workshop on Personality Dimensions today. It was part of the Communications component for a larger workshop which is running for three weeks at my practicum placement. At first, I was really nervous for a couple of reasons: 1) I am not one of those people who is a gifted presenter and 2) my supervisor is one of those people...and she was there to watch me. I knew that she was actually there more for support more than anything else but still, a part of me wanted to impress her with my charismatic speaking style and the amazing way I engaged the audience. Of course, none of these things happened but I did manage to deliver my part of the workshop and it felt good to get the first one out of the way.

My supervisor was very supportive and provided me with constructive feedback afterwards which I will definitely take to heart. Some of the things she touched on were my tone (it needed to be louder) and just speaking with a little more confidence. (It's interesting because I've been accused of being a "low talker", though many might be surprised to hear that I was once known for my boisterousness as I was growing up.) I think both of these things can be improved upon through continued practice and as I gain more experience in the field. I look forward to the day when I'll have an arsenal of witty anecdotes that I can pull out of a hat and when my voice projects across the room effortlessly.

I think I've been really fortunate at my practicum because I've been able to observe and learn from such amazing facilitators - each with their own unique way of presenting that seems to capture and resonate with those that they are presenting to. I've taken notes - both physically and mentally - on ways to improve my own style of presenting and what I've loved most about each workshop and the individual who has given it.

I think of how lucky I am that my experience at my placement has been so positive because I think of how the opposite may have really tainted my view of the profession and perhaps even made me doubt my decision to enter this field. My path may have gone in a different direction or ended altogether. I've teetered back and forth throughout this program with the idea that perhaps this isn't what I'm supposed to do and that maybe I've made a mistake but through this practicum I've dispelled many of the lingering doubts in my mind. True, I doubt I'll ever be 100% about anything (unless it involves traveling, writing letters, using fountain pens, collecting ephemera, watching movies and taking photographs - all simultaneously) but it's the closest I've gotten so far. Every day I'm given the opportunity to learn through these amazing professionals and see how their work provides meaning to others, themselves and to me.

I think it's going to be a really sad day when my practicum ends. (Sigh)

Just thinking

Some of you may have noticed that I haven't been blogging as much these days. Nothing serious - just a case of deep reflection. Since I started my practicum for school, I've been thinking a lot about the profession I've chosen and I how I fit into it (not to mention a few other things). I feel horrible because there have been some really special events that have happened during this time that I haven't given attention to such as meeting J's beautiful niece and welcoming (back) his sister & brother-in-law to Canada, not to mention celebrating H's performance in a play. These events have made the summer really special thus far.

As for my practicum - I've been fortunate to secure a placement at a women-centred program with a group of professional and lovely people. My supervisor has been really wonderful with regards to my learning experience where I am. I've been observing the counsellors facilitate their workshops and do their intakes and have had opportunities to jump in during sessions with clients to help with resumes and cover letters. Starting this week, I'll have more client contact as I facilitate mini-tutorials on business cards and meeting with clients for resume critiques.

The people at the placement are so supportive and friendly. They are always mindful of including me during their workshops and have made me feel like a part of the team. My supervisor is no exception - she's always available and open to me learning as much as possible during my time there. She's a great listener and mentor.

Three of the counsellors graduated from the program I'm in and my supervisor has an MSW. I'm seeing many of the techniques I've learned in my program being applied during intake and group facilitation such as the administration of Common Assessment to linking and all of the other skills that have been ingrained in us over the past 6 months. One of the things I've really enjoyed is sitting in on the intake sessions where the clients share their stories of how they came to the program. I love listening to their narratives and seeing how their lives have unfolded. I also really enjoy the workshops, specifically, for the group process as I see the transitions day-to-day and the stages the group goes through.

As for the profession itself, to be honest, I began to have serious doubts about my path. After almost a decade of working in various office settings and thinking I had finally escaped that environment, I saw myself surrounded by the familiar trappings of an administrative nightmare - cubicles, that tweed-like fabric covering chairs, the whirring of office machinery and brown bag lunches. It felt very much like so many other places that I had been and grew to oppose. I felt like I had found another glorified office gig. I went home feeling sad and confused and have been in limbo ever since (hence, the lack of communication).

Luckily, with each day, I've been (re)discovering the things that attracted me to the profession in the first place such as the helping aspect, the flashes of creativity, facilitating groups and even the documentation involved. Thankfully, I get to meet with fellow classmates (some of whom have become dear friends) once a week to debrief and share my experiences with. The commonality in our experiences is that we're all learning - not just about the profession but about ourselves.

Hope you've been doing well and having a nice summer. Talk soon. xo