PSYC FPX 4900 Assessment 5 A Mid-Life Career Change PSYC FPX 4900 Psychology Capstone Project
Prof. Name:
Date
A Mid-Life Career Change
The undergraduate FlexPath psychology program at Capella University has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the science of psychology and serves as a stepping stone toward my lifelong dream of becoming a mental health counselor specializing in addictions. Having studied human behavior throughout most of my adult life, this program has enabled me to complete a degree in general psychology, thus opening the door to further academic and professional pursuits. After years of self-education and raising a family, I am now in a unique position to embark on a new career path—one I have always aspired to. The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the knowledge, skills, and values I have acquired through this program, examine the results of self-assessment and self-inventory exercises, and discuss my professional goals and career plans, which I intend to pursue through graduate studies and a SMART action plan.
Assessment and Inventory Results
People are motivated to learn and grow when they can identify what interests them and drives their success (Fenton, 2015). Making career choices based on personal values can lead to greater fulfillment and satisfaction in one’s work. Reflecting on self-assessment and self-inventory, I have identified the following values as central to my personal and career goals: creativity, flexibility, helping others, the impact of my work, and knowledge (Johnson, n.d.). As I pursue a mid-life career change, these values will be instrumental in guiding my future career decisions.
Creativity refers to the ability to generate and implement my ideas regularly (Johnson, n.d.). Creativity is a critical skill, particularly in technology use, which is continually advancing (Fenton, 2015). This trait can be valuable in teletherapy, an area of interest for me, as I aspire to counsel addicts and others anytime and anywhere. Creativity can also help alleviate the monotony of certain tasks, which can hinder success. Flexibility involves the ability to work according to my schedule, which is crucial for maintaining work-life balance. Self-determination theory explains the importance of this value, as it relates to specific motivations that drive work and life behaviors (Whitbourne, 2011). In other words, activities that I can control and direct will most strongly motivate me.
PSYC FPX 4900 Assessment 5 A Mid-Life Career Change
Helping others in society provides me with satisfaction and motivation to contribute to the betterment of society (Johnson, n.d.). My ultimate goal is to specialize in clinical or counseling psychology, focusing on addicts, to assist them with the emotional, behavioral, and psychological challenges associated with their disorder, while also helping them navigate everyday life issues (Kuther, 2016). It is important for me to have the knowledge and skills needed to help others and to use them effectively to impact their lives and mine. My work must result in a sense of accomplishment (Johnson, n.d.). To achieve this, I must focus on both mastery and performance goals. Mastery goals enhance motivation by fostering the acquisition of new skills, leading to higher levels of competence (Fenton, 2015). With greater competence comes an increased ability to help and impact others.
Knowledge involves engaging in satisfying work that includes the pursuit of understanding (Johnson, n.d.). I consider myself a lifelong learner, always seeking more information. It is not enough to simply know something; it requires effort and passion to truly understand. As a counselor, true knowledge and understanding are essential for achieving mastery and positively impacting others.
According to the Career Skills Inventory, the skills I most want to utilize in my future career as an addictions counselor are coaching, counseling, information gathering, listening, and motivating (Nivens, Balke, & Kruzic, n.d.). I believe coaching stems from experience and knowledge, which I possess, aligning with my desire to continuously seek and apply information. Listening skills are crucial yet challenging to master. This is an area I am continuously working on and will need to refine further to confidently and effectively motivate others to grow and change.
Goals and Career Plans
Throughout my life, I have always wanted to help people—whether it be individuals, children, addicts, or anyone in need of someone to listen or to simply know that someone cares. After experiencing a tragic event at the age of 15, I entered therapy to help me cope and heal. This became the highlight of my week, marking the beginning of a lifelong dream. I started college with a psychology degree in mind, unsure of what I wanted to do with it. However, after finishing school, I entered the workforce in sales, using my psychology