On-line guidance

In the past guidance was offered mostly through face to face contact. Nowadays the use of Information Communication Technology has a huge impact on guidance work. Different communication channels such as web chat, e-mail, on-line discussion forum and even text messages are available. Although these are becoming more popular, some people can argue about their usefulness and effectiveness.

I could see pros and cons of e-guidance form the perspective of client and adviser. I agree that e-guidance saves time, and is an easy way to communicate with different people. I also believe that being anonymous is an advantage of using e-guidance, because some people might not feel relaxed enough to ask certain questions and find out more information in a face to face situation. I also agree that by using e-guidance an adviser has time to think about the answers which she/he is giving to the client. I think this is very useful so that the adviser can check with colleagues and research the answer, rather than giving a quick response. The adviser could feel under less pressure, and more comfortable to give a high quality service. I think the challenge for advisers using e-mail service can be learning to analyze the text and building a warm rapport and dialogue through the written text!!!!

I could see some disadvantages of e-guidance. There are some concerns about the lack of dialogue and interactivity between adviser and client. I am sure people always will be looking for interaction with other people as this is a human nature!! It does not matter if is a guidance or different area. I think communicating online could make it more difficult for the advisers to identify clients needs, and match their needs to relevant resources!!! Advisers could find it difficult to understand what is in the client’s mind and read between the lines!! So, to fix that can take a while sending messaging back and forwards. In my opinion this could be a real risk for effective guidance!!!

I would not be surprised if in a future one to one contact disappeared. Now everything is about moving things into information technology and using online services. It will be interesting to see which way guidance goes…

Reflection about the placement…

I must say my placement in Bridges Project has given me a real taste of social exclusion which young people face. I have been reading a lot about the huge potential which they can offer to society and now
I have real picture in front of me!! Most of the youngsters are very nice. They are interested in many different things such as music sport, art; good at knowledge quizzes and so on. A good thing is that they are really keen to develop themselves as a person!!! However, most of them have real barriers!!!!! Nearly every time it is noticeable that their personal beliefs prevent them from seeing further opportunities. For example, people around them always treat them as being nothing and without any interests just because they were born in a certain kind of environment.

During this placement I have noticed that quite often people can’t see what qualities they have, and they mostly concentrate on the negatives. It was very interesting to find out how gifted people such as Beethoven or Newton had been told that they never are going to achieve anything in their lives!! It shows how people can put others down and classify them in a non- achiever category. This is why I am really pleased places like the Bridges Project exist!! They concentrate on the young person, and they really put an effort to build them up and support them!!!

Which community am I a part of?

Our lecture today about community psychology reminds me of the TV programme about Polish people who are living in Peterburgh. Basically, this is a story of the small town which has had a huge number of arrivals from Eastern Europe, mostly Polish. This has reached the point where many of the English people living there moved out, as they no longer felt part of the local community.

I really think that the theory of McMillan & Chavis is a great explanation of this situation. The same nationality and similar background brings these people together. I have impression that they made their own little world were to get into you will need to have membership. If you are Polish or Eastern European you will be accepted otherwise there is no entry. Emotional connection appears here as well, they share the same feeling of being immigrant and any other emotions related to these issues. Through integrating, they feel comfortable and secure. Being together means “we have something to say”, other people can hear us.

This example show how powerful community can be. This situation could apply to any community that is living in a different country or area. I question my self as an immigrant “Am I a part of the Polish community?” I don’t make an effort to become a part of this community, but because there are so many Poles here, it has happened without me realising. This is something which appears without my control. I go to Polish shops and Polish mass also, I have Polish friends. This makes me feel I am a part of them. However, I am not pleased to attend any Polish social or interests clubs. I avoid integrated only with Polish people, as in my opinion to do so is a little bit narrow-minded. From my general observation I would disagree with Karolina, as I do think that immigrants have always made their own communities, and I don’t see why they won’t continue to do so in the future. There is the psychological reasoning behind this, but the main reason is that people feel stronger together, and a new place feels less intimidating when you are not alone.

Although I am a part of the Polish Community in Edinburgh, a large part of my life is now with the local community. I would place myself to be more with the local community. For example I am a member of the local Friends of the Earth Group. I work with, study with, and socialise with Scottish people.

Where do you cross the line????

Recent Career Interview Experience

I was recently asked by a friend to meet a colleague of hers. This lady had been working in the Kitchen of a Nursing Home for a number of years, and was looking for a change. I was quite excited by the opportunity to speak with her about her options, as I thought I would be able to help her, and it is always good to get a chance to practice my interview skills!

Early on in the interview I realised that the client was hoping for some clear information, rather than the guidance I could offer her. At first I felt disappointed that she wasn’t able to get what she was looking for. The client was expecting me to tell them step by step what to do. By the end of the interview I was able to give the client some details on where she would need to go to get the information she required, and this will hopefully set her on the right path. This is not the first time I have noticed that clients expect you to give the recipe for their perfect career in one interview.

This was a good example of where the expectations of the interview were different for the client and the interviewer. Although the client was looking for information, in the end I was able to offer her guidance. Although this was not what she was looking for at first, by the end of the interview she was quite excited about the options which she could think about.

This is another example of why counselling skills are so important in career guidance. Being able to raise self awareness of the client, offer encouragement, and help them realise their own self direction are important skills. This is much more important than simply knowing a long list of courses and careers that anyone with access to the internet could find for themselves!