Personal Blog Post #3

Page 71 - Learning and Moving On

An issue that I'm currently facing is what to do with my future in terms of my psychology degree.

1) Five characteristics of the problem:

• Whether to just continue on for a masters degree, or whether to strive for a doctorate 
• If I want my masters degree to be in psychology, counseling, or social work
• What is available in terms of education in South Carolina (I'm moving after I receive my Bachelor's)
• What jobs are currently available and hiring
• What will pay a decent salary but keep me happy

2) What are 3 strengths that you have that will help you to address the problem?

• I take time in thinking things through, I never leave a stone unturned
• I'm decisive when it concerns my future
• I'm open minded

3) What barriers have you created that keep you from addressing the problem effectively?

• I worry too much about what others say to influence my decision
• I have a tendency like the idea of something but not actually want to do it

4) Who can you use as a sounding board or to help you think through the problem?

My psychology and human development professor, Mr. Boyd. He has been a genuine inspiration and encouragement and I know he'll help me figure out what best suits me.

5) What are the real barriers to addressing the issue?

• Employment rates - can I even get a job?
• The economy - will I make enough money to support myself well?
• Not wanting to end up with a job I don't look forward to going to every day - I don't want to choose something I'll regret

6) What are you going to do to address these barriers?

Pay more attention to the news to learn about job rates, research on average how much someone makes in each profession I'm interested in, and then use though in consideration to picking whatever will be the most fulfilling for me. 

7) Has the way you feel about the future changed since you identified a way to begin addressing the problem? 

A slight bit. It's a lot of work just to address the barriers, and even more work follows that.

8) What this problem has to do with my identity:

College is currently a huge part of my identity, and the future job I end up with will be a huge part of who I am. It's what I will dedicate most of my time to. 

9) What this problem has to do with my sense of self-efficacy: 

This issue involves a lot of completing tasks and reaching of goals. All of college, and my future job will revolve around those two things.

10) What this problem has to do with my affective skill set:

 Being able to make a huge decision regarding my future takes skills. It may not seem it, but this decision will affect just about every other aspect of my life. If I can get through this, I can handle other problems as well.