PSYC FPX 4900 Assessment 5 A Mid-Life Career Change

Student Name

Capella University

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 knowledge to succeed in that field. After 25 years and raising a family, I realized that a career in sales is not my true passion, and I am now in a unique position to create a new, fulfilling career path.

Professional Philosophy

I believe that the effort you put into a career determines what you get out of it, whether that effort involves time, continuing education, or other resources. To work as a mental health counselor, one must earn a master’s degree in psychology. Obtaining this degree opens up options to work as a clinical mental health counselor, a social worker, or in other selected jobs within the psychology field (McKay, 2016). The requirements for becoming a licensed addictions counselor vary by state; some states do not require a master’s degree for certification, while others require full licensing. My bachelor’s degree in psychology has provided me with the foundational tools for becoming a therapeutic counselor, but I plan to pursue a master’s degree in addictions to specialize in this critical field. A master’s degree may also open up another desired career path: private practice (Counselor-License, 2017). In this setting, I may work with individuals who voluntarily seek treatment, allowing me to achieve the work-life balance and freedom I desire.

Professional Goals

The FlexPath program at Capella University has been the most satisfying educational experience I have encountered. It has allowed me the flexibility to progress at my own pace, work when I want, and save money by completing more classes in a shorter period than in a traditional setting. I plan to continue this success in the master’s program at Capella University. I am highly self-motivated and have a history of setting and achieving goals, both in my professional life (sales career) and personal life (wife and mother).

Professional Behaviors

I believe in learning first and teaching second, which I see as the foundation for a successful counseling career. According to my Career Skills Inventory, my strongest qualities are my thirst for information, my attentive and empathetic listening, and my passion for teaching and motivating others to reach their full potential. Combined with my organizational skills and self-motivation, I am eager to apply the personal and professional values I have worked hard to cultivate.

Motivation

Motivational theories can help explain and provide strategies for overcoming obstacles in pursuit of goals. Cognitive motivation theory explores how our expectations shape our behavior (Whitbourne, 2011). According to Feldman (2017), two types of motivation drive us: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation fuels our inner potential and aligns with our interests, leading us to behave in ways that satisfy our dreams and goals, resulting in positive outcomes (Feldman, 2017). Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, refers to our desire for money, status, and recognition for our work and contributions. Both forms of motivation are important to me as I pursue a counseling career at this stage in my life. Having waited half of my adult life to follow my counseling dream, I am also motivated by self-actualization theory, which explains how we look to our inner potential for motivation (Whitbourne, 2011). When I first attended college after high school, I lacked the confidence in my potential and was more focused on financial security. Now, I am willing to forgo some of that security to pursue my true passion.

Action Plan

An action plan serves to define personal and professional goals and outline the necessary steps to achieve them. An action plan should include both long-term and short-term goals, which can be measured quantitatively (Howell, n.d.). Goals must be achievable and realistic; they can be challenging but should not be impossible. Additionally, all goals should have a deadline with target dates to stay on track.

Once I complete my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, I plan to apply to graduate school within six months. I intend to pursue a Master’s degree in Psychology, and although my initial interest was in the MS Addiction Studies program, I have thrived in the FlexPath program and would like to continue at that pace. I have since decided to pursue the Master’s in Child and Adolescent Development program because I believe many addictions originate in childhood, and I want to focus on the root causes and master this developmental specialty.

This program offers a FlexPath option, which is ideal for me and will help me stay on track with my goals. I also plan to pursue Capella University’s online Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior Certificate to enhance my understanding of addictive and compulsive behaviors. My goal is to complete the Master’s program in one year and any specialty certificate programs within six months. I aim to obtain mental health counseling licenses within two years, if not sooner. In two years, my youngest children will be heading off to college, making it the perfect time for me to dive into this new and exciting career path. In the meantime, I hope to secure a job, whether as an intern or in a paid position, within a behavioral health system to learn the ropes and gain firsthand experience.

Conclusion

A well-structured career plan and action plan are essential for achieving career goals. When pursuing a career in psychology or counseling, one cannot simply browse job listings and choose a position that looks appealing. There are many factors to consider and steps to complete before selecting a specific career in psychology. It is important to identify one’s interests and values as they relate to a fulfilling career, which can be done through education and self-assessment. Many career options in psychology have specific licensing requirements, and it is crucial to assess a person’s character and values to determine the best career fit. I have known for most of my life

that my passion is to help people, specifically addicts and those with mental health challenges. I feel fortunate to have the time and resources to obtain a Bachelor’s degree at Capella University, which has brought me closer to achieving my dream. I have already begun applying to graduate programs and have a clear vision for my future. My goals include completing a Master’s degree in Psychology within one year, obtaining certification and licenses within two years, and launching my career in mental health and addiction counseling. While it has taken me half my life to get to this point, I have never been more confident in my abilities, values, or decisions.

References

Counselor-License. (2017). What are addiction counselors? Retrieved from http://www.counselor-license.com/careers/addictioncounselor.html#context/api/listings/prefilter

Feldman, R. S. (2017). Understanding psychology. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

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Fenton, N. (2015). Using the ‘top 20 principles’. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/ptn/2015/09/top-20-principles.aspx

Howell, C. (n.d.). SMART Goals. Retrieved from http://media.capella.edu/coursemedia/UG099GS099/smart/smart_ts.html

Johnson, J. (n.d.). Work Values Card Sort. Retrieved from http://media.capella.edu/CourseMedia/CPLU1100_CPL5100/WorkValuesCardSort/workValues_ts.html

Kuther, T. L. (2016). The psychology major’s handbook (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.