What Does It Mean to be a Professional? Fostering Career Readiness in Students through Person Centered Pedagogy
In-Person
Abstract
With such a broad-reaching emphasis on university coursework leading to a “job-ready workforce,” many instructors focus primarily on skill development as a means of preparing students for career demands. Yet, how our students see themselves in the world is essential to developing an identity as a professional. Borrowing from Super’s Person-Fit Model of Career Development, we will discuss how incorporating person-centered pedagogy into everyday coursework can bridge the gap between skills and identity, creating a truly “job-ready workforce."
Presenters
Michael Gerald
Associate Professor
Dr. Michael Gerald is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and Associate Professor in the Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Department. He is also the Designated Director of Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Services at the Sorenson Center for Clinical Excellence, a clinic aimed at helping people with chronic illness and disabilities meet their goals through the clinical mental health process. As an educator, he centers his classrooms on care, empathy, and identity development – key principles for helping counselors in training become career ready.
Jennifer Hunsaker
Prof Practice Asst Professor
Jennifer Hunsaker is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and Professional Practice Assistant Professor in the Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Department. As a clinician, she provides direct services to persons with chronic illness and disability at Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Services at the Sorenson Center for Clinical Excellence. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Jennifer is pursuing a PhD in Disability Disciplines with an emphasis in Rehabilitation Counselor Education and Supervision. Not only is she a person-centered practitioner, she believes that the therapeutic alliance can be extended to the classroom where professional identity development is key to future success of our students.