Personal Developmental Trajectory Personal Development Thesis

Career Effectiveness

For many in the workforce, the transition to parenthood marks the beginning of their work-family concerns. Policy makers and parents themselves often believe that the solution is a switch from full-time to part-time work (Stacy, 2000). Further, research shows that throughout early parenthood, women exhibit significant movement into and out of the labor force (Hynes and Clarkberg, 2005). Hence, the learner anticipates big adjustments in her career as she maintains work-family balance. Her career is important to her but at the same time she also holds traditional beliefs about women's roles at home. She sees part-time work as a compromise and believes that as long as her working hours are ideal and can accommodate her family's schedule, she can achieve work-family satisfaction.

Another change that the learner expects to see within the next ten years is a career shift from teaching to counseling. Her teaching experiences within the last few years have led her to believe that she has a knack for listening and genuine desire to help students sort their personal issues and discover their natural skills. The learner hopes to take up a graduate course in student counseling to equip her more in this area. As with any career shift, she is prepared to move school locales where the opportunities arise. To be an effective counselor in a multicultural school community, she has to develop cultural awareness and sensitivity to minor ethnic groups. She might do this by participating or volunteering in multicultural programs and activities.

Communication Style

As a new parent, the learner would expect to have an increased capacity for showing love, both verbally and non-verbally. She might be more gentle in her choice of words.She would learn how to "talk" to babies and later simplify her sentences in order to be understood by a toddler.

Because of the nature of this learner's future schooling and work, her communication skills should improve from training and experience. Counseling requires excellent communication skills as well as the ability to empathize with people.

Conclusion

In summary, the learner expects some significant lifestyle changes within the next ten years from her plans of starting a family and furthering her career. Specifically, she predicts to have first-hand experience of the gender affects of starting a family. She would face challenges in work-family life balance. She expects changes within her immediate environment from starting a new family and career. She expects to see improved communication skills from being a new mother and new role as school counselor.

References

Baxter, J., Hewitt, B., & Haynes, M. (2008). Life Course Transitions and Housework: Marriage, Parenthood, and Time on Housework. Journal of Marriage and Family, 70(2), 259-272. Retrieved August 8, 2009, from Academic Research Library. (Document ID: 1480181971).

Bell, L., Goulet, C., St.-Cy Tribble, D., Paul, D., and et al. (2007). Mothers' and Fathers' Views of the Interdependence of Their Relationships With Their Infant: A Systems Perspective on Early Family Relationships. Journal of Family Nursing, 13(2), 179-200. Retrieved August 8, 2009, from Academic Research Library. (Document ID: 1263069831).

Hynes, K. & Clarkberg, M. (2005). Women's Employment Patterns During Early Parenthood: A Group-Based Trajectory Analysis. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67(1), 222-239. Retrieved August 8, 2009, from Academic Research Library. (Document ID: 793028991).

Kim, S. (2000). Gradual return to work: The antecedents and consequences of switching to part-time work after first childbirth. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Pennsylvania,.....