My Young Adulthood Years

As discussed in the module about creativity and expertise, the expertise begins with the decision of a college major.The development of expertise takes years to develop. I completely agree with this statement. Upon graduation I thought I knew who I wanted to become as an adult but it took longer than expected.


There are four stages of vocational maturity. The first one is the implementation stage. This is where you start to explore possible career choices. When I started my first year of college, I wanted to be nurse. I started taking the nursing courses such as Anatomy, biology, etc. While taking those courses, I realized that was not my strength. During my freshman year and start of my second college, I started to work at a doctor's office in medical records. There were two special needs students that came in for occupational therapy. I spoke to the OT and realized that is what I wanted to be. I was so interested in the student's disabilities. I looked into colleges with OT programs and visited one in Miami. I even applied and interviewd for OT programs at universities. I needed to complete ninety hours in specific courses in order to be accepted into a OT program. Well lets say I met my husband and things took at 360 degree turn.


During this time, I was completing my seventh year and going on my fourth university. I was taking courses in Human Services and making all A's with a 4.0 GPA. During my junior and senior year, I was required to complete internships. The program felt this was a wonderful way to find our career path and and I agree. I interned with an OT doing hippo therapy, a program for sexually abused children, mentally challenged children, and a school for autistic children.





As you can see I started to know which area I wanted to concentrate in. I knew I loved working with children that have been sexually abused. I assisted the counselor in group therapy for young girls that had been sexually abused. I was fascinated with the legal aspect of it. I also was very fascinated in working with children with Autism. I was an assistant facilitator for children with Autism at a school in Atlanta, Ga. After graduation with a BA in Human Services, I moved from Atlanta, Ga to South Georgia to live with my husband who was stationed there. I had many opportunities in Atlanta compared to South Georgia. I searched for jobs in South Georiga working either with sexually abused children or special needs children. Due to the lack or resources in the area, I had a very difficult time finding jobs within these fields.



I knew I had to find a job that helped individuals. I was hired as a Account Manager for a Human Resources firm. I helped individuals find jobs. I was in charge of all HR functions. I was able to use a lot of my skills I learned in college to help my employees. Most of them came from low income and troubled families. I worked in the position for two years and realized I am not doing what I am called to do.



The second stage is the establishment stage. This is where your career choice has been determined and the training and education is received.. I thought really hard about what makes me happy in life. After ten years of trying to find myself the light came on. My husband and I moved back to his home town in Texas so that I could attend SFA. At this time I applied to SFA to the special education department to obtain my masters. I knew I wanted to become a special education teacher and later on a Diagnostician. I knew I wanted to receive my Master's in Education. I have always taken education very important in my life. I am currently taking courses to receive my Masters in Education and enrolled in the PBIC program.



I am currently working as a paraprofessional in a self-contained classroom to gain more experience. To be honest I am terrified about next year as becoming a first year teacher. I know it is going to take me years to gain the knowledge of working with special needs children. As mentioned in the module, first year employees usually use a one-size-fits all approach. I feel that is how our brains work. We have to work many years hands on in the our field of expertise to gain the knowledge and understanding. I am very excited about starting my career next year as a special education teacher!


The third stage is the maintenance stage. This is where your career is firmly established and are able to put more focus on activities outside the job such as family events. The fourth stage is the declaration stage where you start to plan retirement. The final stage is the retirement stage when you are able to retire from your career.


I have a long time until the last three stages take place. I am looking forward to those days. I know we all are!