Running Head: CAREER EXPLORATION PAPER 1
Career Exploration Paper
Liberty University
Qua’Nesha Wallace
CAREER EXPLORATION PAPER 2
Career Exploration Paper
Introduction
Unless otherwise cited, the career information presented in this paper was obtained from
O*NET On-Line (National Center for O*NET Development, 20XX). Personality interest surveys
are used to help individuals explore their career interested based off their personality. Personality
interest surveys measure and evaluate the level of an individual’s interested or preference based
off their personality. The O*Net Interest Profiler explores different personality types developed
by John Holland called The Holland Theory. The six personality types that he explores are
realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional. Understanding each theory
can help individual’s identify their careers and educational program that fit them.
After taking the O*NET Interest Profiler my scores was very impressive but right on. My
Holland Code Results were: 10 for realistic, 16 for investigative, 9 for artistic, 30 for social, 17
for enterprising, and 8 for conventional. My top 3 Holland vocational personality types were
social, enterprising, and investigative. Before taking the interest survey, I wrote a list down of the
things that I value. The top five things that I value in life is affectionate, security, friendships,
having a family and wealth. After taking the interest survey, I notice how some of my values
align with my personality type, especially social.
The career field that my results from the O*NET Interest Profile indicate was working in
a social environment. The occupation that I chose was Marriage and Family Therapist SOC code
21-1013.00. The three primary Holland Codes for this specific occupation is social, artistic, and
investigative. This occupational characteristics and requirements fit with my current interests and
values by valuing and understanding the importance of family. Affectionate and having a family
was things that was on my list that I value. Marriage and family therapist focus on the treatment
CAREER EXPLORATION PAPER 3
of mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples and family systems.
This fits with my career goals because I am currently attending school to become a licensed
professional counselor. My current career goal is to help individuals to promote optimum mental,
emotional, and behavioral health (National Center for O*NET Development, 2016). Some
advantages that I see in using O*NET in my future career as a counselor is being able to identify
job openings. Some limitations I see in using O*NET in my future career as a counselor is not
being able to identify marginalizing communities where counselors are needed and have a high
demand.
The Nature of the Work
According to O*NET Online (2016), the duties of a Marriage and Family therapist
consist of applying psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery
of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed
nervous and mental disorder. Marriage and Family Therapist diagnosed and treat mental and
emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage
and family systems (National Center for O*NET Development, 2016). Some necessary skills that
are required for Marriage and Family therapist is being able to active listen. The therapist must
be able to give their full attention to what other people are saying, take their time to understand
the points that are being made, ask appropriate questions and not interrupt. Another require skill
is that they must have social perceptiveness. They must be aware of others’ reaction and
understand why individuals react the way they do. Marriage and Family therapist must be able to
assist clients with identifying appropriate actions. In addition, Marriage and Family therapist
must be able to actively look for ways to help people and be able to convey information
effectively.
CAREER EXPLORATION PAPER 4
Some detailed activities that Marriage and Family therapist engage in is counsel clients or
patients regarding personal and interpersonal issues. They also teach life skills or strategies to
clients or their families. Therapist maintain client records and develop treatment pan for patients
or clients. They work to established and maintain interpersonal relationship over time with their
client by developing constructive and cooperative working relationship. A typical work day
consist of assisting and caring for others, documenting and recording information, making
decisions and solving problems and collecting information through observing and relevant
sources.
Working Conditions
The work environment for marriage and family therapist has a variety of settings, such as
mental health centers, substance abuse treatment centers, and hospitals. The hours can various
based on the needs of the client. Many therapist do not work on weekends, but weekend hours
are considerate based on the work setting. If its private practice, than marriage and family
therapist can have a choice to work on the weekends or not. Typically, marriage and family
therapist work alone, outside of having secretary’s or receptionist. However, if group therapy is
involved it is likely that they will have a co-facilitator based on how large the group is. The type
of supervision that is required must be from a licensed therapist who meet the supervision
requirements. A minimum of 1.5 hour a month of supervision is require when seeing clients. The
population that marriage and family therapist work with varies. They can work with adolescents
in family settings, and adults. Although, marriage and family therapist has a variety of work
duties, the psychological aspect of the work settings can be really stressful. Therapist are
mandated reporters, so they have to report any signs of abuse and neglect, as well as be involve
in any crisis situations that may occur.
CAREER EXPLORATION PAPER 5
Preparation and Qualifications
To become a marriage and family therapist, applicants need a master’s degree in a related
field such as psychology, marriage and family therapy, or a mental health field (Occupational
Outlook Handbook, 2010). Marriage and family therapy programs teach students how marriages,
families, and relationships function and how these relationships can affect mental and emotional
disorders (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010). While searching for programs to attend, it is
important that individual’s look up their state requirements for marriage and family therapist to
ensure that they are aware of their state requirements for licensure as well as the program
accreditation. Based on the school, individual may be required to take a comprehensive
examination to demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skills they learned throughout their
program. Post degree, individuals will gain hands-on experience through supervised clinical
work, which is referred to as an internship or residency. Throughout the internship or residency,
they learn to provide family therapy, group therapy, psychotherapy, and other therapeutic
interventions, under the supervision of a licensed counselor (Occupational Outlook Handbook,
2010). All states require marriage and family therapist to be license. Based on the state,
individuals are required to work to complete 2,000 to 4,000 hours of post degree supervised
clinical experience, also referred as an internship or residency. In addition, individuals must pass
their state exam and complete continuing education class annual.
Opportunities and Future Outlook
The geographic distribution nationally is $59,050. It is expected to grow 22% within the
next 8 years. (Career one stop, 2017). The work size can various based on the setting that the
therapist is working in. If it’s a private practice than it will have a smaller firm compared to if it’s
in a hospital. There are a variety of related opportunities in this field such as mental health
CAREER EXPLORATION PAPER 6
counselors, clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists, mental health and substance abuse
social workers, and neuropsychologists and clinical neuropsychologist (Career One stop, 2017).
Economic and Non-Economic Benefits
As an entry-level therapist, the average annual earning in Virginia Beach $50,380
compared to the United States which is $49,610. Some related benefits that marriage and family
therapist may have is insurance, vacation, and sick leave. If it’s in a private practice setting, they
may be required to seek their own insurance. Also, therapists will be able to arrange their
schedule based off their availability. The non-economic benefits that therapist has is the personal
satisfaction with helping their patients and client reach their desire goal through treatment and
planning. However, it is very important that therapist keep their work life separate from their
personal life due to confidentiality that they must uphold while working with clients.
Disadvantages and/or Special Situations
Some disadvantages of being a marriage and therapist is irregular work hours. Therapist
may be required to work irregular work hours such as early morning, late nights and possibly
weekends. Therapist is also on called, due to any crisis situation that may arise. When a therapist
is called for a crisis, they must make their self-availability to assist their clients through the crisis
that they may be experience. Most therapist are not required to travel; however, in some cases
therapist may travel for workshops and development training.
Conclusion
The aspects of this occupational characteristics and requirements that are appealing to me
is being able to help people work through whatever situations that they are going through. I value
having a family, so if I am able to help other families throughout their situations that they may
face I feel as I am doing my purpose. There was no aspect that disappointed me; however, they
CAREER EXPLORATION PAPER 7
was somethings that was surprising. I was surprised to see some of the settings that marriage and
family therapist work in such as hospital. I always visualize a marriage and family therapist
working in a small room with couples or families. I was surprised to know they also work in
hospital settings. After researching information on marriage and family therapist, I learned that
my personality replicate a therapist. In my personal life, I am always the person everyone talk to
solve problems and simply vent. I am great at actively listening, which is a required skilled for a
therapist. Being that I will like to relocate, some advantages of using O*NET in my future career
as a counselor is being able to look up the wages and salary based on the state that I am
considering moving to. Also, being able to view current job openings. Some limitation of using
O*NET is not being able to identify marginalize community that lack resources for therapist.
This is important to me because I come from a marginalize community, where we didn’t have
much resources. I always stated I want to be able to give back to communities similar to mine, in
my way of doing that is by providing necessary resources. I can use the Career Exploration
Process in my future practice as a reference to help guide me throughout my career and if I
wanted to make any changes in my career.
CAREER EXPLORATION PAPER 8
References
CareerOneStop. (2017, March 21). Retrieved June 23, 2020, from
https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?
keyword=Marriage+and+Family+Therapists
Marriage and Family Therapists : Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2020, April 10). Retrieved
June 23, 2020, from https://www.bls.gov/OOH/community-and-social-service/marriage-
and-family-therapists.htm
National Center for O*NET Development. (2010). Summary Report: Marriage and Family
Therapist. (O*Net Report No. 21-1013.00). Retrieved from O*Net Online website:
http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1013.00
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