Many first gens don't realize that there may be distance counseling services available at their college or university. If you find yourself needing help but don't have a way to get to campus, you may consider accessing distance counseling services.
According to the Center for Credentialing and Education* (these are the people who monitor distance counselors to make sure they are following the rules and providing quality services) "distance counseling is a counseling approach that takes the best
practices of traditional counseling as well as some of its own unique
advantages and adapts them for delivery to clients via electronic means
in order to maximize the use of technology-assisted counseling
techniques."
You may ask your Career Services Center, Counseling Center, Students with Disability Resource Center, Academic Advising Office, and other on-campus service providers if they offer distance counseling services, and if so this may be a tool that you can use! I have included a video for you so that you can hear from a distance career counselor, but keep in mind that distance counseling isn't only available for those seeking career services! Happy information hunting!
As consumers of information, it is imperative that one is aware of what qualifications professionals have, and what ethical standards said professionals abide by, in order to judge whether or not their information is valuable and accurate.
Having said that, you may be asking yourself "ok, so what set of ethical codes does Pam abide by, and what are the qualifications that she possesses that would make what she has to say worth reading?" If you weren't asking yourself that question, consider that it's time you start asking yourself that question when being given information!
You can find the American Counseling Associations Code of Ethics (2005) here so that you will be aware of the ethical codes that I follow.
In addition to being aware of what ethical guidelines I abide by as a professional, here you will find information on my professional experience via my Linkedin page.
Congratulations on taking your time to be informed! Happy information hunting!
Hi & welcome to my blog! My name is Pam Wood and I am a graduate student at Florida State University. I will earn my Education Specialist degree and Master of Science degree in Counseling and Human Sciences in April of 2014, at which time I hope to continue to work with first generation (first gens) college students.
I became interested in working with first gens as a result of struggling through the higher education experience myself! As a first generation college student gathering information and identifying resources was an overwhelming, and often times unfruitful, experience. Working with college students and community members at the Florida State University Career Center has also offered me the opportunity to work directly with other individuals who face struggles similar to those that I once faced as a first generation student.
This blog will offer helpful tips, research information and articles to students that are the first in their immediate family (first gens) to attend college or university.
