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The paradox of the career professional's identity |
People who know me will laugh, but I had to ask the question of this particular discussion group: What do you call yourself as an independent career professional and do you feel your customers understand your vocational moniker?
I suspect the time is long overdue to get our name right and have a consistent professional identity that the public understand. And this needs to bridge the independent and public service sectors. Policy spends so little time truly engaging with people. Next I'll get into the semantics that suffocate all of us, customers and practitioners alike!! |
| Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:44 pm |
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Re: The paradox of the career professional's identity |
| Perhaps we should gain a charter and become chartered career practitioners. That would undoubtedly improve the standing of this profession |
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| Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:17 am |
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Re: The paradox of the career professional's identity |
Anyone can follow an occupation, and seqentially several different ones, adhering to their craft, technical and professional standards and competencies, as appropriate.
The occupation we follow in the ICG, private or public, is surely that of a vocational guidance practitioner.
In the City of Leeds, in the 1960s, John Tunnadine who was the Youth Employment Officer, wisely ensured that his professional staff were either appointed Vocational or Senior Vocational Guidance Officer.
This was much better than being appointed an Assistant Youth Employment Officer. Some parents expressed the view that they wanted their children to be dealt with dealt with by the plumber and not the plumber's mate. Employers phoning up would enquire 'Is that the Juvenile Employment Labour Dole Office?'
At that time the University of Leeds, accurately understanding what we were up to, had established its Vocational Guidance Research Unit. Peter Dawes its Director gave us a lot of support. The schools accepted us, though like their pupils they were a bit mystified by the
Vocational Guidance handle. However, more generally Careers Officer became the preferred apiration. One suspects this was because many disliked the placement aspects and resented the claim that guidance and placement were undivided functions. |
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