Real-Life Decision Making
You are an employment counselor on contract to the government. As a consultant,
it's your job to help people on unemployment insurance find work.
This involves exploring the kind of work a client wants to pursue, and
establishing job strategies to get a job in that field. You also have an obligation
to the contractor, in this case the government, to make sure your client's
job strategy is realistic.
One client tells you she wants to be a kindergarten teacher. Claire Brown,
26, has her Grade 12 diploma. Since graduation, she has completed a six-month
secretary course and worked for three years as a secretary. Claire has also
started and dropped out of a medical receptionist program.
"Things were sort of shaky at home that year," she says. "Bob [my
husband] was working nights. The girls weren't in school yet, so getting to
class meant finding a sitter and we just didn't have the money. Now the girls
are in school and Bob is back on days. I know it will be different."
Claire's last job was as the receptionist for a small manufacturing company.
She was laid off four months ago because of company downsizing. But Claire
says she doesn't want to do office work anymore; she wants to work with children.
You know getting a teaching degree will take five years. The government
will only pay for two years, at most. You're concerned that a lengthy school
program will be financially and emotionally draining on the family. You don't
want Claire to quit two years down the road with only half a degree and no
job prospects.
On the other hand, you like Claire. She's intelligent and well spoken.
You think she would be great with children. Without your recommendation, Claire
has little chance of getting financial backing for even two years of the program.
What do you do?