SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY: Embedding traditional student

services in academic programmes

Mark Rainier, Nicola Stone, Angela Baker

Student Counselling and Career Services

Massey University, Palmerston North

• The importance of independence & administrative neutrality– ANZSSA guidelines– International Association of Counselling– Baker (2006):

• somewhat uneasy and unclear relationship between “counselling’ and the broader “pastoral care” of other student services

• “At the bottom of the cliff”?

THE TRADITIONAL PLACE OF THE COUNSELLOR

THE PROBLEM WITH ACADEMICS!

• Chandler (1977)– They have “made it”– Study is seldom easy

for students

• Differing goals

• Differing “viewing sights”

OUR INTENTION

• Bridging the divide– Pastoral care– Massey University– Specific initiatives– Positive outcomes

• Our bias

PASTORAL CARE

• Moral tutor

• Deficit model – add on for those who cannot cope

• Massification & performance based– employability

• “We are not polytechs!”

He who pays the piper calls the tune!

No man is an island, complete unto himself!

SELF CARE FOR VETS!

Vet students require more training than just in diseases and animals to become successful practitioners. Vet colleges in the USA are providing counsellors. (Veterinary Surgeons Board of Western Australia – 2005)

SELF CARE FOR VETS!

• More effective learning• Development of “non-technical skills”

– Williamson (2005)– Washington State University voluntary

leadership experience (VLE)• Group based activities• Self assessment• Veterinary Practice Management

– Allan (2007)• Csikszentmihalyi (1990)• High performance athletes

PERSONAL SKILLS FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

• First year: Stress– Developing a relationship

• Second year: Personality styles– Champagne-Hogan

• Third year: Conflict &

communication– Fight-flight– Personality difference– I count and you count

PERSONAL SKILLS FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

• Fourth year: Grief & Death

– Veterinarians kill things: Sometimes on purpose!

– Professional suicide rates

• Fifth year: Career Development & Job Search

– Practical placements– Reviewing “type”

MANAGEMENT @ MASSEY

• Personal Development Plan

• Cottrell (2003)

• Dublin City University– Business school, library, career services

• Massey– Business school, library, careers, student

learning

TOPICS

• Goal setting• Personal reflection• Problem solving• Teams• Leadership• CV writing

– Integrating reflections– What do employers consider “success”– Challenge to try out roles and activities

Sport @ Massey

Outcomes & Reflections

• Silos are breaking down

• Developing political allies

• Some additional funding

• Counsellors are human

• They use our services more readily

• Students feel recognised and belong

You probably recognise me from the Vet workshop I was in.