Frequently Asked Questions
How many practicum students does the CEC select?
While the exact number is dependent upon the applicant pool and needs and resources of the CEC, we generally select one to three practicum students each semester.
How many semesters is the practicum program?
The CEC encourages students to commit two semesters to the practicum experience. The training is extensive, and it often takes a full semester to become comfortable in the role of providing career counseling. However, if after one semester it becomes apparent that the CEC is not the ideal placement for the practicum student, the practicum coordinator and student can discuss alternative options. Students seeking a one-semester practicum experience may also apply.
Why is the training so long?
Our training is extensive. The CEC believes that having knowledgeable and skilled staff is paramount to the quality of service that we offer students. Training typically takes place the week before the start of each semester. In the Fall semester, training is 35-40 hrs. In the Spring and Summer semesters, training is 15-20 hrs due to CEC resource availability. Training is designed to be both informative and enjoyable-it is a time for practicum to learn about the philosophy and services of the CEC, understand the counseling expectations and guidelines, and engage in team-building with the staff.
Who are the supervisors?
All professional counseling staff members at the CEC have a background in the mental health field and have chosen to specialize in career development. The staff is diverse in their education and experience, from Masters and Ph.D., to LPC’s and student development professionals. The CEC currently has seven full-time career counselors who supervise practicum on a rotation basis. To maximize their training experience at the CEC, each practicum student will have a different supervisor each semester.
How do supervisors evaluate practicum students’ performance?
At the middle and end of each semester, supervisors evaluate the practicum student’s performance based on the discussions from weekly supervision meetings, videotape reviews, and online client satisfaction surveys. The CEC does not employ the telephone-conference or two-way mirror method for training or observation.
When do practicum students start meeting with clients?
Practicum students generally spend two weeks observing sessions that are led by full-time or part-time career counseling staff. Next, practicum students will co-lead sessions with a career counselor, then will be observed leading sessions by a career counselor. Finally, practicum students will meet with clients on their own. In general, this training process takes approximately one month, however the practicum student and their supervisor will determine readiness for co-leading and going solo. This decision is made on a case-by-case basis.
How many sessions do students usually use?
Given the nature of career counseling in a university setting, the CEC uses a short-term model approach. Students generally meet with a counselor for one to three sessions, although there are opportunities for students to use our services more frequently.
How is career counseling different from job search assistance or academic advising?
At many universities, career centers provide both counseling and job search assistance. UT is structured so that the career services are decentralized as each college has its own career service office (CSO). The CEC services are available to students of all disciplines and for both undergraduate and graduate students. Our office often helps students with the initial phases of career development that involve self-assessment and exploration, whereas each CSO focuses on the latter phases of career development such as job search, resume reviews, and career fairs. The CEC and CSOs work collaboratively. Together they offer a full-spectrum of career services for each stage of career development.
The CEC also works closely with academic advisors, whose work complements the mission of our center. Academic advisors help students determine the courses they need for their degrees and how to plan their class schedules accordingly. A counseling session at the CEC might address choice of major, yet career counselors do not advise students on specific classes or on degree requirements. Rather, the CEC career counselors encourage students to explore and research the various major options that relate to their own values, interests, personalities, and skills.
Do practicum students always see 10 clients each week?
On average, practicum students have 10 appointment times available each week. Depending on the semester and time of year, practicum students may see more or less than 10 students in a given week. For instance, in the Summer semester, fewer students tend to use CEC services because there is a smaller number of students on campus. If a practicum student has 8 client times available, perhaps only 6 or 7 students may make an appointment that week. On the other hand, during registration period the CEC is at its busiest and our Counseling Coordinator may ask practicum to increase their availability to 12 appointments for the week and all 12 appointment times may be filled.
Do practicum students complete a project?
Practicum students are given the option to work on a project that both pertains to their area of interest and aids in the CEC’s mission to help students explore major and career options. Practicum students and their individual supervisors discuss and negotiate if the student will do a project and what the focus of the project will be.
Examples of projects from past practicum students have included:
- Researching cross-cultural and gender issues related to career development
- Writing an informative handout on graduate school interview preparation
- Becoming trained as an MBTI-SII testing workshop facilitator
- Presenting a staff development workshop on applying the Enneagram to career counseling issues
More questions? Contact Lynn Chang at L.Chang@austin.utexas.edu