Choosing a Vocation

by Frank Parsons, Stephen Supple (Introduction)

Frank Parsons has been called the Father of Vocational Guidance.
As the founder of Vocational Psychology, he was interested in a lot more than helping individuals find work they will love. He also saw Vocational guidance as an instrument for positive social change.
He believed that it had the power to help the less fortunate; the poor, the young, woman or immigrants and many other groups to find meaningful, productive & profitable work. He believed that social justice wasn’t possible without giving people a clear way to access their own human potential. A just society had to take into account the aptitude, abilities & aspirations of the individual.
In fact, he believed that many of the problems that can inflict individuals & society can be avoided if people had a sense of who they are, what they want to do and know how to apply those things to a career that they will love. Frank Parsons’ vision & empathy translated into methods which are still relevant to the needs of people today. If you don’t know what your vocation is, then this book was written with you in mind.
Parsons, like myself, struggled at times to find the vocation he was best suited for. He was a Laborer & Engineer, Lecturer & Social Worker, among other things. But eventually he found that the sooner a person finds their vocation, the better life they will have. But as I have discovered; it can also be when you combine all your past work experiences and interests, you too can discover your 
true Vocation.

199 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2008

Reviews

[Mad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though this text was written a long time ago, some of its ideas remain useful today. For example, the need for society to value human resources and career development processes. Furthermore, the author highlights the need for a holistic plan for life, not solely focusing on career/income, or just health, but various elements such as a good character.

The author conveys that foundation skills and planning are essential for building a successful and enjoyable career to devote a life to, rather than just 'drifting'.

The author's statement that 'there is really no time of life when eise counsel and expert assistance are more needful than in the transition from school to the new life of labour' (p. 101) remains relevant.

[Cobertizo · Rating 4 out of 5]

"La vida puede ser moldeada bajo cualquier forma concebible. Dime los detalles que desees para un perro o para un hombre y si me cedes el control del medio en que se mueven y tiempo suficiente, vestiré tus sueños con carne y hueso. Un sistema industrial razonable tratará de situar a los hombres, a los árboles, a la piedra y al acero en el sitio más adecuado para sus naturalezas y los pulirá con el mismo cuidado que otorga a los relojes, a las dinamos eléctricas y a las locomotoras con el fin de que lleven a cabo un servicio eficiente."

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was originally published in 1909, and despite being more than one hundred years old, it offers a generous portion of insights into the process of cultivating a character. The strong part of the book is the decisive tone of its author. There is an abundance of books on self-improvement, it's easy to get disoriented in a variety of methods, visions, applications, examples, good practices, etc. The book is the example of authenticity of the self-improvement literature. It has the old school original spirit of the cult of responsibility, self-reliance, and self-education, not just suggestions, because the books like that were written by the pioneers. The book emphasizes the significance of career choice and good standards of verbal communication. It will certainly help you dig out your way from a low wage, a surviving hell job, or an unemployment gutter. If you are in the middle of developing your career and educating your own work ethic, this is a powerful book for you, just because of its spirit.

[Rimme Mendoza filosopo]

Lovely! :) got to read this for an assignment. :)