College as Rite of Passage and Hero's Journey During an Age of Upheaval

by Michael Weddington

COLLEGE AS RITE OF PASSAGE and HERO’S JOURNEY DURING AN AGE OF This is the most daunting time to approach adulthood in the United States since at least World War II and the Great Depression. The worst pandemic in a century, with 400,000+ deaths by Feb. 2021. Millions of individuals out of work, with twice the number of applicants for every opening in late 2020. The most polarized American electorate since the Civil War, heightened by tensions concerning race and social justice. Rising economic inequality. Growing distrust in institutions and democracy itself, especially among young Americans. Rapidly advancing technology that is transforming what it means to be human. And looming above all, escalating climate change that threatens vital food and water resources, millions of homes and thousands of communities, national security, and the stability of the ecosystems that underpin life on earth. Michael Weddington’s COLLEGE AS RITE OF PASSAGE and HERO’S JOURNEY DURING AN AGE OF UPHEAVAL addresses the critical need to better prepare our young for adulthood using the only commonly shared Coming of Age rite of passage in our society the college experience. Drawing from a generalist’s background including two psychology degrees, doctoral research in college student development, and college and career counseling experience, Weddington integrates timeless wisdom with contemporary research and popular film to provide a timely, engaging Coming of Age resource. Filled with 996 hyperlinked, evidence-based advising, counseling, and mentoring insights, tools, and concepts, this book is designed for both those who work with young people, as well as interested students themselves who long to find energizing purpose on behalf of the common good, during an era when heroes have never been more needed.

568 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2021

About the author

Michael Weddington is a scholar and practitioner in the field of career and college counseling, with 20 years of experience researching coming-of-age topics, including ways to help young people transition into adulthood during times of turbulent change. He is owner of YourCareerStory.net and holds a B.A. in psychology from U.C. Davis and an M.A. in educational psychology from Sonoma State University. A credentialed secondary level social studies teacher in California, Michael has also conducted doctoral research in student development at the University of Northern Colorado, where he worked as assistant program coordinator for professional development.

Michael informs his writing and research with diverse work and personal history; he has served as an at-risk youth counselor; a community event organizer; a financial services manager and advisor; has taught in Japan, Hawaii, and California; has conducted a 3,000-mile charity bicycle tour on behalf of runaway and homeless youth with two friends; owned and operated a cross-cultural outdoor adventures company; and, has authored works on athletics sponsored by the Official United States Olympic Publisher and USA Track & Field. Michael was raised as a bi-cultural/bi-racial U.S. 'military brat' across the United States and Japan and currently lives in Northern California with his family.