Career and Life Coaching for Mariska Seereeram

Click on the following link for your: Vocational Style and Career Assessment - Revised (VoSCA-R) Click on the following link for your: Multidimensional Emotional Intelligence Quotient - Revised (MEIQ-R9) Click on the following link for the: O*Net Online Career Research Tool

Career and Life Coaching Session #1: Wednesday 15 August 2018

- Mariska's E-mail address is mseereeram@gmail.com - Mariska is currently 35 years old and has two kids. - She went to Holy Name Convent. For CXC, she took: Biology (2), Chemistry (3), French (1), Spanish (1), IT (2), Maths (2), English Language (1). - She then A levels: French (D), Spanish (D), IT (D) - She did her ABA in Business Information Systems. - She then did her Masters from 2007-2009 at Heriot-Watt (SBCS) in Business Admin and took two courses in HR. - She started working in 2001 at Chieftan and spent at 4 years there in various roles such as Data Entry Clerk, IT Assistant, etc. - She then worked for 10 months at Maritime Careers - Mariska is head of HR and Talent Strategy at Aegis. She has been there at 13 years. - She has one person reporting to her. She is responsible for HR and HSC. - Mariska always wanted to be an IT programmer and she currently feels "stuck" in HR. She doesn't mind the people aspect of HR but she does not like the IR side. - She rates her career in HR as 6/10. - She is currently pursuing a "Certified Manager in Organizational Effectiveness and Quality" by the American Society for Quality. - I discussed the results of the VoSCA-R assessment with Mariska, specifically her scores in the various categories of Interests, Intelligence Types, Values, and Work Styles. Her scores can be reviewed in the report itself. - Here are the careers that the VoSCA-R assessment recommended for Mariska and how she rated them in terms of her passion level (1 is no passion and 10 is the highest passion): #1 Industrial-Organizational Psychologists (6/10) #2 Clinical Psychologists (6/10) #3 Marriage and Family Therapists (2/10) #4 Clergy (4/10) #5 Social and Human Service Assistants (4/10) #6 Management Analysts (7/10) #7 Rehabilitation Counselors (6/10) #8 Instructional Coordinators (6/10) #9 Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (2/10) #10 Health Educators (1/10) #11 Graduate Teaching Assistants (5/10) #12 Computer and Information Research Scientists (4/10) #13 Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (1/10) #14 Special Education Teachers, Middle School (1/10) #15 Epidemiologists (1/10) #16 Psychiatric Technicians (1/10) #18 Social Science Research Assistants (3/10) #19 Audio-Visual and Multimedia Collections Specialists (1/10) #20 Biochemists and Biophysicists (1/10) #21 Agricultural Technicians (4/10) #22 Microbiologists (1/10) #23 Archivists #24 Library Technicians (1/10) #25 Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School (5/10) #26 Cytotechnologists (1/10) #27 Human Resources Managers (6/10) #28 Training and Development Managers (7/10) #29 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists (7/10) #30 Survey Researchers (6/10) #31 Marketing Managers (6/10) Acknowledgements from Session #1: - I acknowledge you for completing the VoSCA-R assessment. - I also acknowledge you for coming to these Career Coaching sessions to get a better understanding of what career path you would like to pursue from this point forward in your life. Takeaways from Session #1: - You mentioned that you liked the process of doing the assessment, and that you feel clearer about the process of career discovery. Action Plan from Session #1: - You agreed to review the VoSCA-R report in more detail. - You also agreed to do the Multidimensional Emotional Intelligence Quotient assessment. - You agreed to research on the Internet using the O*Net Online Career Research Tool (www.onetonline.org) the recommended careers which you scored 6 or more out of 10, and to document your research in this password-protected blog under the section at the end called "Leave a Reply". The careers on your shortlist are: #1 Management Analysts (7/10) #2 Training and Development Managers (7/10) #3 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists (7/10) #4 Industrial-Organizational Psychologists (6/10) #5 Clinical Psychologists (6/10) #6 Rehabilitation Counselors (6/10) #7 Instructional Coordinators (6/10) #8 Human Resources Managers (6/10) #9 Survey Researchers (6/10) #10 Marketing Managers (6/10) - You also agreed to see if any of the careers in the Related section under each of your recommended careers in the report catch your interest, and to put those in the blog as well. In particular, you should at least copy and paste the following sections from the O*Net site into the blog: Tasks, Knowledge, Related Careers, and Wages & Employment Trends. - The next session is scheduled for Wednesday 22 August 2018 at 8:30 AM.

Career and Life Coaching Session #2: Wednesday 22 August 2018

- Mariska shared that she really cannot stay at Aegis for much longer, and would really like a change of company and career. - After looking over the careers on her shortlist, she felt the Industrial Organisational Psychologist was most suitable. However, looking at the details she realised that she does not want to do some of the tasks associated with this career such as: mediate disputes and provide expert testimony in employment lawsuits. - Her next interest is the Management Analyst. What attracts her the most about this job is: Interview personnel and conduct on-site observation to ascertain unit functions, work performed, and methods, equipment, and personnel used. - Looking over all the career matches, she feels most safe as a Management Analyst. - She realises that she doesn't want to be responsible for decision making in an organisation. While it seems her strengths are aligned with people-related activities, she feels more comfortable in a position which allows her to advise and counsel indirectly. She needs tasks which allow her to produce an output and move on to the next task. - Her career choice is therefore Management Analyst. - Next, we discussed Mariska's Emotional IQ assessment. Mariska's score on this assessment (103/155, 58th percentile) is reasonably good, but there is some room for improvement. Overall, she is reasonably skilled at understanding and dealing with emotions. Emotional intelligence is not only essential to healthy relationships with others, research has also shown that a healthy EQ contributes to problem-solving ability, leadership ability, goal achievement, and professional success in general. Review the rest of Mariska's results to know which areas she needs to work on developing the most - awareness is key to helping her find the motivation to improve. - The following is a summarized version of Mariska's emotional intelligence results, categorized according to areas where she excels, areas where there is room to grow even more, and areas that she will need work on improving. EIQ competencies that Mariska has mastered Her strong social insight helps her understand human behavior She is a very capable and smart goal-setter She is open to learning and self-improvement She has a thick skin and is able to bounce back from hardship She lives her life according to her values She regularly reflects on her emotions and the information that they can offer She has a good understanding of the complexity and depth of her emotions She doesn't sweat the small stuff, preferring to let minor annoyances go She picks her battles wisely, and will not engage in conflict over trivial issues She does not ruminate excessively She does not require or seek out other people's approval EIQ competencies that Mariska can cultivate further She can handle some emotionally intense situations or people, but is not entirely at ease She can adapt her social skills to different situations and people, but it isn't always easy for her She is able to resolve most conflicts reasonably well She has shown the capacity to be fairly empathetic She is reasonably skilled at reading body language She is reasonably flexible She is fairly self-motivated She generally copes with stress reasonably well She can generally adapt to most situations with little difficulty She has a reasonably optimistic outlook but prefers to prepare herself for every eventuality She has reasonably healthy self-esteem She is willing to assert herself on some occasions She generally believes that she has what it takes to succeed She is reasonably self-aware, but could go deeper and develop a more profound understanding of who she is EIQ competencies that require development & improvement She often struggles to accurately identify the emotions she is feeling She is rather uncomfortable expressing her emotions She tends to have difficulty regulating her emotions She tends to doubt herself quite often, and is not very self-confident Acknowledgements from Session #2: - I acknowledge you for completing the MEIQ assessment, and for being willing to explore your EIQ strengths and limitations. Takeaways from Session #2: - You felt that you now have better self-awareness of your EIQ strengths and limitations. Action Plan from Session #2: - You agreed to review the MEIQ-R9 report in more detail. - You also agreed to work on your four EIQ limitations using the tips under each limitation below: #1 You often struggle to accurately identify the emotions you are feeling

Recognize emotions for what they are. We have been taught that emotions are reactions, often uncontrolled, to situations or people around us. This isn't the case. Your emotions are a signal; they are messages that have the potential to offer you important information if you're willing to take the time to reflect on what you're feeling. So when you get upset with your colleagues when the printer is always missing paper when you're using it, stop and ask yourself: Is my anger really related to the paper, or something more? Maybe you're upset because deep down you feel disrespected, or feel that people take advantage of you. Maybe you're using the paper situation to vent your anger about a more serious, unresolved issue. The point is, don't let negative emotions simmer (or boil over) unchallenged. Milk them for information.
Emotions and logic are not enemies. Many people believe that emotions have no place in the decision-making process, but the truth is, your emotions (or intuition, gut instinct, etc.) and your logic can provide useful information when making a decision. The bottom line is that emotions and logic are two sides of the same coin: Emotions are a message, while logic is the means in which we interpret that message.
Don't brush aside your gut instinct or intuition. Gut instinct is that voice in your head, that warning bell, that's trying to tell you that something isn't right. Some refer to it as a sixth sense. Whatever the label, it can offer us valuable information if we take a moment to listen. Those who ignore this inner voice can often end up regretting it. This doesn't mean that logic has no benefits. The perfect balance, in fact, would be to think a situation through, and then going with what feels right.
The good and the bad. Both good and bad feelings facilitate the thinking process by allowing us to view things from different perspectives. Did you ever notice how, when thinking pessimistically about a problem, you come up with solutions that are in line with that thinking, and when you think positively, the perspective and solutions change? Our feelings, good and bad, offer us different perspectives on the world. While one perspective may be more beneficial than the other, both angles offer us valuable information about the world around us, and about ourselves.

#2 You are rather uncomfortable expressing your emotions

Take small steps if you're not used to expressing emotions. Start with those that are the least intimidating, like gratitude, awe, or boredom. For example, try offering someone you are comfortable with a genuine compliment, and then take it one step further to an expression of appreciation. When you need to communicate a negative feeling, start by writing down how you feel before saying it. Like learning any new skill, emotional expression will get easier with time and practice.
Know the consequences of suppression. Like a soda can that has been shaken one too many times, a build-up of negative emotions can either result in one messy explosion or a whole lot of fussing and fuming on the inside. This isn't a matter of choosing the lesser of two evils - both are unhealthy for you. Bottled-up emotions can result in physical ailments, not to mention the damage it causes to your peace of mind and your relationships. A build-up of frustration will seep out whether you like it or not, often through passive aggression, snappiness, lack of tolerance or bitter remarks. Find a healthy emotional outlet that works for you - writing your feelings out, talking to someone, etc.
Work on developing healthy self-control. When you act on impulse, it is the lower part of your brain - your so-called "reptilian brain" - that is taking charge. Thankfully, we all have a cerebral cortex, which means we have the capacity to reason. Before acting impulsively, command your cerebral cortex to evaluate the situation you find yourself in. Then you can determine if you should modify your reaction to the situation, or for that matter, take any action at all.
Let your emotions out. A study on life satisfaction and negative life events revealed that people who wrote out what was bothering them or who talked things out with someone showed an improvement in mental health and life satisfaction. So when something is bothering you, don't keep it locked up inside. A problem can often feel less intense when we can share that burden, so to speak. Release all your negative feelings and thoughts in a journal. Talk to a trusted friend, a spiritual leader, a therapist, or join an online community that focuses on helping others get through personal and emotional difficulties. There is always help out there.

#3 You tend to have difficulty regulating your emotions

Work on developing healthy self-control. When you act on impulse, it is the lower part of your brain - your so-called "reptilian brain" - that is taking charge. Thankfully, we all have a cerebral cortex, which means we have the capacity to reason. Before acting impulsively, command your cerebral cortex to evaluate the situation you find yourself in. Then you can determine if you should modify your reaction to the situation, or for that matter, take any action at all.
Learn to relax. Relaxation is physiologically incompatible with anger, anxiety, and other negative emotions. When you relax, there's a good chance the emotion will subside. Here are some ways you can calm yourself down when you're feeling upset: - Take deep breaths. - Repeat calming words to yourself. Have certain comforting phrases ready when negative emotions strike. Instead of thinking, for example, "I hate this person", focus on positive things like, "I am very angry with him/her, but I can deal with this". Or use the word "tranquility". It's not only beautiful to hear as it rolls off your tongue, it's also a very calming word. - Use imagery. Visualize something that is calming to you. A warm beach, a sunset, your pet, a baby, etc. - Do a task that you find soothing. Mow the lawn, read a book, do a crossword puzzle, work out at the gym, etc. - Practice stretching and any other physical activity you find calming. Doing it on a regular basis may help you get more "in tune" with yourself and help calm both your mind and body. - Go outside and get some fresh air. Nature has amazing healing abilities that you should take advantage of.
Let your emotions out. A study on life satisfaction and negative life events revealed that people who wrote out what was bothering them or who talked things out with someone showed an improvement in mental health and life satisfaction. So when something is bothering you, don't keep it locked up inside. A problem can often feel less intense when we can share that burden, so to speak. Release all your negative feelings and thoughts in a journal. Talk to a trusted friend, a spiritual leader, a therapist, or join an online community that focuses on helping others get through personal and emotional difficulties. There is always help out there.

#4 You tend to doubt yourself quite often, and are not very self-confident

Be cautious about the language you use to describe yourself. Don't exaggerate. If you made a mistake for example, you are not stupid or dumb, even if you regard the mistake as a dumb one. Instead, acknowledge that you are sometimes careless and need to work on that. When you regularly use self-deprecating language, you reinforce the belief that you are incompetent or inferior...and may influence other people's views of you as well.
Don't compare yourself to others. You may look at someone and think they possess some quality or advantage that you don't, but the fact is they may be looking at you and thinking the very same thing. Besides, someone who is seemingly happy or successful may be going through difficulties that you don't know about. Judge yourself by your own standards, because every person is unique.
Practice positive and empowering affirmations. This isn't just a philosophy - it has a scientific basis. The success of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, for example, lies in the reprogramming of the brain. Write 5 or 10 self-affirming statements ("I am healthy, wealthy, and wise") and repeat them to yourself every day for several times a day. Don't just say them 3 times and then spend the rest of the day criticizing yourself or complaining. Say your affirmations as often as you can, whether you're on the way to work, cleaning the house, or shopping. When a negative thought pops into your mind, replace it with something positive - and say that positive statement three times. Continue to practice your affirmations for as long as it takes for them to sink in. It will feel silly at first, even fake and untrue, but that's from years of brain programming in the opposite, negative direction. It can be done, if you make it a habit.
Boosting your confidence is a proactive process. If you're lacking a little faith in yourself and in your abilities, try doing things that build your confidence and nerve. If you'd like to teach a class for example, take some courses yourself to brush up. Offer to teach a few of your friends at home to start out. With experience, you will become more comfortable and assured of your abilities. Remember that each small success we have helps build confidence en route to our ultimate goal.
Shun perfectionism. There is a high correlation between perfectionism and low self-esteem. The more you strive to be perfect, the more frustrated you become when you realize it's impossible. Be aware of any perfectionistic tendencies you have and keep them in check. Remember, mistakes and failures are stepping stones, not stop signs. They offer experience and learning opportunities.
Make a list of your accomplishments. Include anything that made you feel good about yourself, without thinking about whether it is technically an accomplishment or not. This list is solid proof that you have the ability to make things happen and to achieve something. Refer to it whenever you doubt yourself.

- The next session will be scheduled when you are ready.

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