-- Recent years have seen major changes in the business world and job market, and the mental health professions are no exception. The wavering economy, the shift to larger number of freelance or contract workers, the explosion of social media, and even the Affordable Care Act have all impacted the way that practices work and hire. In order to ensure that their graduates are well prepared to enter into the dynamic job market of today, Southwestern College has launched an initiative called “Conscious Entrepreneurship”, a series of training and resource offerings to help their students prepare for the changing face of business.
“At Southwestern College, we are tracking not only the trajectory of the fields of Counseling and Art Therapy, but the shifts and trends of the national economy, the implications of the Affordable Care Act, social media, and job creation,” says Dr. Jim Nolan, President of Southwestern College. “While the ACA and the new economy are in some respects creating more mental and behavioral health care jobs, there is also a trend toward using contract workers and freelancers on a part time basis. More healing arts people are becoming entrepreneurs, either by necessity, or because that path offers exciting options for freedom and professional expansion; as well as financial rewards that are available to successful risk-takers."
With many business leaders in recent years bemoaning the lack of essential skills among graduates nationwide, and students across the country indicating that they felt unprepared for the job market, the school is offering diversified training so that attendees of the classes and workshops are equipped with the skills and information that are crucial to the business of mental health today.
Some of the topics that have already been introduced include such core competencies as: The Nuts and Bolts of Private Practice, Personal and Life Coaching, Social Media Training, and The Ethics of Social Media. Other information is regularly posted to a jobs and career website started by Dr. Nolan located at http://jobsinmentalhealth.wordpress.com.
"It is our commitment to our students and community to continue offering trainings in these areas--I don't believe any other schools are doing this, but the information and skills training we offer are incredibly important in this new era of our profession and economy. And consistent with our mission, we are teaching that making a nice living while being of service can be a consciousness-based career, not just one focused on making more money,”concludes Nolan.
Now in its 34th year, Southwestern College’s motto is Transforming Consciousness through Education. It is a graduate level institution that focuses on counseling and art therapy. Offering a holistic environment for learning, students undergo rigorous academic work that follows national standards for the Counseling and Art Therapy professions while also affording opportunities for deeply meaningful interaction and sharing.
Southwestern College can be reached by phone at 877-471-5756 or online at www.swc.edu.
Contact Info:
Name: Jim Nolan
Email: Send Email
Organization: Southwestern College
Address: 3960 San Felipe Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507
Phone: 877.471.5756
Website: http://www.swc.edu
Release ID: 26798
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