Chapter IV Guidance Services

Objectives

•         To organize a fully functional counseling and testing center that would cater
to the students and other members of the institution.

•         To promote the services of the Guidance Center to the students, faculty
members and employees of the institution.

•         To establish a "catharsis center" where students, parents and faculty can
pour their feelings in full confidentiality.

•         To provide opportunities for the students to enrich their social lives through
the development of skills in interpersonal relationship, with the end in view
of helping facilitates the maximum utilization of their academic potentials.

a. Counseling Services

This is considered as the "heart and soul" of the guidance program. This service aims to assist students in gaining deeper self-understanding and awareness of one's problems and the effective use of the decision process by formulating alternatives and projecting consequences of each that allow students to review critically what has taken place and makes provision for future meetings if they are needed.

Different approaches, skills and theories are implemented by counselors because people and situations are different. Sometimes one or the other is best, and sometimes the combination of techniques produces the most benefit. These counseling services are the following:

·        Individual Counseling

·        Group Counseling

·        Family Counseling

·        Counseling Special Cases

b. Testing Services

In many educational institutions as well as employment offices, tests are probably the most widely used specialized techniques in guidance. Tests will be useful as a guidance tool if combined with appropriate planning for individual development. Tests provide "information in meaningful terms through quantitative description."

These services cover the administration, scoring, interpreting and evaluating results of selected tests such as:

•         Admission Tests

•         Intelligence Tests

•         Individual Intelligence Tests

•         Group Intelligence Tests

•         Aptitude Tests

•         Interest Tests

•         Personality Tests

•         Projective Tests

•         Special Tests

c.   Student Inventory Record

This is a continuous process of accumulating, recording and utilizing information on each student for guidance and counseling purposes and for obtaining a complete picture of the individual.

d.   Training/ Seminar/ Forum

These are programs designed to help students discover their innate ability and talents as well as develop their emotional intelligence. Symposium and Forum are organized as information program to tackle important life issues like Love, Dating and Marriage; Natural Family Planning; Abortion and Contraceptive Methods; Gender Issues and other relevant topics affecting the life of a person.

e.   Placement and Career Services

Graduating students are being prepared by the series of career talks by experts in the different field of occupational endeavors. They are coached on how to write an application letter, resume and the development of self-confidence in facing interview by the prospective employer. Afterwards, an annual "Jobs Fair" and In-Campus Recruitment is organized where educational and medical institutions, industrial, commercial, and technical companies are invited to screen, evaluate, and accept the graduating students as job applicants.

f. Research Services

Research capabilities of the guidance center are conducted in conjunction with relevant educational studies like students' delinquency problems, teenage pregnancy, faculty-student relationship and others. Researches help bridge the gap that currently exists between theories and practice in counseling. Result of the findings in research will serve as guideposts for guidance and educational planning.

g. Career and Life Planning

Career Development Program is a package of activities designed to develop skills in self-exploration, values clarification, career planning and decision-making, and life-goal setting.

h. Freshmen Enhancement Program

Freshmen Enhancement Program is package of activities for freshmen designed to facilitate adjustment into college life, enhance self-awareness and understanding, and develop the basic skills in coping effectively with rigors of academic life. The components of this program include psychological testing and evaluation; study-skills development; time management; stress management; and group growth sessions.

i. Orientation and Information

Orientation and Information service consists of accumulation and dissemination of information about the different guidance activities, vocational opportunities, and educational information for better adjustment and personal growth.

j. Referral

Special cases, which require service beyond the scope of guidance and counseling program, are referred to other agencies.

k Linkages

The Guidance and Counseling Program also carry out collaborative activities with school and community-based organizations.

1. Extension Services

Guidance staff functions and responsibilities go beyond the students. They extend themselves by helping others through training, seminars/workshops, or conduct research as they are often invited in occasions needing their skills and knowledge. In most instances, they render the services for free.

m. Peer Facilitation

Peer Facilitators are trained to help the staff in the delivery of the guidance services, as well as extension services. On the other hand practicum students are provided the opportunity for on-the-job experience in the guidance field.