Dr. Amy Milsom, professor and chair for the Department of Human Development and Psychological Counseling, along with co-author Dr. Jennifer Curry, the Shirley B. Barton Endowed Professor in the College of Human Sciences and Education at Louisiana State University, have published the third edition of their book Career and College Readiness Counseling in P-12 Schools. The book was released on November 10, 2021, by Springer Publishing.
According to Milsom the book is “a review of developmental, ecosystemic, and career theories to inform relevant P–12 career and college readiness interventions.” The book also provides applications on how to involve key stakeholders in career development and the college readiness process.
Milsom and Curry initially wrote this book “to provide school counselors with a resource that could help them easily conceptualize the career and college readiness needs of P–12 students and design relevant and meaningful interventions.”
“We wanted to develop a book that not only was practical but also pushed readers to be intentional in their work,” added Milsom.
Though the book is targeted toward school counselors, it is designed for anyone who works with school-age individuals. “Many district-level folks and teachers have purchased it, appreciating that everyone working in schools can find opportunities to integrate career- and college-related content into their work.”
“Disparities in career and college-related outcomes continue to exist in the United States, and early intervention is critical to helping close academic and educational achievement gaps,” said Milsom. “This book addresses individual and systemic factors that counselors and educators should consider as they design intentional career and college-focused interventions.”
The third edition includes the following:
- Updated workforce, educational, and demographic statistics.
- Enhanced content on culturally responsive school counseling practices.
- The impact of social media on student development.
- Coverage of the changing culture of higher education recruitment.
- Postsecondary transition planning for students with disabilities.
- Work-based learning opportunities career and technical education pathways.
- Gap year information.
- Enhanced instructor's manual including sample syllabi, PowerPoints, project-based learning activities, discussion prompts, exam questions, and related online activities, games, and apps.
Milsom joined the Reich College of Education faculty in 2019. Her research focus areas are career and college readiness and postsecondary transition planning, with an emphasis on students with disabilities. She has been published in many journals and books.
Career and College Readiness Counseling in P-12 Schools book cover
