Your responses suggested a moderate automatic association for Male with Career and Female with Family.

     My results are kind of what I expected. I understand how I associate Male-Career and Female-Family. I was raised mostly by my Mom and her Mom (my Nana). My Father was a truck driver, so his schedule was hectic. When he was home, we had quality time. My parents both worked full-time, and I was fortunate to have my Grandmother help raise me. I have a nearly 13-year-old daughter. Her deceased Father was active duty military in the Navy. I was a stay-at-home, due to our decision to have me home and his schedule was consistently inconsistent. Deployments, duty days, and training exercises. All of my friends during that time were stay-at-home moms too. Currently, most of my friends work and are raising their kids. It seems once our kids got older we moms decided to achieve higher education or entered the workplace again. 

(RACE) During the Implicit Association Test (IAT) you just completed:

Your responses suggested a slight automatic preference for European Americans over African Americans.

      I am bothered by the above results. I think I need to evaluate why I feel this way and why the results are what they are. This is something that will take self-assessment and reflection. I think the way I was raised and my parent's beliefs and values affect the way I view race. They were born in 1925 and 1932. Societal views and cultural differences and expectations played a role in their thought process, values, and beliefs, unfortunately. 

     My first reaction to this assessment was feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information.  Overall, I agreed with most topics and understood the position of a school counselor.  I struggled with the mindset topic of what school counselors believe.  I wholeheartedly believe and want every student to have the opportunity to be academically successful and have a bright future.  In reality, I am aware and understand that outside factors influence students' behaviors and outcomes.  As a school counselor, I agree with all aspects that I am bound to be a competent and proactive advocate for students.  

     The area I found I will need to improve on is my mindset and how I believe, as a school counselor, regarding the treatment plans and outcomes of students.  I might improve in this specific mindset area by accepting that, as a school counselor, I cannot fix or save all students from their home environment and the path they choose after receiving services in a school setting and outside resources.  An example of how to cope and understand this about my students would be to talk with colleagues and fellow school counselors.  I have a huge heart and empathy, and this will be my biggest challenge.  However, I know I am capable and will turn this mindset around and be professional and content with knowing the staff and I are doing our best to help students be healthy and academically successful.  

     I think I did well in all other areas.  A school counselor’s position requires that you be honest, kind, respectful, compassionate, competent, and work well with others.  I have these character traits that will help me and my co-workers to do my very best.  In a school setting, school counselors and staff participate in meetings and collaborate to ensure we all do our part to reach the same goal.  That is making sure our students are academically focused and emotionally healthy.  I think the only way to improve areas and strengthen areas we are confident in is to be open-minded, work hard, ask questions, and do my due diligence as a school counselor.