TPC-Digest-Vol-3-Iss-1

TPC Digest The Professional Counselor-DIGEST Volume 3, Issue 1 http:/ /tpcjournal.nbcc.or g © 2013 NBCC &Affiliates, Inc. 9 grounded in problem- based learning (PBL), which typically involves the presentation of a set of carefully constructed problems to a small group of students consisting of observable phenomena or events that need explanation. For the Entrepreneurship in Clinical Settings course, students were charged with formulating specific aspects of a business plan, which required them to creatively align their own interests with the plan components while accounting for practical factors that would facilitate or hinder the success of their plan. To meet this goal, each student developed a series of proposals to address the assigned problem, and then worked in small groups to challenge one another through a cyclical feedback process enhanced through the progressive acquisition of relevant knowledge. Collectively, students articulated that they benefited from the conversational tone of the class, desired a more robust bridge to connect business-related information to their plans, and profited from developing a business plan in their interest area regardless of their professional development as a counselor. Students reported benefiting from their experience as the development of the business plan forced them to narrow their focus and develop a feasible strategy for implementing their small business ideas. Though some of the students were several years away from developing a private practice, at the conclusion of the course they reported clarity about their proposed business ideas and a sense of confidence in their plans that they felt would help shape a more specific identity as a professional counselor. Full Article: Reese, R. F., Young, J. S., & Hutchinson, G. A. (2013). Preparing coun- selors-in-training for private practice: A course in clinical entrepreneurship, The Professional Counselor, 3,