An Exploration of Counselors' Professional Leadership Development

Professional Leadership, Racial Microaggressions, and Career Adaptability Of Minoritized Clinicians in the United States

The impact of racial microaggressions on career adaptability and professional leadership engagement of racial/ethnic minoritized counsellors in the United States was examined. The sample included 489 counsellors and counsellors in training. Structural equation modeling pathways indicated a positive pathway from racial microaggressions to both career adaptability and professional leadership development, and a negative pathway from career adaptability to leadership engagement. Additionally, a thematic analysis of written responses from participants who shared why they did not participate in professional organization leadership positions revealed four themes including limited time, opportunity or awareness, newness to the profession, and lack of desire or interest. Study limitations and implications for counsellors, counselor education programs, and counselling/mental health professional organizations are discussed.

Volunteer Leadership in the American Physical Therapy Association: A Phenomenological Study of Early Career Physical Therapists

OBJECTIVE

Professional associations rely on the work of volunteer leaders to serve their members. Little is known about the experiences of individuals who choose to seek and participate in these volunteer roles in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the lived experience of early career professionals engaged in volunteer leadership in APTA.

METHODS

The study used a phenomenological design to explore the experience of volunteer leadership by novice physical therapists. Physical therapists holding a volunteer leadership position in APTA and in the first 7 years of clinical practice were recruited using purposeful sampling. One-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted. Following transcription, interviews were analyzed and coded using the constant comparison method.

RESULTS

Thirteen physical therapists participated. Eleven themes emerged: (1) internal factors that facilitated volunteerism-Passion, Internal drive, Always involved, Protect and advance the profession; (2) external forces that facilitated and sustained volunteer leadership-Professional role models, Meeting the leaders, Someone asked, Support of others; and (3) behaviors that sustained their involvement-Learning while doing, Future plans, and Encouraging others' involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Novice physical therapists who volunteer for leadership roles within APTA have a passion for protecting and advancing the profession that leads to their decision to volunteer. Other members including faculty and experienced leaders in the association facilitate their initial volunteerism and help to sustain their engagement. Support from employers, including time off and flexible schedules, and making plans for future involvement were crucial to their continued volunteer activity.

IMPACT STATEMENT

Changing demographics and a limited understanding of volunteer leadership could leave APTA with a limited pool of leaders into the future. Understanding the reasons early career professionals volunteer in APTA can help develop more effective strategies to recruit and retain these leaders.