After completing my family's career genogram, I realized why my parents stressed to my sisters and me the importance of working hard. From interviewing my parents and two surviving grandparents, I found out that all of my great grandfathers worked as field laborers their entire lives. All of my great grandmothers also worked as field laborers until they were married. After marrying, their jobs transitioned from working in the fields to a traditional Hispanic women's role of caring for the family which consisted of 10+ kids. Even with no education, they worked from the time they were children or teenagers until they physically could not work anymore. This strong work ethic was implanted in my grandparents as well as my parents and my sisters and I. Because of this ancestral trait, I have had a job since the age of sixteen and worked full time to pay for my college. I truly come from a family where working hard is highly valued.
While growing up, I remember my parents also stressing the importance of education. It wasn't until completing the career genogram of my family that I truly understood why. Throughout the generations, I noticed a progression in education. All of my great grandparents had no formal education. Each generation after my great grandparents received more education than the last generation. All my grandparents had either gained their GED or received some form of education. My parents both received an Associate's degree and I am the first grandchild to receive a Bachelor's degree.
As a school counselor, I want to use my family's career genogram to show students as well as parents of similar backgrounds the value of education and the benefits of establishing a strong work ethic. I want to show all my students that hard work and perseverance as well higher education will open many opportunities for them.
