Credentials
- Counseling Psychology, Ed.D.
- Boston University
- Counselor Education C.A.G.S. M.Ed
- Central Michigan University
- Vocational Rehabilation Counseling M.Ed
- Michigan State University
About
Dr. Shinkel's achievements in career consulting are many and they have been recognized often, but the achievement that means the most to him is helping hundreds of people identify satisfying career paths and life directions consistent with their values and “central life theme.” He has worked with people from four continents, of all ages and at all stages in life, particularly at times of choosing -- before and after college, in mid-life when a career change is required or desired, and before or after retirement, when many people want to identify another career that will be personally rewarding and re-engaging. With more than three decades of experience, Al has streamlined the process of helping clients clarify their values and inventory their interests. Working with Al, clients learn to “speak from the heart” as to what has the most meaning for them in life. Services Provided
Career development services are offered to individuals to help them inventory their values, interests, needs, skills, and goals. Individuals become more certain about where they are going in their lives and generally feel better about themselves as a result of counseling. Career counseling and life planning minimizes the risk of their floundering needlessly and maximizes their ability to take responsibility for their lives. Life Planning:
Designed for individuals who are attempting to make significant life decisions. The client will not only make a career decision, but he/she will also clarify values and goals, setting life on a course that will provide more personal satisfaction. This service begins with an initial interview to understand the client and to determine whether the client and career consultant are suitable for each other. The outcome of this service might be a mapping out of life goals. At the conclusion of this experience, the client may expect to have:
- Defined and clarified life goals in six different areas
- Developed strategic plans to achieve these goals
- Increased sense of self-awareness
- Selected appropriate career path
- Learned to adjust life to a more personally satisfying lifestyle
Career Counseling:
Designed for individuals who are trying to make a decision about a career choice. The choice is usually about an occupation or job. The outcome of counseling is a determination not only of the appropriate choices, but also more importantly, why those choices might be best for the individual. This service begins with an initial interview in which the client's background and interests are discussed in some depth. College Counseling:
Designed for a student of any age who needs help in selecting a major, planning for a career, and/or choosing an educational program that will prepare her/him for such a career. Career planning is a personal assessment of skills, interests, values, and education in relation to opportunities and goals over a lifetime. For many students, the setting of realistic goals reduces anxiety and allows them to focus on the immediate concern of their education. Special Consulting Services:
Special medical and management consulting services offered are:
- Vocational Evaluations
- Rehabilitation Counseling
- Outplacement Counseling
- Management Consulting and Training
Individual programs will be designed at the client's request with Dr. Shinkel's input. About Dr. Shinkel:
Al Shinkel's achievements in career consulting are many and they have been recognized often, but the achievement that means most to him is helping hundreds of people identify satisfying career paths and life directions consistent with their values and central theme of their life. He has worked with people from four continents, of all ages and all stages of life. As Senior Trainer at the Center for Creative Leadership, he trained managers in leadership and management development. As a Visiting Scholar at the Graduate Theological Union, he learned to integrate contemporary spirituality into career development processes, a skill that enables his clients to identify careers in harmony with their core values. Kennedy University's Graduate School of Management, Al taught a Creative Leadership course. Over the years he has also counseled many members of the Young Presidents Organization. Consulting with the Presidential Management Intern Program in Washington DC, he advised interns to find their professional position in the federal government. He has served as a college Director of Counseling and Career Placement and was invited to be a member of the Group Study Exchange Program to Poland and Sweden for the International Rotary Foundation. With two past university presidents, he is an Honorary Alumnus at the University of New England. Clients have their choice of several career counselors for consultation. Some that chose Al include Pratt and Whitney and the Certified Public Accountants Management Society. He has also received referrals from The Center of Creative Leadership, the Presidential Management Intern Program, and David Bork, founder of the Aspen Family Business Group. With more than four decades of experience, Al has streamlined the process of helping clients clarify their values and inventory their interests. Working with Al, clients learn to, "speak from the heart," as to what has the most meaning for them in life, and to take responsibility for their actions through written goals in six major areas of life, for four different time frames. Clients consistently provide feedback that they have more clarity as to their life's purpose and communicate better with others not just intellectually but emotionally as well. They report that they are more productive, and others seek them out frequently because they obviously have firm direction in their lives. Al's doctorate is Boston University. His master's is from Michigan State, and his bachelor's is from Western Michigan.
