Career Counselling

Importance Career Counselling 

The option of career counseling is open for everyone at every stage of life. From students to people looking for new jobs and career options and professionals who are looking at different career options in later part of their life , can take the help of career counselors to gain better clarity. 

Along with helping to chart a future career path, career counselling may also help to manage several other related issues, such as low motivation and lack of confidence. Career counsellors offer unbiased advice, and may help tackle the standstill between parents and children on which career to choose. Career counselling also helps make the transition from one chosen career field to another, easy and non-stressful manner.

Career counsellors can help you resolve the conflicts like :

• “I like a lot of different subjects, and I keep changing my major because I’m not sure which one is the best for me!”

• “I don’t like any of my classes and none of the majors seem really appealing to me.” 

• “I have a lot of work experience and I want to find a new career path that will build on the skills I already have.”

• “I really like my major, but it’s not what I want to do for my career.”

• “My parents really want me to be a  [  ] , but I’m not sure if that’s really what I want.”

• “I want to find a career that will allow me to provide significant financial support for my family.”

• “I can’t find a job, so I’m thinking about going to grad school.

Process of Career Counselling

Career counselling is a process, that mostly involves multiple steps.

Step 1 - Initiation Stage

• Here you will get to know your counsellor and the counsellor will get to know you. At this stage it is vital to start building up a rapport with your chosen mentor or coach. 

Step 2 - Gathering of Data / Awareness

• This stage will involve you and your parents / caregivers . Data gathering is vital as your counsellor needs to understand your preferences , hobbies and interests . This is done in various ways including questionnaires , discussions and form filling. 

Step 3 - Exploration

• This analytical stage will include Psychometric tests, and you will have your social behaviour assessed, as well as your personality and your career interests. 

• Aptitude – It is something that you can do well and easily. For example - Numerical ability is where you can solve mathematical problems easily.

• Intelligence - It provides a better understanding of how you learn . For example - use of visual, tactile, auditory, and other senses 

• Interest – Something that you like and enjoy doing. For example - playing sports, playing an instrument or painting/drawing

• Personality – Something that defines you, like your social traits, motivations and the kind of person you are. For example - Are you an introvert or extrovert? How sociable are you?

Step 4 - Decision Making

• By this stage, different paths will have been explored, and a decision needs to be made. You, your counsellor, and your parents will need to reach a common ground. Any barriers that are stopping you for choosing a career will be ruled out. The most appropriate options will be selected for your career, and a critical decision will be made.

•  It is at this stage where parents and children would, without counselling, come to heads. Parents often expect their children to follow in their footsteps, accepting any other choice as a failure. 

• Correct counselling will explore which path is actually the right one for you, and not just for your parents. 

Step 5 - Take Action

 After you have selected the best possible career options for yourself, you prepare a plan of action. This step-by-step career action plan serves as a guide in achieving your career goals.

What Career Counselling Is Not

There are some common misconceptions about career counselling. Let us have a look at what career counselling is not:

• It is not general advice about careers, courses and curriculum.

Career Counsellors help you pick the best career options, based on your abilities. Their suggestions and guidance are unbiased.

• It is not a short-term process that gives instant results.

Career Counselling takes time, effort and patience. It is a long-term process involving many changes on the part of the student.

• It is not a service that helps you get jobs or admissions in companies and colleges respectively.

Career Counsellors are not affiliated to any academic institution. They only help you reach your potential and aim for the best institutes and companies in your career.

• It is not a procedure that runs on trial-and-error.

Career Counselling is a scientific process and involves making calculated moves, based on hard facts and methodical research.