Know What is career Counselling?

29 January,2024  |  By Brainwonders

Choosing a career is a critical decision in our lives, carrying significant consequences. Students sometimes make this choice with limited knowledge and under societal pressure. Such decisions often steer them towards ill-suited careers, causing stress and dissatisfaction. Hence, it is crucial to make informed career decisions. Seeking guidance from qualified career counsellors can assist in establishing long-term career objectives and discovering the path to attain them. This article extensively explores career counselling, emphasizing its significance, various types, and additional relevant information. Continue reading to delve deeper into this topic.

What Is Career Counselling- Understanding The Definition

At various stages of life, everyone can benefit from career guidance, whether they are students grappling with the decision of selecting the right academic stream in 11th grade, individuals in 12th grade seeking college admissions, or professionals contemplating a career transition. Career counselling equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to plan future career choices.

What Is Career Counselling- Importance Of Career Counselling

Now that we have gained a basic understanding of career counselling, let's explore its significance. The importance of career counselling has undeniably risen due to the plethora of career options available to students today. When students find themselves at a pivotal crossroads, such as selecting a stream in 11th grade or choosing the right course after 12th grade, a professional career counsellor can greatly simplify decision-making.

The significance of career counselling spans all age groups. In addition to assisting individuals in mapping out their future career paths, career counselling can address various related issues, including low motivation and lack of confidence. Career counsellors provide impartial advice and can help resolve conflicts between parents and children regarding career choices. Furthermore, career counselling facilitates a smooth and stress-free transition from one chosen career field to another.

What Is Career Counselling- Who Are Career Counsellors?

Career counsellors are skilled experts who offer guidance and counselling services. They possess comprehensive knowledge about various career paths and occupations. Typically, career counsellors hold a master's degree in counselling psychology or applied psychology. They are well-versed in applying career development theories, counselling techniques, and the administration and interpretation of psychometric tests.

An effective career counsellor demonstrates keen observation skills, excels at problem-solving, and possesses extensive knowledge across multiple fields. They continually stay updated with the latest trends and career-related information resources.

What Is Career Counselling- The Process

Step 1

Building Self-Awareness: The initial stage involves gathering information about oneself and introspecting on abilities, interests, personality traits, and skills.

Abilities: These are tasks that can be easily and proficiently performed. For instance, numerical ability refers to solving mathematical problems effortlessly.

Interests: These are activities that one finds enjoyable and engaging. Examples include playing sports or musical instruments or engaging in painting/drawing.

Personality: This encompasses characteristics that define an individual, such as social traits, motivations, and personal disposition. For instance, it is determining whether one is an introvert or extrovert and assessing sociability.

To develop self-awareness, one can contemplate questions like:

• What are my areas of proficiency?
• Which subjects do I excel in?
• What are my strengths?

Step 2

Gathering Information About Different Career Options: The subsequent step entails researching various career possibilities. Relevant information can be obtained from newspapers, books, magazines, the internet, career counsellors, and professionals working in the respective industries. This research aids in understanding job roles, required personal attributes, eligibility criteria, and the selection process, allowing for the elimination of career options that do not align with personal interests.

Step 3

Establishing Connections Between Self-Awareness and Career Options: This phase involves connecting the self-understanding gained in the previous steps with the knowledge of potential career options. Analogously, envision this as fitting a key into a lock; your potential serves as the key, while the career requirements represent the lock. Each career has distinct prerequisites, and every individual possesses unique potential. Finding the right match between the two opens up the path to success.

Step 4

Taking Action: Once the most suitable career options have been identified, it is essential to create an action plan. This step-by-step career action plan is a roadmap to guide individuals towards achieving their ultimate career goals.

Career Counselling Techniques (Psychometric tests)

After understanding career counselling, we must familiarize ourselves with the various techniques employed in this field. One such technique is the utilization of career assessments, which are scientific instruments designed to aid students in making realistic career decisions. These assessments employ validated and standardized tools to assist individuals in identifying their interests, personality traits, and aptitudes, enabling them to discover suitable career paths.

Several widely used assessment tools include:

1. MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)
2. 16PF (Cattell's 16 Personality Factors)
3. DBDA (David Battery of Differential Aptitudes)
4. DAT (Differential Aptitude Tests)

Following career assessments, personalized one-on-one counselling sessions are typically conducted. Career counsellors thoroughly analyze the generated career profile or report and utilize their expertise and experience to guide and support students. Combining various counselling techniques with the counsellor's wisdom empowers students to explore and determine their career pathways.

It is important to note that to obtain accurate results from aptitude tests, they should be administered under controlled conditions and always followed by personalized one-on-one counselling sessions. This approach ensures that individuals make informed career choices, minimizing the risk of making misguided decisions.

What Is Career Counselling- Types Of Career Counselling

Various types of career counselling cater to individuals' different stages and needs. Let's explore some of them:

1. School Counselor/Counseling: Many schools nowadays have dedicated counsellors who guide students in their social and academic pursuits. They conduct workshops on career planning, organize career fairs, and possess comprehensive knowledge of different educational board systems such as CBSE, IGCSE, ICSE, and IB.
2. College Counselors/Vocational Guidance Counselors: This type of career counselling specifically assists graduate and postgraduate students in selecting the appropriate career path after completing their courses. These counsellors facilitate connections between students and the job industry, offering valuable insights and guidance.
3. Study Abroad Counselors: Trained and experienced study abroad counsellors specialize in guiding and connecting students with universities across the globe. They possess in-depth knowledge about admission processes at various foreign universities, providing valuable assistance to students who aspire to study abroad.

These different types of career counselling services cater to individuals' diverse needs and aspirations at different stages of their educational and professional journeys.

This article provides a comprehensive understanding of career counselling, highlighting its definition, significance, and techniques. Considering that an individual is estimated to spend around 90,000 hours in the workplace throughout their lifetime, making informed decisions about career choices that align with their skills and career aspirations becomes crucial.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Why do you need Career Counselling?

Ans: In a rapidly evolving technological and social landscape, it can be challenging to determine the most suitable career path to pursue. Considering that a significant amount of time will be spent in the workplace, seeking effective career guidance and professional counselling becomes essential.

Career counsellors possess expertise in assessing your personality, evaluating your interests, and identifying your aptitudes. They play a crucial role in assisting you in making the right career choice.

Q2: What is the best time for Career Counselling?

Ans: The ideal period to pursue career counselling is typically between the ages of 13 and 17, encompassing the transition from Class 8 to Class 12. This phase is characterized by significant changes and pivotal decision-making moments, such as selecting the appropriate academic stream in Class 11 or transitioning from school to college. During this time, individuals often encounter the challenge of finding their place in the professional world.

However, it is important to note that career counselling can benefit anyone seeking guidance in determining the right career direction, regardless of age or stage in life. Career counselling can provide valuable assistance, whether contemplating educational choices, career shifts, or seeking clarity in the intended course of action.

Q3: Career Counsellor vs Career Coach?

Ans: Career counsellors utilize psychometric assessments to assess clients' skills, personality traits, and strengths concerning career options and pathways. On the other hand, career coaches primarily focus on their client's current and future career development, including advancements within their chosen field or transitioning to a different career path.

Q4: How does career counselling happen?

Ans: Career counselling is a structured process that guides individuals through several steps to enhance their self-awareness and determine the appropriate career path. During a career counselling session, psychometric tests are administered, which are then followed by a one-on-one counselling session with a career counsellor. The test results are carefully interpreted, and based on this information, a personalized career action plan is developed to facilitate informed career decision-making.

Q5: What is the role of a career counsellor?

Ans: Career counsellors are skilled professionals with extensive knowledge about various career options. They assist individuals in selecting the most suitable career path based on their interests, aptitudes, and personality traits. Their expertise allows them to guide individuals towards making informed career decisions.