Career Counselling

In today's world there is a difference in the aspirations of parents and the child's interests. Even though there is so much information, there is a lack of knowledge about the ability and aptitude of the child and different career options are available to confuse them. Moreover, higher education is invariably an expensive proposition and competition is ever increasing to block the career path of today's child. At this juncture it becomes very important that a right guide for taking the right career decision is available to both parents and the child.

It is important that the decision process is not delayed to avoid wrong decisions . There are various reasons for taking wrong decisions like best friends' influence, parental desires, easiest available opportunity, and lack of self knowledge. All these could create havoc in the future of a child's career and the child could feel dissatisfied or frustrated in the later stages his/her life.

When one is choosing a career, one has to consider what one expects from the job- money, status, discipline, command or challenge. Interest in the job is absolutely essential for growth in any profession. Unflagging involvement comes with interest, and reinforcements come in the form of promotions, monetary incentives, recognition and involvement.

The academic potential, aptitude, personality, interests, values, aspirations, family background and available resources are all very important in one's career planning process and all these can be determined through scientifically designed psychological tools and expert counselling services. All this would help draw a match between the requirements of a particular job or a course with the aptitude, interest and the awareness of the inner self.

The secret behind every successful career is effective and timely planning and thorough knowledge of ones ability, capability and interests. However nothing could come true in one's plan without a positive attitude and alertness for opportunities for making adaptations in such a dynamic and competitive scenario. In choosing a career it is important that you know yourself well, what you want from your profession and also what the world of occupation has to offer.

MYTHS ABOUT CAREER DECISION MAKING

MYTH: There is one right job for me.
On the contrary, you are a multi-potentialed individual. There are numerous occupations in which your talents can be equally applied and the nature of these possibilities will expand as your work experiences accumulate.

MYTH: You must have experience to find a job,
Often you are hired primarily for your aptitude or your potential to learn and advance within an organization rather than for your existing work capabilities or experiences.

MYTH: Most people start their career at 21 and proceed in a straight line toward their career goals.
Not very likely. Maybe a few people have experienced such direction, however, the career paths of most people are filled with zigs and zags and changes in direction.

MYTH: Career planning is an irreversible process.
Not so. You can change career directions whenever your talents, needs and resources dictate and/or allow.

MYTH: There is a particular set of job responsibilities for every occupation.
On the contrary, people in positions having the same title are very often performing different tasks. The varying duties are due to the individual's interests and capabilities along with varying needs from employer to employer.

FACTS ABOUT CAREER DECISION MAKING
• Career decision making is a process.
• Do not expect to make a final decision all at once.
• Career decision making is a skill that can and should be taught to students.
• The goal of career decision making is to help students organize their thinking about topics important in choosing a career.
• It is important to assess one's style of decision making to help overcome obstacles that inhibit the process.

Return to the previous page Home