Career Counselling - All You Must Know!

One’s career is perhaps the most important aspect of adulthood. Embarking on this path – whether for the first time, the second time, or any time thereafter – can be stressful. This holds true when economic factors like recession hit you down the path. Career counselling is designed to help you with changing, leaving, or choosing a career. A career counsellor, at any stage in life, can help you outline your potential career options.
Most Indians spend one-third of their lives at work. However, according to recent studies, only a small percentage of working Indians claim to be satisfied with their job role/profile. The rest are only struggling to fit in.
Job stress can lead to depression or anxiety over time. Therefore, finding a fulfilling career is important for one’s mental well-being.

Choosing a Career

Choosing the right career can be quite an intimidating task. You may not be able to decide what type of job will be your best fit. Career counselling aims to make the choice easier for you. It helps people assess their needs, desires, and skills in order to find a career that works for them. Thus, this type of counselling is often considered a crucial step to take before deciding on a permanent career.
Looking up a wide range of potential careers may seem overwhelming. However, the type of education or degree needed for a particular designation and information on the skill set may be difficult to find. In such a scenario, a career counsellor may be able to provide to be integral.

During a session with your counsellor, the following questions may help narrow one’s focus when considering a career shift –

• What qualification – experience or degree – do I have?
• What is my skill set?
• What are my strengths and weaknesses?
• Do I want to be of service to others?
• Am I willing to take up challenges at the workplace, or should am I more comfortable working in a relatively easy environment?
• Am I open to criticism without questioning others, or would I rather make my own decisions?
• How much security and stability am I looking for?
• What are my values?
• How much money do I need to make to be satisfied?
• What types of activities are fulfilling and fun for me?
• What do I enjoy doing?
• Am I willing to relocate?
• What jobs are available in/around the place I would like to live?

How Career Counselling Can Help

During a counselling session, the counsellor will work to explore your strengths and skills. He/she will take into account your educational qualification, and determine your personality type and interests. The counsellor may also administer an aptitude test or an IQ test.

Some common topics of discussion in career counselling are –

• Specific talent or skills
• The necessary education/skill for a desired career
• The educational commitment necessary for a particular career
• Potential earnings in different fields
• Working environment – some people are comfortable working in a closed-door office environment while others may enjoy working in an outdoor, fast-paced environment
• The opportunity for growth or change in a particular career

Some counsellors may also be able to advise you on how to improve one’s position at work. For instance – he/she might discuss with you the possible ways to get a promotion.
Career counselling is not meant only for people with a confused mind. Anyone can choose to go for it. A counselling session with a professional can help clear your doubts and help you make an informed decision.