We live in a country where free advise on what career path a child should choose is easily available. Therefore, career counselling becomes the only way in which a young student can get clarity on the professional path he/she must embark on, based on the true potential and aptitude.
Identifying one’s true calling:Often people around will give advice based on their experiences. However, their expectations from their career in terms of exposure, needs, monetary expectations etc may be different from yours. It is essential for a student to base the career choices on one’s individual aptitude, interests and life goals.
For this, scientifically developed tests that allow one to put a finger on one’s true calling are essential and give the most unbiased and fair assessment of where one’s potential lies.
Exploring anxieties:While discussing one’s future course of life with friends, family or even teachers, one may often hesitate in sharing the real anxieties or doubts about career options.
For instance, a child may be afraid to admit to a parent that he/she doesn’t want to pursue a career in the Civil Services despite the perks and power that come with it. However, when consulting with a professional counselor, such anxieties can be discussed openly without the fear of being judged as the counselor is in a position of a distant advisor and is not personally known to or connected to the student.
learning about lesser known choices:Often children don’t know of lesser-known options that they could choose from and that could be best suited to their specific talents. If such work profiles are relatively novel and are still in their evolving stages, chances are even their parents wouldn’t know much about them. This is where career counselors come in.
Since they are professionals and are always abreast of every emerging professional job profile and career path, they are the best suited to guide students through these choices. They are also equipped to offer accurate information about the kind of work-life balance and remuneration some of these professions offer and how the segments are likely to evolve over the years.
Planning and preparation:With proper counselling, both the child and parent get an appropriate idea of the steps that need to be taken in the direction of the overall goal. A professional counselor is in the position to provide correct timelines regarding the preparation that needs to be put in for a particular career choice and what kind of courses or coaching will stand the student in best stead.
Overseas education consultancy:A parent’s greatest anxieties begin to surface when it is decided to send the child abroad for future education. A majority of the apprehension stems from the fact that much of the process involves unknown elements. From the basics like how to apply to where the student will stay in the foreign country, a career counselor is able to offer a lucid picture to parents about every nitty-gritty making them and the student a lot more confident.
(The writer is Natasha Chopra,MD, The Chopras)