Career Counselling: Discover your career path

CAREER WISE

In today's advanced world of science and technology, the most challenging task for youngsters is choosing an appropriate career path. Without proper education and training, individuals have a higher chance of unemployment, low job satisfaction and an overall low sense of achievement and fulfillment. Therefore career and education are the most pressing concerns in today's world.

Schools and colleges are the places where students gain knowledge about various aspects of life. They get to meet different kinds of people with whom they learn to explore various facets of life. This in turn helps them develop their maturity and gain confidence in dealing with different aspects of life. Indeed each person is unique. However there are certain things (pertaining to self-developmental) that every person experiences/goes through during adolescence.

These include:

• Independence from parents and other adults

• Development of a realistic, stable and positive self-identity and body image

• Formation of a sexual identity

• Negotiation of peer and intimate relationships

• Formulation of a fairly personalised moral/value system

Earlier, there were limited career options. Today there are various career options. In a way this has made doubly difficult for students and their caregivers to choose appropriate careers. If a person understands his/her career pathway he/she can plan life better. This clarity also helps in shaping his/her personality.

There are different types of students who come in for career counselling. Among them, there are some who either do not have any interest in taking any guidance from others or hesitate to gather knowledge about different aspects of life. The commonest thing you get to hear from them is - "I have no idea about my career". Some who have already chosen their career often say "I am not satisfied with my life" or "There is no job satisfaction". Yet there are some others who have a fair amount of idea (career wise) but are not able to decide which stream to select after their boards. Again, there are some students who know where their aptitude and interest lie but unfortunately their decisions are not accepted by their families. People also come for career assessment for shifting their job or work environment too. Hence one programme may not fit all.

Thus, while conducting career counselling, some aspects need to be kept in mind. These include:

• Self-awareness

• Understanding abilities and interest

• Enhancing life skills

• Enhancing employability skills

• Awareness on career options

• Time management

• Goal setting

Career and personality often go hand in hand because a person with a healthy personality is basically quite balanced. He/she strives to balance family and work and always accepts things in a positive manner. A person with an unhealthy personality may be prone to maladjustment. He/she many have disturbed relationships and often make wrong decisions.

Therefore it is very important to choose a career assessment which has a combination of Personality Test, Aptitude/ Ability Test and Interest Test that in turn can guide the person to choose the most appropriate career.

Let's take the example of Asha (name changed), who visited MIND India a few years back for career counselling when she was in Class XI. She was a bright student in school but was a little confused about her career. She was good in her studies and scored well in science and mathematics in her matriculation. Taking advice from her parents and teachers' she took science but in class XII she was not able to cope. Eventually she lost her confidence and stopped attending classes.

Choosing a career based on the school performances may not always be accurate. In school, children study with the same group of peers/students for many years but in colleges they have to compete with a totally unknown group. This exposes them to fresh dynamics of competition and finally in this scenario their aptitude counts.

Asha did her Career Assessment Test and it was found that her aptitude lies more in the Humanities sector and her career pathway was more inclined towards the political and administrative services. Both her parents and she were counseled on the results of the tests and based on this counselling she shifted to Humanities and later got admission in Delhi School of Economics for graduation. She is currently pursuing her Masters in International Political Affairs in Paris.

Though we know the benefits of career counselling, most people still do not feel the need of a career assessment test. They fear that visiting a psychologist might throw a negative impression on them and their families. As a result, they ruin their lives (due to poor career selection) which in turn can lead to a disturbed family life. Finally, many people who are trapped in wrong careers contend with anxiety, depression, OCD or some other mental health issue. Unhealthy habits like excessive intake of junk food, cigarettes, tobacco, alcohol and drugs also manifest in such people. Given this context, we all need to change our mindsets and actively play a part in preparing our youth to face the ever-evolving challenges of the modern world.

By: Ms. Ankita Kakati

Counselling Psychologist

Faculty, MIND India

Ask Dr Sangeeta Goswami

My son is studying in Class X and he is interested in both Humanities and Science. Please suggest a field which has subjects from both science and humanities.

Many a times, students may have the abilities and interest in multiple areas or subjects. There are a number of choices (in terms of courses) now like liberal arts, vocational skills course etc where subjects from both the streams are required.

In general, some factors to keep in mind while helping a student to decide on a stream or career option are interest and passion. Choose a stream or career option which deals with base subjects that are genuinely liked by the student. When students study a subject which they find exciting, they will give their best because their interests remain high.Being academically stable in them is an added bonus.

Consult a career counsellor: Career development requires the skill to assess opportunities and match them with one's interests and aptitude.The counsellor may administer tests that determine the aptitude, personality traits and subjects of interest.

Involvement of parents or care givers: Parents have a vital role in building a bright career for their children. However, parents can often be the greatest obstacle to a student's future prospects because of outdated thinking and the authoritarian view of the elders of the family. This has great bearing on the psyche of an adolescent.

Keeping these aspects in mind will help the student to choose well.

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