Career counseling is a generic term that encompasses the work that professionals do with individuals who are just starting out on a career path to those who are interested in increasing their activity through their retirement years. Most commonly we think of career counseling for students who are choosing a college major or are graduating from college without a clear direction. However, career counseling is also available to individuals who are midway through their professional life and either feel stuck in the work that they’re doing now or feel burned out and want to change their career path.
Career counseling entails a number of different paths, assessment tools and career exploration. It is important for individuals to receive their career counseling from a professional agency, or identified online career counseling organization. In these cases, the individual will have an opportunity to undergo self-assessment tools, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Campbell Interest and Skills Survey or the Strong Interest Inventory.
Following assessment and testing, most career counseling organizations will offer coaching, interview skill development and career or professional evaluation. This is often the strongest piece of career counseling that gives an individual a jumpstart on their new job change or career choice. It is also a way for individuals to move forward faster in their career plan that if they were attempting it all on their own.
Career counselors, or career coaches, help to produce a personalized career road map that changes the future of those who take action and use it. The definition of success and satisfaction comes only from an individual’s own personal choice. Career counselors will work with people from all walks of life and typically have a background in psychology or vocational psychology. Career counselors are also important in the rehabilitation of individuals who have withstood a significant physical or mental disability but are now interested in reentering the workforce.
Many times career counselors will not only give personality testing, or interest inventories, but will also do cognitive ability testing in order to determine the best fit for the individual. Anytime anyone undergoes career counseling it should be as a highly individualized and supportive process and not one that is performed in a group setting. Some clients require four to six 1-hour sessions while others may require a longer period of time in order to develop their individual plan for their future.
Once testing is completed the counselor will work with the individual through a variety of worksheets and assessment inventories to identify career options that may be considered. It is then the responsibility of the individual to learn more about those specific career choices in order to make an informed decision. At this point the work with the career counselor will help you to set goals and then to outline action plans to pursue those goals. An individual may require further education, make a job change or even move to another area of the country in order to pursue their career goal. Career counselors are also able to help individuals develop effective résumés, prepare for job interviews and network through the immediate community.
Career counseling is often free of charge to students who are attending a four year college or university. Those who are interested in a career change will be able to find career counselors in a price range between $350-$650 which will include some assessment testing as well as resume writing, personal counseling or evaluation.
The goal of career counseling is to enable the individual to work in a position or career which makes them the happiest. This move benefits not only the individual but also the community because it reduces stress related illnesses in the workplace, improves productivity and increases the likelihood that an individual will be promoted through a career that they enjoy. Career counseling benefits the economy as well since those who enjoy the jobs they are doing are less likely to become unemployed. There is a lower turnover rate among businesses which decreases the overhead cost for the employer.
All in all career counseling is a win-win situation for businesses and employees. However, it takes the initial action of the potential employee, or student, to engage in a process where they are able to develop a career choice or career plan.
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