You might be surprised by how many smart people, even geniuses, work for minimum wage. Or maybe mid-level management in a sophisticated environment like a bookstore or coffee shop.
But succeeding in a career field is not about intelligence. It’s all about planning and staying on a clear path to success.
In the article, we’re going to talk about why career counseling is so important, and how it gets a person started in organizing and planning their career.
Career Counseling Helps Students Achieve Their Dreams
One might assume that career guidance is all about squashing dreams and pushing an “acceptable profession” – one that the student dreads.
But the truth is that career counseling is about helping students realize their potential and then finding a career path that complements their own instincts. In fact, many career counselors are psychologists, and part of the job is learning who the student is and what they want most out of life.
The focus is on mentoring students to choose a career they will be excited to excel in. Even if a student wants to travel the world, that doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice a career. Consider some interesting careers for people who don’t want to stay in one place.
Career Counseling Should Be About Avoiding Debt
Career counseling isn’t just a glorified psych evaluation. Guidance counselors know that student debt is an issue that worries students now, and is going to become an even bigger problem in the future.
That’s why part of the job of the career guidance counselor is to recommend a career field and a higher-paying job that can get rid of student debt, as well as an educational degree that won’t sink their career in expenses before it even starts.
Career guidance counselors are there to help students make logical and conservative decisions when it comes to money. A counselor might even be able to guide a student towards a reasonable student loan program that’s worked for other students in similar positions.
You can also check your rate for a private student loan online and get some early estimates before talking to a counselor.
Career Counseling Prevents a Rash Decision
Did you know that approximately one in three university students claim that they regret their college courses after the fact?
This indicates either that some students are following their dreams abstractly, and without a plan, or that they’re taking courses based on the opinions of parents, or friends, but not their own judgment.
One of many tools a counselor may use in shaping a young person’s mind is a psychometric test. This test outlines a person’s strengths, weaknesses, aptitudes, and interests.
Unfortunately, students tend to take everyone’s advice a little too seriously, without actually examining the facts and career tests for themselves. They react and make decisions emotionally, even impulsively, without thinking about the long-term picture.
It’s a Two-Way Dialog
Another misconception about career counseling is that it’s just a lecture from the counselor to the student. But it’s actually much more effective when the student asks challenging questions. Take a look at some of Indeed’s suggestions on what questions to ask a counselor.
Part of seeing any counselor is determining what the student wants, and what they feel, and sometimes it comes to light after a lengthy conversation.
The counselor can challenge a student about preconceived notions, including:
- Difficult career paths
- Living in a parent’s shadow
- Expensive professions
- The value of degrees for a field
- Careers of tomorrow
- Skills to develop now
Going to college should be about learning the skills that matter for a future career path. General knowledge is good and expected. But when it comes to finding that dream job and working towards attainable goals, a student’s skills will often be the determining factor.
Computer programming, IT, operations management, and even mathematics are skill sets that many of the most popular career fields, like scientist and engineering, require.
Start Thinking About the End of the College Now
For many students, graduating from college seems like such a faraway goal. But time really flies when a person is having fun. Almost immediately after graduation, the business world will need your full attention.
Getting rid of student debt doesn’t have to be a lifelong worry. IF you can start planning for career success now.