Online Career Guidance: Staying Focused on Success
Professional orientation
At some point or another, we’ve all had to stop and think about the big question: what exactly do I have to do with my life? The question may sound philosophical, but no one has really escaped this question. There is a slightly ‘toned down’ version of this question and all students are faced with this version of the question and it is an equally important question for them. The question is – What career is my career?
Each of us has something special inside. Well, we may not all have the brainpower of Newton and Einstein or the artistic genius of Leonardo da Vinci or Michael Angelo, but we have something that can make a little difference in this big world. We just need something or someone to make us aware of what we have. Many times we feel that we know ourselves and what we want to do, but in most cases it turns out to be a superficial understanding. It takes an expert to figure out ‘what’s underneath’.
What is employment guidance?
Career counseling is the process of thoroughly ‘understanding’ a student and recommending a suitable career option for him/her. Help students discover their true potential and choose the path that best suits their abilities. It would not be an exaggeration to say that career guidance can be as vital as health treatment given on time. Without an adequate ‘dose’ of direction, there is a danger of going astray and students will pay dearly for it in the future.
The counseling process usually involves written tests (aptitude and IQ) followed by an individual discussion with an expert. While the tests would normally consist of multiple choice questions, the discussion aims to explore the ‘hidden details’ that help the counselor understand the student as a whole. It is an informal interview and the student can ask whatever she wants (in the context of education and career).
Counselors are formally trained individuals in the field, and students can feel completely comfortable speaking with them. At the end of the session, the counselor will give you a list of a few focus areas where you can make a brilliant career. The suggestions are backed by the data analyzed during the process. Some counseling centers may also give you an industry overview of fields recommended for you.
A new mode of counseling, i.e. online career counseling, is in vogue today. With the help of the internet, the counseling process becomes much easier and students can get faster results.