Shiv Kumar Padha
“Our educational institutes are the bows from where the educated aspirant arrows are shot, while many of them hit the target and the rest are lost in the mist of times.” Before I proceed I feel it worthwhile to cite few lines of Ayodhya Sing Upadhaya’s Hindi poem Ek Boond, the story about the Journey of a rain drop apprehensive and scared of being destroyed. Instead it falls into a Seep (Oyster) and turns into a pearl. A simple effective and moving poem, that assuages the fear of unknown in us when we are going to start a new phase of life. The poet says, Jiyun Nikal Kar Badlon Ki gode Se Thi Abhi Ek Boond Aage Badi, Sochney Phir Yahi Man Mein Lagi, Aah Kyun Ghar Chhod Kar Mein Yun Badi- Dev Mere Bhagya Mein Hai Kya Bata-Mein Bachoongi Ya Miloongi Dhool Mein Ya Jaloongi Gir Angare Par Kisi, Ya Padoongi Kisi Kamal Ke Phool Mein- Veh Gayee Us Kaal Kuchh Aisi Hawa, Veh Samunder Ore Ayee Anmani, Ek Sunder Seep Ka Tha Munh Khula Veh Usi Mein Ja Giri Moti Bani.
Likewise many educated aspirants, passing out from the colleges and universities are beset with the such situations as the rain drop has been depicted in the poem. In the journey of life, few decisions hold as much weight and significance as choosing a career path. For the college students, this decision often feels like standing at the cross roads where every direction seems both promising and daunting. It is during these pivotal moments that the role of Career counseling becomes indispensible. A well guided career counseling session can illuminate the path, clarify doubts and empower students to make informed decisions that align with their passion, skills and aspirations.
By the way please try to answer my question honestly,- Do you really want to study the subjects you have chosen or the job which you are currently pursuing? I will feel happy if your answer is affirmative but even if your answer is negative don’t be surprised, you are among the 85% of the people who also feel like this. We seek advice for each and everything in our day to day lives like what to wear, which phone to buy, what to watch, where go to hang out, then why not seek guidance for such a crucial decision of our lives. Most of the developed countries have a strong structure for career guidance, at school and professional level which helps students decide their further course of action. It is a high time that India recognizes the importance of career counseling not for the students career development but for the nation’s development too!
According to Gurdian,” About 600 million people more than Indias half population are under 25 years old, no country has a higher number of young people”. Hence there is a need for this youth to be guided and led on a career path that is right for them which can in turn help India walk towards a developed economy. Mindler conducted a survey on more than 10,000 students. The findings indicate that 93% of the students were aware of just 7 career options while there are more than 250 career options available in present India.
Career counseling
Career counseling is a process which focuses on helping one understand one’s own self, as well as work trends, so that one can decide about one’s career and education.
Process
The career counseling process involves taking psychometric assessment and meeting career councilor. The students make an assessment that help them assess their current interests, aptitude, emotional quotient, personality characteristics and orientation style. Once the assessment process is over the students can meet a career councilor to plan further. He will listen you and help you and solve your career problems.
Your aptitude
Your aptitude is the key element in career counseling. One can have a number of interests but may not have aptitude for them. Aptitude refers to one’s current skills set and based on their ability to learn specific skills. The Mindler Aptitude test measures a set of 10 different aptitudes such as numerical. Verbal, spatial, creative etc. These aptitude tests assess your ability based on specific questions under each aptitude.
Importance of choosing the right career path
No one in the world is endowed with complete knowledge. Each one of us requires guidance at some point in our life at personal and professional levels. It makes us more aware, allows us to learn more from other’s experiences and helps us make a well informed decision.
The right career
Career counseling can help the students explore a range of careers and evaluate all options in a structured way so the students know what they are getting into. The councilors are experts at assessing the personality, interests and other aspects for them.
Provide expert resources
Career counseling provides access to rich repository of the resources and knowledge that makes the students more aware so that their decisions are not driven by gut or heresy.
Changing unwanted behavior patterns
A career councilor helps break behavioral patterns such as, not keeping updated on the latest developments in their chosen career paths, neglecting emotional and mental health, not trying to self motivate etc.
Helps removing career related frustration
Non fulfillment of aspirations add to the existing frustrations among the both the parents and the children. Career counseling helps remove and reduce such frustrations.
A role model
Career counseling helps students connect to experts who have enough life experience to share. Such career councilors are the role models who have helped people in their life in the matters of selection of the careers.
In conclusion career counseling plays a pivotal role in empowering college students to make informed and confident career solutions. So we urge to everyone who is going to move into the phase of their life where they are going to make a career choice, make it is the right one.
(The writer is Retd Senior Lecturer)