Education and knowledge are powerful assets in this competitive era. They become more effective when you apply them in the right direction. They help students to find a career path. The system of education in India is devised to prepare a student’s mind, learn and succeed in examinations. This has moulded many students to be convinced that non-academic activities are not relevant and attaining good marks is what is required for college. The difficulty is that schools lack a mentor/guide to let students know that this is untrue. This responsibility is undertaken by counsellors. According to recent information, a major apprehension is the absence of a career counselling wing or department in school which equips counsellors to assist students. Nearly 85% of the pupil are apprehensive about the right choice to make for higher education and about 92% do not receive any kind of career advice from schools.
The Way Out – Helping Students in their Career Path
Professionals in the education sector have distinguished four vital pillars which may greatly affect the interests of a student’s development and offer them genuine and dependable counsel for their chosen career path. The four torch-bearers are Counselors, School Alumni, Data and Analytical Tools and University/College Admission Officers.
Counsellors – They assist students by offering an array of career-related options which appeal to students. This guidance makes sure that students make wise decisions when they pick a course depending on their competence and interest. Counsellors help students with details on preparing for tests, admission process, coaching academies/centres and scholarships.
School Alumni – An excellent medium for students to get an outlook and correctly perceive their future goals and expectations is their School Alumni. Aspirants can acquire knowledge from their seniors’ experience who will share the preliminary activities related to academics, webinars they benefitted from, participation in extracurricular activities, preparing for tests, etc. Connecting and discussing with seniors who have been through the same a few years earlier will aid them in understanding the dedication required to gain admission to a university and also be updated about the top universities and colleges.
Data and Analytical Tools
These aid students with taking pivotal decisions regarding prior research and inclinations and empower students to reach a conclusion on a university, course and country. These tools cannot suffice and provide solutions to all the queries.
University/College Admission Officers
The Importance of Career Counseling in School
1. An Informed Decision when Choosing a Career
Career Counseling meetings assist students to be informed about the merits and demerits of the various study courses and learning options and career prospects. Hereby, students can make an informed decision and receive a career evaluation which aids in evading the risk of changing the career path in the future.The significance of identifying the work for every person can be measured when one sees the distress of severe career unsuitability. It is here that career counselling and mentoring is required in school to order the thought process related to major career decisions. It may uplift esteem and morale and equip the student with new avenues.
2. Job Fulfilment
Deciding on a career which suits the persona and capability of a student leads to career success and admiration. The chief objective of career counselling is helping students pick a stream/field after school which is in sync with their talents, strengths and job prospects. Due to the right kind of career counselling in school, a majority of students choose a suitable career and maximize their performance which eventually guides them to success.
3. Career Pathing or Mapping
Once the career path is clearly defined, a student can aspire to reach their goals with commitment, dedication and resolve. Besides clearing any confusion and disappointment, career pathing/mapping aids students to be updated with the change and growth linked to the career field.
4. Valuable Assistance
In a lot of cases, career counselling aids students to assess and gauge their own capabilities, strengths and weaknesses. The counsellors also advise students on the details of loans, higher education application procedure, application for passport, visa, lodging, etc. By way of this assistance, students are able to attain long-term objectives/goals.
5. Building Motivation and Confidence
Many a time, candidates are overcome by the possibility of change and the circle of events which direct them to admission for higher education. In such cases, the vital support given by the counsellor right through the admission procedure can raise their morale and equip them with the right amount of confidence to face all probabilities. Career counsellors have an important role in building the motivation and confidence of students, which is imperative for success in the long-term. Counselling also guides students on expanding their contacts group which in turn offers support during their study course in higher education.
6. Gaining an Edge
Counselling provided at an early stage could assist students in gaining an edge and the right outlook, taking into consideration the number of career choices available daily, which would not be observed by them otherwise. Career counselling at an early stage helps students in reviewing their personas and capabilities, interests, aversions and how these factors support and combine with different career aims and paths. This would be useful to students as it would give them a determined approach in searching for the right college after school, pursuing higher education and accomplishing their career goal and expectations.
7. Comprehensive Development of the Student
Every school looks for achieving a comprehensive all-inclusive development of the students. Career counselling and advice makes it easy for students to attain clarity. The abiding and steady relationship between the teachers and the pupils usually produces the most beneficial results.
8. Analyzing Skills and Talents
Career counselling assists a student find an ideal career path for the long-term. In this digitally advancing tech-era, the education space is including methods and tools which can create exact and significant results. Counsellors put into practice tech-superior tools such as personality tests, competence tests and many others that assist in making intelligent decisions. By this method, counsellors discover the talents and interests a student has using these evaluation tests. A student will be informed about his/her capabilities, and counsellors will suggest the suitable career choices according to the student’s strong points.
FAQs About Importance of Career Counselling in Schools
Q. When should career counseling begin in schools?
A. Career counseling can begin as early as middle school and should continue throughout high school and beyond to provide ongoing support during critical decision-making periods.
Q. Why is career counseling important in schools?
A. Career counseling helps students explore career options, set goals, make informed decisions, and develop skills necessary for their future success.
Q. Who benefits from career counseling in schools?
A. All students can benefit from career counseling, including those who are undecided, ambitious, have specific interests, are from disadvantaged backgrounds, have special needs, or are transitioning to higher education or the workforce.
Q. How can career counseling be integrated into the school curriculum?
A. Career counseling can be integrated through career exploration classes, guest speakers and workshops, career fairs, individual counseling sessions, online resources, industry partnerships, and alumni networks.