The Truth About Career Counselling: Myths Busted
Career Counselling Myths Part-2 – In this episode, Ms. Suchitra Surve talks about some myths related to career counseling. One of the frequent queries asked by parents and students is what is the scope available or money earned in the suggested careers by the counselors? The question is valid, money does play an important role but we need to understand that every career has its pros and cons.
Scope in any career always depends on how you decide to take that career ahead. Some careers will come with a lot of opportunities and certain careers will have limited opportunities. But how you will grow in it will depend upon your skills and perseverance.
The money will change with the industry, organization, location, and area that you’re working in and more on the skills that you bring to the table. While deciding on a career think about what you have, and what you can give in or innovate in that career rather than just focusing on how much you are going to earn because talent has no limit on how much earning you can make.
Another myth is that the results of the academic marks and aptitude tests are different. The assessments that we use are based on standardized norms and have a psychological base to it. It helps in identifying the conceptual understanding of the student. What a student studies for the exams may be different because they do the rot learning or just write an answer without understanding. That’s why we see a discrepancy between the ability assessed and the scores in academic reports.
Another concern that parents have is suggesting top-ranking colleges. As counselors, we can give you an unbiased list of colleges. Since there is no one single authority who defines the ranking for the colleges.
It is always better to go with the recognized course. Visiting the college or talking with students or alumni might help you. It is beyond a counselor’s purview of work to suggest the top-ranking colleges. Hopefully, this will help to go and meet the counselors with the right mindset and open mind, introspect, and make a wise decision.
Frequently Asked Questions for Career Counselling Myths
1. Myth: Career counseling is only for people who are unsure about their career path.
Fact: Career counseling is beneficial for everyone, including those who want to explore new opportunities, enhance their current career, or gain clarity and direction in their professional journey.
2. Myth: Career counselors simply tell you what career to choose.
Fact: Career counselors don’t make career decisions for you. Instead, they provide guidance, assessments, and information to help you make informed decisions that align with your interests, skills, and goals.
3. Myth: Career counseling is expensive and only for high-paying jobs.
Fact: Career counseling services come in various price ranges, and many counselors offer affordable options. Career counseling is valuable for all careers, not just high-paying ones.
4. Myth: Career counselors can guarantee job placement or success.
Fact: Career counselors can’t guarantee employment or success, but they can equip you with the tools, skills, and strategies to increase your chances of achieving your career goals.
5. Myth: Career counseling is a one-time session, and that’s all you need.
Fact: Career counseling can be an ongoing process. It often involves multiple sessions to explore options, set goals, and make adjustments throughout your career journey.
6. Myth: Career counseling is only for recent graduates.
Fact: Career counseling is for people at all stages of their careers. It can help professionals transition to new roles, navigate career changes, or find more fulfillment in their current positions.
7. Myth: Career counselors only focus on job hunting and resume writing.
Fact: While job searching and resume writing are part of the process, career counseling covers a wide range of topics, including skill development, networking, work-life balance, and long-term career planning.
8. Myth: Career counseling is a lengthy process that takes years to see results.
Fact: Career counseling can provide immediate benefits by helping you clarify your goals and make informed decisions. The duration varies based on your needs and goals.
9. Myth: Online career assessments can determine the perfect career for you.
Fact: Online assessments are helpful tools but should be used in conjunction with personalized counseling. Your career path depends on many factors beyond a test result.
10. Myth: Career counselors only work with individuals; they don’t help with corporate career development.
Fact: Career counselors can work with individuals, teams, and organizations to enhance career development, leadership skills, and employee satisfaction.
