Why Career Counsellors are Critical for the World Today

India has been ranked 126th out of 143 countries in the World Happiness Report 2024. There are many factors observed for bringing out this report and one of the attributes includes careers and jobs. This is to set into perspective that employment alone isn’t enough to make the best of our life pathways but having the ‘right’ career plays a crucial role. In the past, the International Labour Organisation had stated that India would be facing a massive skill-deficit by 2030, causing a ripple effect, piercing into the economy. It’s not that India doesn’t have talent, it does and aplenty, but to tap into their potential and doing it the right way, is something we are lagging behind in. This is where some of the behind the scene heroes come into the picture, considering India inhabits one of the largest populations of young people, these heroes are needed much more today than ever before. The career counsellors, who we like to name, the pathfinders.

Why are career counsellors important?

While education in the 21^st century has evolved to help students gear up for the neo-liberal age, it still needs ample work to match students, their skills and the career paths they find desirable. There is a constant need to learn, unlearn and re-learn and be ready to jobs that have not even invented yet. The world is moving fast, the challenges are novel and the need to find solutions, accelerated. A student emerges from school and universities with a narrow view of the world around, where choices are numerous but the right choices, a puzzle. This is where the career counsellors step in. They help find answers and solve this jigsaw.

What do they do?

Career counsellors bridge the gap between dreams, skills and opportunities. They provide guidance and provide informed knowledge that helps aspirants figure out the difference between peer and parental pressure and passion and dream. Career counsellors are trained for counselling with a specialisation in this stream which also means they are empathetic and lend a patient ear to thoughts and opinions before providing guidance. Career counselling can often lead into the personal and emotional realm too and their background helps them manoeuvre these effortlessly and with kindness.

Who do they work with?

For a very long time since the emergency of career counsellor as a role, students from universities who were aiming for higher education or looking for the right career pathway were the ones who would seek their support. But now, with the onset of the New Education Policy, boost for skill-based training, the constant evolution of technology and the rising of new courses and subject combinations even for under graduation, career counselling is now a mandatory component even in high schools.

Where and when should an aspirant approach them?

The best time to approach a career counsellor is anytime one feels confused or helpless regarding their career choices or subjects of study. To find a path that’s suited to one’s personality, aspirations and study interests, the career counsellors help you create a map to navigate that path to your destination. From helping students find the Major Minor to study, to scouting for universities or organisations of their choices to helping them prepare their CVs (Curriculum Vitae), SOPs (Statement of Purpose) polishing their interview skills, or helping them upskill, the bouquet of services vary with the individual.

How do they provide guidance?

We have all heard of the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator and have even tried it out in our free time, many a times out of mere curiosity. But would you know that this and many such methods are powerful tools within the hands of career counsellor? Career counsellors use their skills combined with various tools to help assess and guide the aspirant. Since the education system is evolving and the students transforming each day, the tools too need to be up to date. It all usually starts with a SWOT analysis – SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The simplest of assessment tools include psychometric test and aptitude tests which help understand the interests, personality, strengths and weaknesses of the student. Other tools are designed to ensure the right career match and even the right education model in case of study enquiries. Many of them also work with stress and anxiety management. They deep dive into an inventory of resources to further empower the student with right choices, ones they already knew of and some they had never considered.

The future as it emerges seeks more tailor-made guidance for young aspirants. With the rising amount of suicide cases amongst aspirants for top colleges in the country, the dismal status in the global happiness report, and the rising number of jobs that need uniquely skilled resources, career counsellors are a ray of hope that could help us overcome many evolving challenges.