Career Management: Career Guidance
Everybody needs a little career guidance now and then. Some people know what career they want from a young age. They select a major in college and then go straight to work in their field of interest. Some remain happy with this career choice their entire lives.
But for many of us, its not so cut and dried. I have a bachelors degree in psychology but have never worked a day in the field in my life. Once I graduated, I decided that psychology was not for me. I did not want another several years of school and I definitely did not want to participate in laboratory research involving animals (which was conducted at my university).
But by the time I realized this I was entering my senior year, and was just a few credits away from graduating, so I finished and left school with a psychology degree. I floated around for a few years in various jobs I was overqualified for–including bank telling and waitressing–before I finally decided to go back to school and get my masters in communications. Heaven knows I could have used some sound career guidance back then.
Who Provides Career Guidance?
A vocational counselor can provide career guidance for people in situations like mine. Many counselors give assessment tests to reveal which occupations you would be good at and enjoy. He or she can open your eyes to professions you never even knew existed. If youre in the dark about your career, a vocational counselor could very well be your ray of light.