Guidance and career counselors

With a plethora of courses available in various fields there is a wide choice of career options. No longer is the selection restricted to mainstream course or courses in engineering and medicine. However this also brought about much confusion. Young impressionable minds with little understanding of their own seem to want almost everything they hear about.

It is not really the wide which should be blamed for all confusion, but lack of guidance and proper direction says a visiting professor in various colleges for media studies. We must now have really qualified and experienced counselors who can really guide the students through all this.

So there is yet another option for young people to get into: of becoming a career counselor. Counselors understand that people are constantly evolving and need guidance during the inevitable transitions in life. In fact, today this career has become all the more interesting and challenging as people from all groups right from college students to even people in their 30s and 40s too now come for counseling when they are faced with a mid career crisis and want to make a career shift.

Everyone needs help at some point in time. Changes in careers, education and emotional and economic transitions happen at all stages of life and counselors help people grow by offering support, therapy, consultation and evaluation. Today counseling is a highly regarded career that is faced with numerous challenges and opportunities. Guidance and career counselors are usually considered together, because the counseling specialties both deal with people who are seeking career, vocational and academic advice and guidance counseling in a school or career related capacity.

In most cases, although guidance counselors assist students of all levels through various emotional and growth phases, career counselors typically work with those who are about to join higher studies and are at the threshold of choosing the streams after class twelve. Sometimes, they may also advise high school students looking to start a career immediately.
Interestingly these days their need in schools and at various guidance centers are felt greatly and many professionally run centers are coming up apart from compulsory counseling cells in schools. The payments typically start from Rs 7000 per month depending on the setup and paying capacity of the school. In some cases the starting pay could easily be as much as 15,000 per month. Normally people start their career as counselors in schools but later go on to join a counseling center or open up their own centers.

Guidance counselors help evaluate students abilities interest and personalities to develop realistic academic and career goals. They use interviews, counseling sessions and aptitude assessment tests to evaluate and advise students. Sometimes they also run career information centers, career day events and career education programs. These counselors also work with younger students who have academic and social development problems or other special needs. A guidance counselor will assist them in finding special education programs, agencies or organizations who can help prepare them for a future career despite their disabilities.

Career counselors typically provide career advice, their focus helping with career decisions. Career counselors explore and evaluate the client’s education, work history, interests, skills and personality traits. They can also be of help at the later career stages if one is looking for a career shift, by arranging for aptitude and achievement tests to help assess the best career moves for a client. Career counselors work with individuals or groups to develop their job search skills and resumes and assist clients in their job hunt. A large part of a career counselor’s job is providing support and guidance to those experiencing job losses, job stress and other career transition issues.

The primary requisite is having a master’s degree in psychology and of course an interest in people and an understanding of psychological makeup of various personalities. One has to be naturally inclined towards wanting to know and analyze behavioral pattern of people, their aptitude. This is a trait that one does not recognize easily, but a passion for psychology is the beginning point. For super specialization one can also take a course in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. But a PG in psychology is a must. So if you are interested in reading people’s minds and aptitude and advising them on what they should take up here is a great career option.

SAY YOUR PIECE WITHOUT DISTURBING THE PEACE

Do you find it hard to say “No” when asked to work late (yet again)? Do you feel pressured into taking on more work than you can handle? Is it hard for you to ask for help when you need it?

These situations, and many more like them, show why good assertiveness and negotiation skills are a vital part of maintaining a healthy work life balance.

Whether you bottle up your frustrations and then explode, or end up feeling like the office doormat, an inability to communicate openly and to find an agreeable compromise will be damaging your health.

“One of the problems we hear about most frequently is that people feel sabotaged by the demands of others. They find it difficult to deal with these issues and stay in control of their feelings. They get very anxious about such situations and end up feeling put upon and taken for granted. They often feel resentful and angry – which is always bad news for your health.”

“People do not realize that there are techniques they can learn to make these situations more successful. We are not all born assertive or natural negotiators but we can learn these skills and improve our life balance as a result.”

Here are following tips for those struggling with assertiveness or negotiation.

1. Don’t be pushed into making instant responses. You need time to think so make sure you take it.
2. If you know a particular situation is going to be difficult, prepare well. Think about what you are going to say.
3. Like all skills, these need to be practiced so make sure you rehearse them and use them regularly.
4. Body language has a huge impact on how you are perceived. If you stand like a victim you’ll end up being one. Look strong - be strong.
5. Do not rise to the bait of personal remarks – stick to the issues. If someone’s behavior crosses the line be prepared to end the encounter. Do not stay around to be abused.
6. Listen carefully and be aware that your own biases and options will give you a tendency to pre-judge. Try to remain open minded.
7. When using new techniques find a form of words that works for you – adapt them to your natural style.
8. Practice difficult situations with a neutral party beforehand.
9. Know what it is that you want to get out of the situation before you begin and then work towards that goal.
10. Believe you are worth it. If you are to negotiate successfully you must believe you are worth the outcome you want.

People’s beliefs about themselves, their rights and responsibilities are an important cornerstone.

-      

-       Satish Kumar (25 July 2012)

Expect The Unexpected…!

How do successful business executives stay on top of the game in an ever-changing global marketplace? By being prepared for the unexpected, when senior management and executives are up-to-date on industry movement, they are better prepared to know when to act and when to wait. Just as investors must understand and learn when to act in the stock market, so too do executives need to understand which industry changes necessitate action.

Successful corporate leaders are not necessarily those who are able to motivate the troops to excel, but rather, those who are able to anticipate and react to change. This executive understands the current business climate, and has a thorough understanding of the management team's capabilities. Signs may point in a clear direction for an industry to head, but is this the best direction for a particular business? This is a fine line to walk, and executives who are skilled in researching industry trends, keeping up with all types of technologies, and are able to handle the unexpected will be the ones who can lead a company into the next phase.

1. Ensure Senior Management and Executives Keep Their Fingers on the Pulse of Their Industry
while it seems like common sense; the simple act of keeping up on industry trends is too often overlooked. Those in executive careers are overworked, over-focused, and too busy developing the next big thing of their own. But what is going on in the industry while your company is buried in its own projects? The perceptive executive knows that it is essential to keep a finger on the pulse of the industry. This includes current trends, projected directions, and of course, what the competition is doing.

Successful businesses are often those who develop a niche and do this best, whether it is develop a product, provide a service, or a combination. However, these companies also seem to know when it is appropriate to expand. What about less successful companies? How often have start-ups gotten off to a great start, only to fizzle out a few months later?

The difference is finding the balance between the core products or services and the new options that show real--not simply hyped--potential. The only way this can be determined with some degree of accuracy is to keep watch over the industry on a regular basis, from observing historical trends to watching which of the latest developments show potential. Many executives get themselves and their companies into trouble by trying to do too much. It is not possible to "hit" every trend that comes your way, no matter how tempting or how big the financial payoff appears to be.

2. Don't Overlook the Short- and Long-term Benefits of Technology

Technology affects all aspects of your business, regardless of whether or not you are in a technical business or not. Corporations of all size rely on a wide range of technologies on a daily basis; a simple breakdown in one area can hold up the rest of the company in very short order. Just as the breakdown of a single machine on a manufacturing line can put a halt to production, so too can a breakdown of the simplest technology create costly difficulties.

Just as the corporate executive needs to have a solid grasp on the direction of his or her industry, so too does this person need to have an understanding of both short- and long-term benefits of technology. Knowing when to act can save or cost the company millions of dollars.

Those with executive jobs need to understand the benefits of a technology in order to make a wise decision on its use. Many current technologies are enticing, promising quick results for a fraction of the cost. Nevertheless, will these technologies be around for the next few years? In many ways, there is no excuse for an executive not to know whether a new development is worth the investment. Information on new technology is everywhere, in many forms, such as online, in books, magazines, presentations, and word of mouth, just to name a few.

3. Expect the Unexpected is it possible to expect the unexpected? Of course--anyone can say they're ready for the unexpected. Having an idea what the unexpected will be is quite another matter, which is why it' so important for executives and senior management to conduct ongoing industry research and stay current on technology. Effective leaders have a clear sense of where the company is going and have a plan in place complete with contingencies. Expecting the unexpected means planning for the unexpected, Successful executives understand where the company is in its business cycle and plan accordingly. An established company may be better equipped to take risks, for example. If senior management is prepared for both success and failure, with plans in place for all scenarios, the unexpected may not come as such as surprise. In other words, forecast what's to come and modify your operations, administration, sales and marketing, and customer communications to accommodate it.

Encourage all executives and members of senior management to stay vigilant on industry developments. Promote communication between all corporate departments and compare notes. Use the combined information to make as accurate of forecasts as possible.

Expect The Unexpected…!

How do successful business executives stay on top of the game in an ever-changing global marketplace? By being prepared for the unexpected, when senior management and executives are up-to-date on industry movement, they are better prepared to know when to act and when to wait. Just as investors must understand and learn when to act in the stock market, so too do executives need to understand which industry changes necessitate action.

Successful corporate leaders are not necessarily those who are able to motivate the troops to excel, but rather, those who are able to anticipate and react to change. This executive understands the current business climate, and has a thorough understanding of the management team's capabilities. Signs may point in a clear direction for an industry to head, but is this the best direction for a particular business? This is a fine line to walk, and executives who are skilled in researching industry trends, keeping up with all types of technologies, and are able to handle the unexpected will be the ones who can lead a company into the next phase.

1. Ensure Senior Management and Executives Keep Their Fingers on the Pulse of Their Industry
while it seems like common sense; the simple act of keeping up on industry trends is too often overlooked. Those in executive careers are overworked, over-focused, and too busy developing the next big thing of their own. But what is going on in the industry while your company is buried in its own projects? The perceptive executive knows that it is essential to keep a finger on the pulse of the industry. This includes current trends, projected directions, and of course, what the competition is doing.

Successful businesses are often those who develop a niche and do this best, whether it is develop a product, provide a service, or a combination. However, these companies also seem to know when it is appropriate to expand. What about less successful companies? How often have start-ups gotten off to a great start, only to fizzle out a few months later?

The difference is finding the balance between the core products or services and the new options that show real--not simply hyped--potential. The only way this can be determined with some degree of accuracy is to keep watch over the industry on a regular basis, from observing historical trends to watching which of the latest developments show potential. Many executives get themselves and their companies into trouble by trying to do too much. It is not possible to "hit" every trend that comes your way, no matter how tempting or how big the financial payoff appears to be.

2. Don't Overlook the Short- and Long-term Benefits of Technology

Technology affects all aspects of your business, regardless of whether or not you are in a technical business or not. Corporations of all size rely on a wide range of technologies on a daily basis; a simple breakdown in one area can hold up the rest of the company in very short order. Just as the breakdown of a single machine on a manufacturing line can put a halt to production, so too can a breakdown of the simplest technology create costly difficulties.

Just as the corporate executive needs to have a solid grasp on the direction of his or her industry, so too does this person need to have an understanding of both short- and long-term benefits of technology. Knowing when to act can save or cost the company millions of dollars.

Those with executive jobs need to understand the benefits of a technology in order to make a wise decision on its use. Many current technologies are enticing, promising quick results for a fraction of the cost. Nevertheless, will these technologies be around for the next few years? In many ways, there is no excuse for an executive not to know whether a new development is worth the investment. Information on new technology is everywhere, in many forms, such as online, in books, magazines, presentations, and word of mouth, just to name a few.

3. Expect the Unexpected is it possible to expect the unexpected? Of course--anyone can say they're ready for the unexpected. Having an idea what the unexpected will be is quite another matter, which is why it' so important for executives and senior management to conduct ongoing industry research and stay current on technology. Effective leaders have a clear sense of where the company is going and have a plan in place complete with contingencies. Expecting the unexpected means planning for the unexpected, Successful executives understand where the company is in its business cycle and plan accordingly. An established company may be better equipped to take risks, for example. If senior management is prepared for both success and failure, with plans in place for all scenarios, the unexpected may not come as such as surprise. In other words, forecast what's to come and modify your operations, administration, sales and marketing, and customer communications to accommodate it.

Encourage all executives and members of senior management to stay vigilant on industry developments. Promote communication between all corporate departments and compare notes. Use the combined information to make as accurate of forecasts as possible.