What Will Become of Me? - Career Counseling

You have heard the question ever since you were in Kindergarten.  “What do you want to be when you grow up?”  And while it seemed most of your friends had some stellar goals and dreams, for you, it was never easy.  And now, it is time to go off to college, perhaps to graduate even, and you still haven’t answered that all important question.  If this profile fits you, then you might want to seek career counseling and advice.

What is Career Counseling, Anyway?

Whether you are just entering the workforce, or simply looking to change directions to chase a new life’s dream, career counseling seeks to help.  The job of a career counselor is to match you with the career that plays to your strengths and interests.  Career counseling professionals seek to take these, as well as your aptitude and values into consideration before recommending a list of possible careers for you.

Job satisfaction is important to all of us.  Studies show that most Americans work fifty to sixty hours per week.   This equates to well over a third (35%) of our lifetimes.  As the only life activity that consumes more of our time is sleeping (30%), it makes sense that we ought to at least enjoy doing that which occupies such a major part of our lives.

Tricks of the Trade

Career counseling sessions often begin with the counselor gathering as much information about you as possible.  This can run the gamut from questions about your favorite subjects, foods, video games, and hobbies, to more intimate questions about what means most to you in life, and what non-negotiables might exist for you in terms of what you will and won’t accept in a work environment. 

Next, you might be asked to take a basic aptitude test.  These tests are designed to measure your basic skill levels in math, science, social studies, and language arts.  The tests might measure your artistic, logical, spatial, and other forms of intelligence.  It might even include the submission of a writing sample.  The battery of aptitude tests will give the counselors a basis on which to recommend specific careers, and perhaps warn against others.

Career counseling is often available in community centers, school guidance departments and through college campus career centers.  Many independent career counseling centers exist as well, so it is an easy task to find one in your area, should you have the need.  Check them out, and get on your way to something great!