Making the right career choice is a daunting experience, more so when you are still a student in grades 9 to 12. You would ask: What were you going to do wrong? or What major should I choose after 10th or 12th? These are some of the questions that many students lie awake at night wondering about. It is not all bad, because career counselling can help you feel more confident and secure about your future. Now, we will discuss how career guidance eases and alleviates the pressure of decision-making in the profession.
Career decision-making refers to selecting the type of study you desire and the profession you would like to pursue. For students, this involves subject selection after 10th grade, stream choice after 12th grade (such as science, commerce, or arts), and college/course choice after 12th grade.
These decisions made without appropriate guidance may cause confusion and mistrust. Parents, friends, or even society may put pressure on you. It is here that career counselling comes in to assist you in making intelligent decisions in the light of your personal abilities and interests.
Career counselling refers to a situation where you discuss your abilities, interests, and goals with a professionally trained person who helps you understand your strengths and what you want to achieve. The counsellor poses questions to you; they hear your worries and propose career opportunities that best suit your personality. They describe various courses, entrance exams and employment opportunities as well.
Consider a career counsellor as a man who accompanies you during the period of confusion. They do not make decisions, but rather assist you in seeing a clear picture so that you can make informed choices.
Many students are unsure of their strengths. You might think you're bad at something when, in fact, you need the right approach. Career counselling includes tests and activities that show your natural abilities.
When you learn about your strengths, you feel more confident. You realise that you have special skills that can lead to success. This knowledge helps remove self-doubt and fosters greater trust in yourself.
Career counseling benefits include understanding whether you're good at creative work, technical subjects, or working with people. Once you know this, picking a career becomes less confusing.
There are numerous choices after 10th and 12th grade. Will you be an engineer, a doctor, a designer, or a businessman? What do we do with emerging disciplines such as data science or online marketing?
All these are explained simply by a career counsellor. They give you the idea of what every career entails, what you have to study and what your future will be in that profession. Once you have clear information, you are also confident in your choice.
The problem is that many students are compelled to choose careers that their parents desire or that are considered safe by society. Career decision-making can be a stressful experience due to the pressure it brings.
Career counsellors assist you in open-heart talks with your parents. They justify your family in such a manner that makes sense. Once your parents can see your side of the case, there is less pressure, and you can feel more confident to pursue your own way.
Every student is different. What works with your friend may not work with you. Advisory opinions on the Internet or by chance usually result in a greater degree of confusion.
Career counselling is a one-on-one counselling session during which the counsellor concentrates on only you. They take into account your marks, interests, family background and future goals. Such individualised treatment will help you receive the advice that suits you best.
When you are being directed towards your plan, you feel confident, as what you are being directed towards is realistic and achievable.
A lack of goals often causes students to lose focus. You may have the desire to do something good, but you are not sure what that is.
The career counsellor will guide you to develop goals that are specific and attainable. For example, you do not say, 'I want to be successful,' but rather, 'I want to get 85% in 12th and get into a good engineering college.'
Specific objectives provide you with guidance. When you have a destination, you walk with a lot of confidence.
Career counselling does not assist with a single decision. It teaches you to make informed decisions on a broad range of topics. The counsellor will demonstrate to you how to:
These are skills that remain with you. These are the same skills that you will employ after you get out of school to make other important life decisions. Knowing how to make decisions fosters confidence that lasts.
Career advisors do not simply discuss topics and disciplines. They also get you ready for the next thing – entrance exams, interviews, college life and the challenges of the workplace.
They may take you through some mock interviews, show you how to write a good application, or help you understand life in college. Once you are prepared, you are less scared and more confident in the future.
Among the benefits of career counselling are soft skills such as communication, time management, and stress handling. Such abilities make you more sure of yourself in every sphere of life.
Big decisions are terrifying alone. Having career counselling, someone is on your side and believes in you.
Your counsellor cheers you on for your small victories and helps you when you are struggling. You feel like a hero just because you know that you are not alone in your plight and that you have a person to call upon.
This emotional support is equivalent to academic guidance for students taking board exams or competitive tests. It makes you confident even when everyone is in a bad mood.
What happens when you fail to attain the grades you want? Suppose you fail an entrance test? Such scenarios have the capacity of ruining confidence.
A career counsellor will make you realise that it is not the end of failure. They introduce you to other ways and assist you in creating other plans. They tell you what your strengths are and keep you going.
The confidence comes when you get to know that failure is natural and that it can be managed. You no longer have the fear of being a failure, and that works out really well in your favour.
You might need to know something about scholarships, special classes, or reading material at times. Career counsellors are well informed on such resources.
They will be able to match you with the appropriate colleges, coaching facilities or internet services. They are aware of free courses, financial assistance, and opportunities that may not be available to you individually.
The availability of the appropriate resources makes you feel better prepared. This eliminates fear and develops trust in your career decision-making process.
Q1: How does career counselling help students?
It identifies strengths, explains career options, reduces stress, and helps students make informed choices with confidence.
Q2: When should students start career counselling?
Ideally in grade 9 or 10. This gives time to plan subject choices and exams. But students in grades 11 and 12 can also benefit a lot.
Q3: Is career counselling only for confused students?
No. Even if you have some idea, counsellors can help you explore more options and prepare better.
Q4: Can career counselling improve exam performance?
Yes, indirectly. Less stress and clear goals help you focus better. Counsellors also share study and time management tips.
Q5: What’s the difference between career and academic counselling?
Academic counselling focuses on grades. Career counselling looks at your bigger goals—career paths, colleges, and long-term success.
Maximise benefits of career counselling: Be frank with your counsellor regarding your feelings, fears and interests. Do not attempt to impress them or to inform them of what you think they want to hear. Express your actual worries, however preposterous they may appear.
You should attend every one of your sessions and complete the tasks or practice that your counsellor prescribes you. Open mind on the various career possibilities. There are occasions where the correct course of your action may be something that you had never thought of.
Engage your parents when necessary. Good counsellors can make you get this disparity between what you really want and what your parents expect of you.
Choosing a career does not need to be frightening. Having the appropriate support, you might feel clear and confident about your future. Career counselling provides you with resources, information and support to make your decisions based on what works best with you.
At Mentrovert, we know how students in grades 9-12 experience. Our career counselling sessions, through the Internet, are important, practical and encouraging. We also engage the parents in the process and offer free trials to students who wish to explore.
You have a lot of opportunities in the future. With the right kind of guidance, you may make the right choices that will result in success and happiness. Do not wait to be doubtful – get started with career counselling now.
