Career counselling emerging as a preferred choice for teachers

You have decided to go on a journey from A to Z. You fix a route and head out. Once you start your journey, you reach a crossroad with many exits to get to your destination. The map you have, didn’t show you this and now, you are more confused than sure of which road to take.

The above illustration is what 90% of students face when choosing their preferred course and career. The fix to this problem? Career Counselling! The importance of career counselling cannot be defined.

The fact of the matter is, while a student does understand the importance of education and career, the lack of information and understanding with regards to studies or their future, can be very frustrating. According to statistics, 86 per cent of students are concerned about which option to choose for higher education. The problem is, 92% of them don’t get any career-related guidance from their schools.

Consider this, there has been a 600% increase in the number of students getting 90-95% marks in just the past 5 years. Doesn’t this show that they do consider education as important? The problem as stated earlier is the lack of information, mainly on the lines of which career to take and what course to do.

With students having lack of awareness, teachers need to take up the mantle to help them! In India with only 500 counsellors for about 1.5 million students the calling has never been greater. Many teachers have paid heed to this calling and have taken up programs to help them become counsellors.

They have started to take various certification programs, mainly at the diploma and postgraduate level. As an example, many teachers have found the online course on career counselling offered by the University of California, Los Angeles (Extension), and Univariety, called the Global Career Counsellor (Green Belt Certification), really helpful and a great addition to their resume.

Many teachers have found such programs to enhance their knowledge and teaching skills. They have learnt to use the “enabler” i.e. technology to the benefit of their students, counselling them in unconventional ways but having lasting results.

The importance of career counseling cannot be stressed enough and as a teacher, you would be the first person your students will come to for guidance. A course in career counselling is sure to help you and in turn, you can help build a bright future for each of your students.