There may come a time in your life where you feel stuck in a rut in your profession or decide you want to change careers entirely. Both can be incredibly nerve wracking. However, there are professionals who make a job out of helping you land in a position that suits you best. Career counselors can offer valuable insights and assistance as they help you figure out your next move.
Formal Job Description
The job description for this profession is well defined in an article written for careerexplorer.com. It states, “A career counselor is an individual trained to aid people with their career choice. Whether the person is new to the working world, or simply desires a change of profession, the career counselor will be able to guide them in the best possible direction. Beginning with interviews to determine their client’s skills, underlying drive, and personality traits, the career counselor gains an understanding to better serve them in their search for the right career.”
Responsibilities
This is something professionals in the field take very seriously. They work hard to research pertinent career information as well as take time to get to know you in order to match you with the right professional path. A careerexplorer.com article mentions, “Career counselors are responsible for having knowledge of the skills needed in various fields, the average salary of each field, and the requirements of each field. After they have assessed a client they will then match them up with a field suitable for their skills and personality, creating the most profitable match possible in terms of job satisfaction and monetary earnings. Career counselors will not, however, simply match up a client with a profession and send them on their way. They work with their clients, helping them to research the right job, as well as helping to locate resources for strengthening the skills needed for the job desired.”
Finding a Career Counselor
If you’re looking for someone to help you sort out your professional life, finding a career counselor would likely be beneficial for you. Where can you find one? A great place to start is at a local college or university. These institutions typically hire someone to help students decide what to study, and help graduates find jobs they will be satisfied with. This person will likely know of any career counselors in the community who will be able to assist you. If you are uncomfortable reaching out in that way, you can always visit the National Board of Certified Counselors website and use their search function in order to locate someone who can help. Don’t be afraid to ask for references and be sure to find someone that you can pay ‘per session’ instead of purchasing an extensive package.
Career counselors can make all the difference when trying to find a job or changing careers. Surround yourself with an excellent support system to help make the transition as seamless as possible.
