While the majority of Americans spend a third of their lives at work, a 2014 study showed that only 52.3 percent report being satisfied with their job. Finding a fulfilling career is paramount to mental well-being, because job stress often leads to more serious mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. If choosing the most fitting career for you seems like a stressful and frustrating experience, you may want to consider career counseling.
What is career counseling?
Career counseling is designed to assist you in making decisions about your life and career in the present as well as teach you the skills that you’ll need to make future decisions. If you’re feeling lost, career counseling can help you figure out who you are and what you want to get out of your career, education, and life.
Like traditional counseling, career counseling enables you to talk about your thoughts, feelings, and concerns about your career and life. Talking through your feelings will ultimately help you to organize and make sense of them.
As previously mentioned, career development is a lifelong process. This makes career counseling appropriate for people of all ages with concerns about their life or career. It’s recommended to start the process early, because the earlier you begin making intentional decisions about your future, the more prepared you’ll be to make future decisions.
Who should go to career counseling?
Anyone looking to express their concerns regarding career and life choices should try career counseling. You’ll be able to identify factors influencing career development and effectively assess your interests. In addition, career counseling supplies patients with career-related resources and builds a plan to achieve goals.
If you’ve ever wondered what to do with your life, what to major in, or what to do once you graduate, you’ll likely find career counseling to be beneficial. Career counseling is also extremely helpful for those who already have a plan, but aren’t sure how to fill in the missing pieces. For instance, if you know what you want to do once you graduate but aren’t sure what the best major would be, a career counselor can help talk you through your options.
Career counseling is also designed to help those considering changing or leaving a career. Because one’s career is a key aspect of life, embarking on a new career can be stressful. Career counselors help by discussing potential career options for patients at any stage in their life.
How career counseling can help you
A typical career counseling session will involve exploring a patient’s skills, strengths, and the factors influencing career development. Your education levels and current employment situation will also be taken into consideration. Your counselor will be able to help with any concerns you have and offer advice regarding your current situation.
Depending on your career counselor, you may be asked to take an IQ test, an aptitude test, or the Myers-Briggs type indicator. These tests have proven useful in helping individuals explore potential career choices based on their personality.
During your counseling session, you should be prepared to talk openly about particular skills or talents you have, your educational background, and what kind of daily working environment you’d prefer.
From deciding what to major in to what job you want to get after graduation, career development is a lifelong process requiring both career and life decisions. A number of factors influence career development, including interests, abilities, personality, and background. Career counseling allows you to get to know and understand both yourself and the world around you while making career, educational, and life decisions.
