CAREER GUIDANCE

Objectives

—To introduce the students to a variety of careers from which one can choose
—To know the various factors one has to consider before choosing a career
—To focus on the 4-step process of selecting a career: self, options, match and action
—To assist them in choosing a career that best suits them
—To prepare the students for interview 

• Brainstorming Session

• If you could choose one friend to trade jobs with, whom would you choose?  Why?
• What would you like to do the most? 
• Why is it interesting?
• If you had the right education or skill set, what would you try?
• If you had to go back to school tomorrow, what would you major in?
• What do your friends say you are great at? Why?
• If you had a free day that had to be spent “working” on something, what would you choose? Why?
• When you retire, what would you want to be known for?
• Theoretical input

Meaning of career guidance

• Guidance is necessary to choose a career
• It may be personal, educational and vocational in nature
• It is a phase needed mostly by children, youth and adults

Counselling & Guidance

1. Guidance is the total program engaged in by an educational institution primarily aimed at assisting an individual to make and carry out adequate plans and to achieve satisfactory adjustment in all aspects of his/her daily life - Tolbert
2. Counselling is a scientific process of human assistance extended by an expert in an individual who is in need of seeking help

Characteristics of guidance

1. It is a process to help an individual to recognition and use his/her inner resources
2. It is a continuous process needed from early childhood to adulthood and even in old age
3. Choice and problem points are the distinctive concerns
4. It is an assistance to the individual in the process of development rather than direction
5. It is a service meant for every student

1. Principles of guidance philosophy

According to Hollis

1.Dignity of the individual is supreme
2.Each individual is unique
3.The primary concern is his social setting
4.His actions are based on his attitude and personal perceptions
5.Every individual acts to enhance his self
6.Every individual has innate ability to learn and can be helped to make choices
7.Need continuous guidance at every stage
8.Requires assistance by competent professionals

Components of career guidance

1. Career choice

• What type of profession to choose?
• Every job has drawback but some jobs are most suited to our personal interest, ability and aptitude

Factors determining career choice

—Self concept and need,

—Psychological trait,

—Cultural and social factors

—Family influence

—

2. Career planning

Raise these questions to be clear while planning your career:

1.What type of life do I want?

2.Will work be the primary focus of my life?

3.What do I value most in my life and will my job help me achieve these values?

4.Will my career afford me other options or changes?

Career planning is a life-long process which includes:

1.Choosing an occupation

2.Getting a job

3.Growing in our job

4.Possibly changing careers

5.Eventually retiring

Career planning is a 4-step

  process

3. Sources of career placements

4. Preparation for employment

• Part I – Getting ready
• Preparation of job application
• Part II – Looking for opportunities
• Check advertisements, employment exchange, employment news regularly on a daily basis
• Part III – Preparing for the interview

Activity Session

Introduce magazines, newspapers, periodicals to students

Ask the students to go through them

Find out how they help in choosing a career

1. Preparation of application cover letter

2. Preparation of bio-data/CV/resume

3. Preparation for the interview

Should be done carefully, patiently, looking for any mistakes, aiming perfection

“A job well begun, is half done”

“First impression is the best impression”

Details to be incorporated in the application cover letter

Your name and address

Company’s name and address

Salutation

Subject (post applied for)

Reference

Text (body of the letter)

Closing

Courtesy (yours truly/yours sincerely)

Signature

Date of application

Enclosures (resume, photocopies of certificates, photograph)

Details to be incorporated in the biodata

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Age and Date of birth
• Academic qualification
• Technical qualification
• Extra curricular activities
• Career objective
• Experience
• Strengths
• References
• Additional skills
• Date of bio-data
• Signature

Preparing for the interview

• Walk-in requests
• Preparation few days ahead of the interview
• What to carry for the interview?
• Preparations on the day of the interview
• Techniques to follow during the interview

Outcome

The student

Gathers information about himself, his interest, his values, skills, etc.,

Identifies possible occupations he/she is interested in

Searches jobs

Writes application letter and resume

Prepares well for job interviews

LIFE SKILL DIARY

List out the careers around you.

• Which one do you prefer the most? Why?
• Who inspired you to choose this career?
• How would you accept your parents getting involved in your career planning?
• Where would you like to be in your work in five years?
• What type of life do you want?
• Will work be the primary focus of your life?
• What do you value most in your life and will your job help you achieve these values?
• Will your career afford you other options or changes?
• What do you want to be known for when you retire?

Source : Dr. S. Mabel Parimala, Assistant Professor,Department of Zoology

St. Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai