Is Career Counselling the Need of the Hour?

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world in ways we never could have expected. The disastrous health consequences have been accompanied by several economic issues, such as loss of employment and financial insecurity. As we emerge from the pandemic, it is obvious that the demand for career counselling has never been greater. In this blog, we will see how the pandemic has affected the unemployment rates and how career counselling can play an important part in directing people towards jobs that are fulfilling.

1.The Problem of Unemployment

The pandemic caused significant financial instability, leading to significant layoffs across multiple industries. The situation was particularly grave in India, a country noted for its rising population and employment issues. Businesses closed, industry reduced their operations, and millions of people lost their jobs.

While the pandemic's immediate economic impact was obvious, its long-term effects on employment trends are equally significant. An odd situation has arisen in which, despite the country's high unemployment rate, experts believe a shortage of labour in the post-lockdown future.

2.Understanding the Problem 

a) Skills Don't Match: Due to the pandemic, many jobs were just lost, because there was an advancement in the digital world. The skills that people had were of no use after the pandemic and they couldn't get new jobs as they lacked the skills they needed for the new jobs. It was more like having puzzle pieces which don't fit together.

b) People don't want their Old Jobs: After the pandemic, people who lost their jobs during the pandemic realized that the industry was not stable, and they wanted to find jobs and do something on their own where their jobs are safer and last longer.

c) Several People Quit Working: As a result of the pandemic, several people decided to leave their jobs earlier than intended. Perhaps they retired or changed their mind about what they wanted to accomplish with their lives.

People took a toll on their mental health and didn't know what they wanted to achieve in their careers, and for that people needed career counselling to know what they wanted to achieve in their careers. To know better, let's first understand what is career counselling. 

3.What is Career Counselling?

Career counselling is the process of receiving informed, instructive, well-explained and insightful decisions from an expert to help students understand themselves and know the options available for them to make educational, career and life decisions. Career counsellors have been recently popular in recent years as parents and students have also recognized the importance of making sound decisions about one’s future.

4. The Role of Career Counselling 

Career counselling emerges as a source of hope and advice in this difficult world. Here are some instances of how it might be beneficial:

a) Skill Assessment: Career counsellors can evaluate an individual's talents, strengths, and limitations. They assist in identifying skill gaps and recommending appropriate training or education programmes to bridge them.

b) Career Exploration: Many people are unaware of the wide range of job possibilities open to them. Career counsellors can introduce people to fields they may not have considered before and provide information on industry trends.

c) Adaptation to the Digital World: As sectors undergo digital transition, career counselling can assist people in navigating this new field. To improve digital literacy, counsellors might recommend online courses and certifications.

d) Psychological Support: Coping with job loss and career change can be difficult emotionally. During these changes, career counsellors provide emotional support as well as stress management measures.

f) Personalized Career Planning: One-size-fits-all career guidance is rarely effective. Career counsellors create personalized career plans based on an individual's specific circumstances and goals.

5. How has Career Counselling Become a Necessity for Students?

Because students do not receive enough supervision, they follow their parents' ideals and stuck at a certain point in their careers. It is important to remember that each person is unique, and what your uncle's son is doing is not a done deal for you to accomplish. You have a skill set that is distinct from that of others. To solve this issue for students, their parents must direct them to a counsellor who can assist them in selecting the best option for them. The counsellor listens to the student's interests and experience and then employs various tools and exams to assist the student in gaining stability in their profession and pursuing the path that will lead to success. 

a) Selecting the Right Career Path : 

Choosing the right educational path is a life-changing decision that may push the person forward or may bring down them as well. Nowadays many institutes or colleges confuse students with their marketing techniques as they get convinced by their marketing techniques. As a result, having a correct direction is important for which Career counselling sessions are important. 

b) Recognizing our Strengths:

Career counsellors offer advice to students by doing assessments to evaluate a student's competencies and identify areas of strength, they concentrate on students' requirements focus on their skills and strengths and guide them through so that they can flourish in their chosen career and field.

c) Provides Clarity on Career-related Confusion and in your Thought Process: 

Failure is unavoidable in life and it is important to bounce back and not carry the burden of failure. Many people want to study at famous colleges but with limited seats and fierce competition, not everyone can get in. Career counsellors can guide you in a proper direction depending on your skills and prevent you from feeling stuck or settling for less.

Career counselling isn’t just for high school kids, it's a lifelong process. In 2022, 82% of the Indian workforce changed their jobs due to job dissatisfaction, work-life balance or career disadvancement. Throughout your work journey, career counsellors will give stability and advice. 

To help and clear all these confusions, Asktree has guided students, and professionals to find a direction depending on their skills and prevent you from feeling stuck or settling for less. if you too feel the same, fill out this form and we will get in contact with you and help you to guide you in the proper direction.