By the time a student reaches high school, there is a frantic search to define, discuss and decide which career path to choose.

It is important to understand that early planning is the cornerstone of a successful career and therefore, a child should adorn his/her thinking cap preferably in the formative years. By planning for their career, students can explore their interests and hobbies to the fullest and research possible jobs or businesses in the specific fields of their interest. 

In Steve Jobs' words, "The only way to do great work is to love your work.” 

So here's all you should know about the importance of career preparation.

1. Career planning helps students in decoding their current strengths, determining what skills they need to dwell upon, learning innovative ways to improve performance, and finding purposeful careers.
2. Career development approaches such as training, coaching, and mentoring can help individuals create and achieve realistic goals.
3. Career planning outlines how you’re going to get from Point A (where you are now) to Point B (your ultimate career goal). With an end goal in mind, you’ll be able to identify which actions you need to take to get there.
4. It will help you identify where you might have a little more learning to do, allowing you to fill a variety of skill gaps at once, make professional connections that’ll support you for the rest of your career, and pivot in an entirely different direction. 
5. Having a career plan will help you stay motivated during all the twists and turns your career path throws at you. And, most importantly, it will guide you during the times when you are considering a career or industry change by helping you figure out whether your choice truly fits the plan.

About Career Counseling

Career counseling is a process that takes you through a series of experiences to help you make the right decisions considering core components like your interests, family values, culture, abilities, and personality. 

It brings out the ability and skill of the student in what he wants to become in the future. The main aim of counseling is to motivate students to keep their goals higher. It molds students to make the right decisions and removes the fear about their careers. 

Importance of Career Counseling

Everyone wants to realize their dream careers, live a life filled with purpose, and enjoy what they do, and career counseling in schools as a support platform is second to none in helping students through this journey. Here are some reasons why career counseling in school is important.

Broadened Perspective

Through career counseling, students get better insight into the trending courses. When children understand the options available in-depth, we allow them to think, analyze and evaluate. This develops their critical thinking as well. If one wishes to broaden their perspective and learn about the latest career trends, career counseling is the way forward! 

Path to Self-Discovery

Career counseling is the process of guiding students on the path to self-discovery and self-realization, working with them patiently, supporting them as they weed out self-doubt, and making surer decisions based on their interests, leading to long-term satisfaction with their choices and a life lived with purpose.

Identify Strengths and Weaknesses

A career counselor can conduct a SWOT analysis to identify one’s strengths or strong points in him, weaknesses present in him, the opportunities available, and the threats he has to face. Various career counseling programs like InternMart's Career Aptitude Test help you figure out your personality traits (strengths and weaknesses) and how they relate to the career pathways you can explore and pursue. 

Preparing for College Admissions

Along with mapping various career trajectories, career counselors provide students with a concrete strategy and detailed plan of action to build a holistic profile for college applications. During college admission counseling, students are assisted with filling out college applications, provided with recommendations for the statement of purpose, and prepared for interviews. 

Help Students Gain Focus

Some students have it all figured out (the stream and subjects to choose and the career to pursue) but lack the focus and zeal needed to achieve their goals. Career counselors not only have the education but have the observation skills, communication skills, and experience to help students achieve their dreams by guiding them toward the right path. 

Enable Smooth Transition from School to University

Most schools continue to focus largely on imparting academic knowledge without any focus on bridging this knowledge to the world of careers. Especially with the emergence of new careers that require new-generation skill sets in a post-pandemic world, students need urgent support and direction to make the transition from school to university and beyond.

Conclusion

Navigating admissions forms, entrance exams, and personal essays can be overwhelming, especially for a high school junior who’s tackling a full raft of classes, extracurricular activities, and volunteer obligations. Students facing the daunting battle of college admissions don’t have to face this challenge alone; college admissions counselors and career counselors can help guide students through the process, simplifying and streamlining the intimidating college application.