What to expect from Career Counseling

Career Counseling

Who, What and Why

by Judy Kaplan Baron, Ph.D.

 San Diego's Master Career Counselor

Career counseling and career coaching services are available in San Diego and by telephone throughout the United States. 

Here are frequent refrains heard by career counselors everywhere:

- "Help!  I'm 35 and don't know what I want to be when I grow up!"

-  "I can't stand my job anymore, but I don't know what else I am qualified to do or want to do."
   
-" I'd just like to check out whether the grass might be greener on the other side."

- "I've been getting interviews, just no job offers."

- "I've been out of the job market for a while and need to go back to work.  I have no idea what I want to do at this stage of my life."

- "I keep sending out my resume, but I'm not getting any interviews."

- "I know what I want to do.  I just don't know how to make it happen."

- " I need some help figuring out how to be effective with my job hunt."

- "I realize job hunting is at least somewhat about who you know, but I don't know anyone."

- " My performance evaluation is coming up and I think I should prepare.  But I'm not exactly sure what to prepare."

- "I'm having some problems with a co-worker and I'd like to have an unbiased opinion reagarding how to handle it."

 

If any of this sounds like it could be you talking, then you might find assistance with the help of a professional career counselor.  What can a career counselor do for you?  They can assist  you in a variety of ways including:

- clarifying your career goals;

- assessing your skills, interests, personality characteristics and values to identify career options;

- help problem-solve on-the-job issues;

- improve your career-related decision-making;

- set career and life goals;

- assist with job hunting strategies and techniques (including interviewing skills,
resume writing, networking, etc.);

- help develop strategies for life and work balance; and

- provide support if you're experiencing stress as a result of your job or a job loss.

To find a good career counselor, go through the same process you would to find any professional service,  Ask other professionals with whom you work (doctors, lawyers, accountants, bankers, etc.) for a referral.  Ask friends, relatives, and colleagues.  Read articles written by career development professionals and seek them out.  You can also utilize a referral source.  The National Career Development Association maintains a roster of Nationally Certified Career Counselors.  These people, each with a graduate degree in counseling and a minimum of three years full-time career development experience, have passed a career counseling competency test and are charged to abide by a code of ethics.  To get a referral in your area, call the National Board for Certified Counselors at (336) 547-0607.

When all is said and done, a good career counselor can help reduce your work-related frustration and anxiety while improving the quality of your life.  If you would like to discuss the possibility of working with me,  give me a call at (858) 558-7400 or

email:

Careergyde@aol.com



 

 

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