Career counselling is becoming an essential service for students seeking guidance for their academic and professional pathways. Moreover, as per the report by Gradding, 64.8 percent of students who received career counselling, made informed decisions about their academic and career paths. However, this number is not sufficient, as in India, the culture of seeking professional help is still a nascent concept.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023, the world job market is changing at a rapid rate. Additionally, 85 million jobs will be lost to AI and 97 million new jobs are arising that will be technological advancements-driven. So, it is even more important for students to know where they are in need.

One often overlooks career counselling’s benefits in academic success. Moreover, according to The Journal of Career Development (2023), those who took this counselling were 30 percent more likely to stick to the courses chosen than to switch them. This is because of the clarity they have regarding their career objectives, and this makes them align their effort and dedication towards long-term plans. Besides, career guidance also makes them develop soft skills, i.e., communication, problem-solving and time management. Besides, these are highly valued by employers who are seeking well-rounded candidates.

However, there are numerous challenges as it is not accessible to all students equally, especially in rural areas and for those with lower incomes. Hence, this lack of access may hinder students from fully realising their potential. Besides, even after many perks, it is not fully updated as per the current industry trends, as counsellors are still using old-fashioned techniques to evaluate the skills and expertise of students.

In the end, those who opted for the process of career counselling explored more options and made informed decisions about their future. They developed strategies to achieve their goals. Without the proper assistance, sometimes students find themselves stuck in their lives. Therefore, this depicts the importance of career counselling not just in supporting the students but also in preparing them for immediate satisfaction and a long, prosperous professional life.

However, it is concluded that approximately 64.8 percent of students benefited from availing counselling from professionals. Thus, there is a divergence between those who benefited from the counselling and those who did not prioritise the value of each to support in shaping a successful and emerging future.

Also read:

Karnataka: No grace marks to up pass percentage, minister confirms