How Can Career Counseling Potentially Help You?

Finding a fulfilling career that you enjoy can be challenging, especially when considering factors like work-life balance and money. Even if you appreciate your current job, you might seek advice on furthering your skills, finding out where your strengths lie, or changing jobs to improve mental or physical health. In these cases, taking a career test and seeking career counseling may offer advantages. Career counselors with their expertise in counseling techniques can guide clients through assessments, skill analysis, and goal-planning techniques. Learning how these professionals offer support can help you decide if career counseling is right for you.

What is career counseling?

These career coaches specialize in areas related to career development and human services, including education, mental health challenges, strengths, or areas for growth. Often, they are accredited by the American Counseling Association. Regardless of your employment status, they possess expertise and knowledge to help people with various goals, such as: 

• Making a career change
• Helping young adults find a career 
• Helping college students chart a path forward 
• Finding a higher education institution that fits your career goals
• Discussing strengths and weaknesses
• Creating cover letters or resumes
• Developing strategies to increase productivity at a job 
• Mock interviewing 
• Mental health concerns related to work settings 
• Finding local career information resources 
• Providing support toward your own well-being
• Some career counselors work at programs in career centers or universities, offering aptitude testing and connecting individuals with job opportunities and alumni networks.

How can career counseling benefit you? 

Career counseling can allow you to discuss your future with a professional who can act as a sounding board for your decisions, taking into account factors such as family, money, and potential employers. Below are a few ways career counseling might benefit you as you determine your path as a graduate or explore a new program.

Education about your options 

You can discuss the career path you're considering and any qualifications you might need to get a job in that field with a counselor. Education about options and resources can help you feel empowered, and your employment counseling expert can also support you in various aspects of career and mental health development. 

Support with educational plans 

You can discuss your thoughts on education and whether you're considering returning to school, changing careers, leadership training, or changing your major. These professionals can help you work through your concerns to allow you to make the most effective choices, whether you’re a student or a working professional. 

Evaluation 

Career counselors can also objectively evaluate your interests, abilities, and values to help you decide which paths most match up to them. They might achieve this through conversation, reviewing your past work, or offering a career aptitude test. You may be asked about your past jobs, skills, and interests in a test. They may also ask questions to assess if you need a mental health intervention due to any factors associated with the stress of career development.

Resources

When you're ready to put your plans into action, career counseling can help you locate resources or information about potential careers and educational paths. Your counselor can help you develop a plan and find local resources to achieve your goals and address career concerns. For example, if your goal is to gain a government job, your counselor might connect you with a government job search organization. 

Often, counselors do not tell you exactly what you "should" do or what job is "best" for you. Instead, they offer guidance and advice as you make decisions for yourself. If you aren't sure about your responses to specific questions, they can help you make choices by providing you with a list of options.

Who might benefit from career counseling? 

Anyone may benefit from career counseling. This type of therapy is not limited to a diagnosis, specific symptoms, or severe challenges and can be helpful for a wide range of mental health concerns, including those related to ageism in the workplace. Finding the right career can be a lifelong process. Therefore, it's not too early or too late to try career counseling to understand your professional goals. 

People might start career counseling in high school when considering which schools to apply to. Others might start in university as they consider their future jobs, and career counseling for college students is highly beneficial, as students begin to feel the academic pressure to get a job. Further, you can attend career counseling at any point in your professional life or age. Even if you enjoy your job, career counseling can help you further your skills or learn more about your profession. 

Often, the goal of career counseling is making career decisions or meeting a goal. For example, some people might aim to be promoted, get hired for their dream job, or ace an interview. Whatever your goals, your counselor can support you. If you make a career leap, having a counselor available can be beneficial if you meet any setbacks or uncertainty. 

Finding the perfect career can be a lifelong process. The careers you desire during therapy may change over time. You can change paths at any time, and your therapist can help you do so.

How to start career counseling

If you already have an idea of your interests, start there. You can work with your counselor to discuss how your interests and aptitudes align with a plan for your future. If you're not yet sure what type of job you want, your counselor may use your interests to develop a list of potential career fits. You can select your favorites and discuss the educational requirements for each. 

A career counselor can also offer support for those who have already made decisions and are seeking support with the execution phase to begin their new career or role. For example, they might help you develop a written plan for how to achieve success. They can also link you with potential mock interviews or a resume support service. 

Where can you find a career counselor? 

Many cities have career counseling centers where you can set up an appointment and meet with a professional, often on a short-term basis. Some universities and high schools also offer career counseling for younger people. If you're looking for more intensive career counseling, you can look for someone who works in non-public practice. Ask your primary care physician for a referral or search online for options. 

If you're unable to afford career counseling and mental health services in your area, you can also consider online therapy. With an online therapy platform, you can specify your needs when you sign up to allow the matching algorithm to find you a personalized career counselor. In addition, you can attend therapy from home, allowing you to focus your energy on your career or educational pursuits. 

In addition to the benefits of online therapy, research has found that it is as effective as in-person options. For example, one study found that 71% of participants felt online therapy was highly preferable to and as effective as traditional treatment options. If you're interested in trying one of these platforms, you can sign up for a website like BetterHelp, which offers various specialties, including career counseling.