Introduction
It has been aptly remarked
that guidance is accepted as an integral part of education. Whatever may be the
objectives of school education, students need the assistance of teachers and
others connected with them to be able to make satisfactory progress. No student
has ever been able to manifest and maximize his potentialities on large extent,
make appropriate career plans, get a suitable occupation and make satisfactory
adjustment in the society without assistance of guidance programme organised in
school.
It constitutes parents,
teachers, community members, administrators, guidance workers, specialists etc.
The cause is, in the modern complex society it has become a difficult task on
part of home and community to provide appropriate and adequate guidance to students
as per their needs and requirements. Hence, the school has a vital role to play
in guiding the students.
Career guidance provides a substantial
understanding about the career that the student is considering or needs help in
choosing the right career. This is useful because the students might or might
not have an overall knowledge of careers and the kind of expectation that is
put by employers on the incumbents who are opting for that career. It also is
helpful to the student in a way that the student can avoid spending unnecessary
time, effort and money in opting for those careers which he/she is not
interested in or may be very difficult to pursue in their life. Hence career
guidance is very important for students before they finalize on a career
option.
Most students find it difficult to make career
decisions once they enter into the 10th or 12thgrade. Making career decisions are so difficult for
students because they aren’t aware of where their interest’s lie and what their
abilities are, nor are they sure of what they want to become in life which is
not their fault either. These individuals are too young to make important
decisions such as choosing a right career path because they do not posses the
necessary skills required to make such an important decision. The reason being
that most children today usually vile away their time engaging in unproductive
activities that serve as distractions for instance the Internet, Smart phones
and the Television, instead of focusing on matters that are of importance. As a
consequence most students haven’t tried different things, therefore choosing a
career path nowadays is so stressful for both students as well as parents.
Although students do have some idea about the options
available in the market, they may not posses complete knowledge about the
wide array of options available to them due to the constant change in the job
market. This constant change in the job market is a result of development
giving rise to newer professions. In addition to this the sources that pupils
use to help them make these decisions are usually their parents, who aren’t
always aware of the various options available in the market. So they tend to
choose a stream that their friends take up, without the knowledge of the course
that will suite them best. This method is usually not a good approach; hence
career guidance becomes essential.
Advantages
Of Gaining Career Guidance
With the help of career
guidance, candidates will be able to make their educational and training
investments wisely. Through career
guidance, candidates will be able to put their complete dedication and
commitment to pursue the suggested career and will be in a position to get an
edge over others. Career guidance will
provide candidates an in-depth understanding about the educational
requirements, training and certifications, schools and colleges, compensation
and wages related to the career at hand.
Career guidance is given
by experts in those fields and they will be in a better position to explain the
current options and developments in the field and the upcoming changes that are
going to positively or negatively affect the candidate who is going to pursue
that career option. Through career guidance, the candidates will be able to fit
their career with their short, medium and long term career goals and
objectives. Career guidance gives them a better framework to plan for their
future career proactively. Career guidance can help immensely in deciding on
the career path of an individual which can lead to the candidate being
successfully in their career life and personal life.
Need
of Organizing Guidance Services
(i) It helps the teachers to take note of
potentialities of each student in different degree in different direction.
(ii) It helps the students and their parents to make
right and appropriate career plans for future.
(iii) It helps to understand the physical, social,
emotional and intellectual characteristics and the need of pupils.
(iv) It promotes efficiency in providing essential
reliable and scientific data on pupils.
(v) It provides knowledge to children in making
satisfactory adjustment in the school and the community.
(vi) A well organized guidance programme saves time,
money and effort.
(vii) It helps students to find a suitable occupation
or vocation.
(viii) It helps teachers to understand the individual
differences of children in various spheres.
(ix) It can properly utilize skill, training,
knowledge, potentialities and interest of staff members of the school.
(x) It co-ordinates the work of all persons engaged in
the guidance programme.
(xi) It utilizes community resources properly for
ensuring smooth organization of guidance programme.
(xii) It helps the students in achieving
self-development, self-direction and self-realization.
(xiii) It considers the activities and functions of the
personnel engaged in school guidance services.
(xiv) It helps in developing good human relationships.
Principles
of Organizing Guidance Services
The guidance services
should be meant for all the categories of students. Organization of guidance programme of any
type—educational, vocational and personal should be done in accordance with the
interests, needs and purpose of the pupils. The guidance service should
consider the total environment of the child while organizing guidance programme
for them. The guidance programme may be
different in an industrial school from that of an agricultural school. The
guidance services should treat the pupil in its entirety. It should also meet the specific needs and
problems of the pupil. Adequate information regarding occupational and
educational requirements and opportunities should be stored. The guidance services should co-operate with
all the agencies of education and provide for leadership. Problems of pupils
should be dealt with before they become serious. It should be directed towards
improving pupils self-knowledge and self-direction. Adequate provision should be made in guidance
services for testing tools to be used in it. The interest and effort of every member of the
staff should be given top most priority in the organisation of guidance
services. It should be as simple as
possible.
Career
Guidance and Counseling Program Plan
At the heart of all nine
programs is the goal of helping students make informed educational and career
choices and carry out plans by providing them with the necessary knowledge and
skills. While these career guidance programs have been very effective in
meeting the career developmental needs of students, they continue to stress the
importance of continually improving their programs. Each program also addresses
the three broad competency areas involved in the career development process:
(1) self-knowledge and self-awareness, (2) educational and occupational exploration,
and (3) decision making and career planning. The following are some of the best
practices found in the recognized programs.
Students
Undergo Intensive Career Exploration and Planning
Use a career advisement
system with every faculty and staff member advising a group of students during
all of their secondary program. Set up a
career development center that consists of the state career information
delivery system and other resources that counselors can use in serving a
diverse group of students. Use a wide range of career materials and assessment
of instruments. Offer organized guidance courses and programs in the secondary
and postsecondary levels. Adapt the National Guidelines in designing and
implementing a guidance curriculum.
Conduct individual
planning and group career counseling. Guide students in developing their
individualized career plans and career planning portfolios. Conduct workshops for students on
self-awareness, assertiveness, problem solving, conflict resolution,
communication skills, careers, parenting, and managing relationships.
Collaborate with others in planning other inservice activities. Invite
graduates to be ambassadors, mentors, nontraditional models, members of
advisory committees, or resource persons for the program.
Serve
All Students
Counseling program is
available to diverse groups of students. Members of special populations. Students
from different racial/ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds. Those at-risk of failing or dropping out of
school, implement programs that address the needs of all students. English
as a Second Language (ESL) programs, Nontraditional programs, Summer vocational
programs for youth. Programs for displaced homemakers/single parents/single
pregnant teens. Computer literacy programs. Workplace readiness skills programs
Maintain
Strong Program Support System
Human Resources- Mentors,
advisors, tutors, volunteers, translators, interpreters, aides, and peer
mediators. Programs and Services- Parent-Teacher Association groups, summer
programs, alumni associatons, and
business education partners. Instructional,
Career, and Educational Resources- computer-related resources, audiovisual
equipment, media centers, libraries, and interview clothes
Collaboration,
Articulation, and Communication
These exemplary career
guidance programs have forged strong partnerships with parents, businesses,
community organizations, teachers, and other school personnel. Teamwork is key
to the effective implementation of an integrated, comprehensive career guidance
program. Everyone involved in the program is committed to assisting every
student succeed in school and, ultimately, in life.
Family/Parental
Involvement and Support, Strong school and family partnership is key to program
success in schools. Parents are involved
in various facets of the student's life.
Parents can participate in the following activities: career planning, educational
planning, advisory committees, financial aid workshops, parent-teacher
conferences, guidance and counseling sessions
Faculty/Staff
Involvement
Faculty are partners in
the career development program; they include career information in the
curriculum and conduct career development activities. Some schools have
teachers serve as career advisors to a group of students. Faculty and
counseling staff participate in in service activities that focus on improving
students' careers and education.
Vocational and academic teachers work
together with counselors during student orientation, career advisory meetings,
curriculum development, career assessment, information exchange meetings and
other counseling activities. Faculty refer students to counseling staff for
individual counseling. Faculty and counselors collaborate to provide job
placement assistance.
Intra-
and Interagency Collaboration
Career guidance and
counseling programs maintain several collaborative campus efforts with other
units and programs (e.g., Planning, Research and Evaluation, Curriculum, School
Improvement, Bilinqual, and Special Education). Assesment of students'
abilities, aptitudes, learning styles, needs, and interests, Development of
integrated curriculum, Appropriate scheduling/placement of students, Promotion
of career guidance counseling program areas and courses. Career guidance and
counseling staff work with external agencies in preparing students from school
to work and/or postsecondary education
Collaboration
with Business
Counselors conduct on-site
visits of business and industry to keep abreast of the changes in the workplace
and needs for personnel. Career guidance and counseling personnel establish
cooperative agreements with businesses (e.g., utility companies, hospitals, and
banks, construction companies) to enable students to become familiar with the
work environments.
Institutional
Support, Leadership, and Program Evaluation
The third group of
components is typical of any good program. The success of the identified
exemplary programs in meeting the career development needs of their students
can be attributed to strong administrative leadership and support, financial
backing, ongoing program evaluation, qualified personnel, organized
professional development activities, and follow-up of program graduates and non
completors. There is a total commitment to assisting every student to succeed.
Institutional
Support
Administrative support and
leadership for each program is demonstrated in several ways and different
areas. For one, counselors have administrators who listen and are receptive to
ideas for growth and improvement.
Administrators are committed to responding to
the needs of counseling staff by hiring needed and qualified personnel,
providing space and facilities for counselors and students, conducting ongoing
staff development programs, and providing financial support.
Facilities
A wide range of resources
are available to counselor and students, including career resource centers,
libraries, private counseling offices, computers, audiovisual equipment, and
assessment and career-related materials. Students, teachers, counselors, and
parents are encouraged to take advantage of these resources.
Financail
Support
Adequate funding is
available for instructional materials, equipment, travel, and continuing
education of counseling personnel. Funding sources include state and federal
funding, local school districts, private agencies, and other grants.
Guidance
Personnel Qualifications
The professionals that
make career guidance programs work are qualified and credentialed individuals.
Most of them have graduate degrees. In some situations, related background and
work experience, as well as educational qualifications, are taken into
consideration when staffing.
Professional
Development
To strengthen the various
components of the exemplary career guidance and counseling programs, staff
development activities are planned. The counseling staff attend workshops and
seminars to improve their skills in career counseling, group and individual
counseling, curriculum development, and assessment. The counselors also conduct
inservice activities for other school personnel on topics such as sexual
harassment, personality assessment, leadership styles, gender equity, and other
career-related issues that are all aimed at improving students' success.
Program
Evaluation
Counseling staff consider
program evaluation as a crucial component in improving services for their
students. Yearly and periodic assessment of programs is conducted not only as a
gauge for meeting set goals, but more importantly for program improvement.
Follow-Up
of Program Completors and Noncompletors
The concern of counseling
staff for their students does not end after graduation. Follow-up of graduates,
as well as early leavers, is crucial in assisting students in becoming successful
in their careers and life. Counselors of the identified exemplary programs
continue to devise a more effective means of doing follow-up. Young people need
to have a hopeful vision of the future and an idea about how to get from where
they are now to where they would like to be.
Limitations
of Organizing Guidance Services
1. For organization of any
guidance services and programmes in school there is a need of psychologists,
counselors and career masters. But in fact most schools don’t have such
personnel. As a result there arises the possibility of failure of the guidance
programme in its organization.
2. Guidance service
programme requires a lot of infrastructure facilities like suitable
accommodation, equipment, sitting arrangement etc. which are considered quite
essential for carrying out guidance programme in a school.
3. Government policy
relating to organization of guidance programme in secondary schools is not
specific, favourable and definite. As a result of this, it becomes difficult on
the part of the school administration to carry out guidance programme for the
betterment of the students.
4. Majority of our
secondary schools don’t have any organized programme of guidance.
5. For organization of
school guidance services, psychological tests like—personality tests interest
inventories, aptitude tests, attitude scales etc. and standardized achievement
tests suitable for the students are rarely available in most of the schools.
Besides, there are schools where these psychological tests and records aren’t
at all available.
6. The teachers on whom
the success of school guidance service depends don’t possess adequate
knowledge, efficiency and competency to offer proper guidance to pupils.
7. In most schools
teachers aren’t trained in guidance and counselling programme.
8. Guidance service or
programme doesn’t come under the scope of evaluation or examination of pupils.
In other words, it has been said that as it isn’t an examinable subject,
naturally teachers aren’t interested to carry out such work without any reward.
9. The teachers in our
secondary schools are over-burdened with their instructional work as a result
of which they don’t give proper time for the said purpose.
Conclusion
Apart from these aspects we even provide career
guidance where they are given the opportunity to discuss queries related to
careers, courses, opportunities in the job market with the career guidance experts
as well. Thus helping them to attain success and reduce the chances of a career
change in the later stages of their life. For all these reasons, seeking the
assistance of a career guidance expert at the right time in the child’s life is
of uttermost importance for parents wishing for a bright future for their
children. Therefore it is said, “The biggest mistake that one can make, is not
having enough information. So put in that extra effort, though it may take a
while, be assured that the decision made is right.
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ഒരു അഭിപ്രായം പോസ്റ്റ് ചെയ്യൂ