Career education isn’t social work and it isn’t psychology. If you are not an expert in the world of career practice, it could be more damaging than fortune telling.
Predicting the future
There is a world of specialist career practitioner theory and skills that underpin successful career practice. As you work your way towards becoming a Career Professional via an academic pathway, these tips will help you to lead students to their best career.
Don’t do computer programming. Computers are a passing fad.
1990’s Phys Ed Teacher/Career Advisor to high school student in Geraldton
You can’t wing it as a career advisor. People believe you are the expert. People believe what you say. A flippant comment or ill informed advice from you can change lives. This student did not follow his dream into a career in computer programming.
You have a personal responsibility to be the expert, to KNOW where to look for the right information.
Empower yourself through professional learning
As you do your academic studies you will learn skills and theories that frame your professional work. In the meantime, the world of work in 2022 is very different to that in 2019.
-
Go to conferences and professional learning opportunities.
-
Join a professional organisation like Career Educators WA or the Career Development Association of Australia.
-
Keep up with Labour Market Information figures.
We keep being told that we will have lots of jobs and several different industries but the research DOES NOT support this.
We are clinging to what we know and people are NOT changing jobs at a faster rate than we have ever known.
Nor are they trapped in casual jobs, (although that figure may be distorted by labour hire agencies that have workers on their books and outsource them to workplaces, and “self employed” casuals, like Uber drivers).
Network like a Pro
You cannot possibly be an expert in all industries and across all regions.
-
Identify your specialisation and tell others… “I’m an expert in sport careers. If you want to know something ask me”.
-
Tap into the expertise of others so that you can call on them.
-
Join the CDAA WA Facebook page.
-
Come to CDAA WA breakfasts each month. You don’t need to be a CDAA member to attend.
-
Join the CDAA online chat each month. Again, you don’t need to be a member. You can find details on the CDAA Events calendar.
-
Find experts in your region. They may be in the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry or business group.
Listening through the Shock
If you are over 25 you must become conscious of how different your lived experience is to that of young people.
We don’t know how young people are coping with shocks like COVID, war and global warming.
You must develop a deep appreciation of how much things have changed, you must listen, empathise and question until you understand.
Research
Everyone, from the OECD and World Economic Forum, is trying to help people to make rational, data driven career decisions.
There is so much change flickering into view. Career advisors must be able to discriminate between the latest bright, new, shiny thing, and a substantial initiative that could deliver a lifetime of career satisfaction.
Actively study the research. Join mailing lists so that you get regular research updates.
Keep up to speed with what is happening in the world of careers in WA.
Infocus Careers is an independent organisation which is solely supported by insanely great subscribers who share information with me, support each other and help me to pay my bills.
I can talk about careers under water so if you would like to chat about how I can help you to improve your career or the services you deliver, give me a ring on 0434056412 or email me at Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au