Career education isn’t social work and it isn’t psychology, although it could be a bit like fortune telling if you don’t keep up with the changes to career development.
These 5 clear steps will help you to build your capacity to confidently lead students to their best career.
Be an expert
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 the direction of their lives.
Don’t do computer programming. Computers are a passing fad.
1990’s Phys Ed Teacher/Career Advisor to high school student in Geraldton
You have a personal responsibility to be the expert, to KNOW where to look for the right information.
STEP 1: Get a qualification. Join professional organisations. Make sure your skills are current.
Listening
Moore’s Law says the capacity of computers doubles every two years. I think the pace of change is doubling every two years. I look back on 2019 and it seems like ancient history.
You can’t keep up with the changes that every student is experiencing. What they bring to the table in 2021 is going to be vastly different to what you would have expected from a similar student in 2019.
If you bring a deep appreciation of how much things have changed to the table, you will be more able to listen, empathise and question until you understand.
STEP 2: Appreciate the world view of your student.
Research
Everyone, from the OECD and World Economic Forum to teachers writing to parents, 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.
STEP 3: Do the hard yards. Study the research. Go to conferences. Keep up with professional developments.
Tech Tools
I love tech. The latest gadget, app, block chain initiative sends me down rabbit holes for hours.
If you don’t love tech, you need to figure out how to keep up.
- COVID has made video job interviews common. (See How to Build Your Career Online)
- To get to an interview you need to know enough about algorithms to get your application seen by a human. (See How to get your application through to the Keeper.)
- Decide how you are going to manage your micro-credentials online. (See What’s the best way to record your micro credentials?)
STEP 4: Find out about digital career tools at meetings, conferences and workshops.
Collaboration
When I worked in Arnhem Land the whole community worked to support students to find their best career.
We had NorForce (Defence) taking on cadets, unionists working as Master (Electrician) Mentors to would-be apprentices, the principal’s sister in Cairns providing accommodation to an interior design work experience student. Every business in town was willing to take people for work experience. Ex students and community members were mentoring students.
Throughout Western Australia, there is significant goodwill on the table waiting to engage with and support students who want to explore career opportunities and develop knowledge and skills.
STEP 5: Reach out and collaborate with your community, with industry or with the In Focus Careers network to expand the opportunities available to your students.
Deliver Insanely Great Career Education
Keep up to date with the latest career news in Western Australia. Subscribe to the Infocus Careers Newsletter as your first step towards linking to a world of insanely great career ideas.
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
Become part of the network of West Australian professionals who are working to deliver the best career support in the world.
I come across careers information for adults every month as I am putting together the In Focus Careers News for schools. I have collated it in this monthly supplement because so many people have no idea what is available or where to start looking.
I hope it helps you to create a better life for yourself.
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
The Magic Happens Infographic gives a quick guide to visualise the steps in the