In its 2030 vision, the University of Portsmouth wants to give every student a life-changing experience. Helping students make a successful transition from higher education into a career that is right for them is undoubtedly a life-changing contribution that they can make. However, the question is, ‘How can they do that?’
Before we can answer that question, I think we need to walk in our students’ shoes and understand the challenges they face when considering career opportunities for students in Ohio and how they can get there. The first challenge is that the world is complicated: there are many different careers and sectors to work in, so how do you start to generate career ideas and narrow them down to the right fit for any individual?
Understanding career choices, experience and opportunities
The first is about making an informed choice about a career that is right for them, which entails understanding oneself and knowing what careers are out there—second helping them to gain experience and develop their ability to pass commonly used selection tasks within their chosen career. Third, helping them find as well as apply for suitable opportunities. Ideally, we would have interventions that target the challenges students have to overcome to attain a career that is right for them.
The benefits of having a career mentor
You were meeting with someone more experienced in this field than you can be intimidating. It is even more nerve-wracking to admit you don’t know as much as you’d like about your future career. Take a deep breath and then focus on the different positive aspects of connecting with a mentor. After finding someone who fits your personality and learning style, you’ll experience the fantastic benefits and better define your professional journey ahead.
Gain job experience or alike
Research shows that employers mostly want experienced applicants who can solve problems in real-time. You’ll be able to communicate and work much more effectively than the other applicants if you’ve spent time in your specific field under the guidance of a mentor. Besides a competitive applicant, the hands-on experience will help you understand if you’ve selected the right career path or need to switch majors.
Get personalized advice
Anyone can look up for information about a job online. You’ll find vacant positions that describe the role’s responsibilities, but there’s nothing like getting the in-depth details from someone currently working for your dream job. You’ll be able to ask your counsellor questions about their strengths and the weaknesses and what they would’ve done differently at your age. Your career will develop in a much more accessible way through the lens of their wisdom.
You’ll receive unbiased opinions
Your family and friends want the best for you, but their advices can sometimes be biased. They may want you to may be live closer to home or tell you something little inaccurate because they would wish rather you work a different job. Your career mentor can approach your conversations from the perspective of a boss or a coworker to give you the best shot at having a successful career and the honest opinions about your goals.
How do you find a care counsellor/mentor?
There are a few ways to look for a career mentor in college. First, start applying for jobs, the internships, or volunteer opportunities related to your career choices of interest. You’ll need to meet people in that field and can find a mentor organically. You can also contact your school’s career center to ask if they can provide a list of people who want to volunteer their time. Students seeking mentorship for career can also attend networking events on school campus to form lasting relationships with those leaders who work in your potential field.
Choose Checking Out Career Paths With Chaz
Checking Out Career Paths with Chaz is a career guidance tool that can guide students to understand which career path is right for them and also what learning, training, or courses need to be undertaken to follow that particular career path.
Checking Out Learning Styles with Chaz is one of three assessment tools bundled in a career path program, Checking Out Career Paths with Chaz. Understanding how a student learns the best is one step in helping that student become productive and successful. This program is a self-discovery tool for guiding secondary students toward possible careers. It can be given individually to a student or in a group setting with students. Using the lesson plans with detailed instructions, a counsellor, a teacher, a parent, or a paraprofessional can guide a student through activities in the assessment. Visit https://checkingoutcareerpaths.com/.