Why Career Counseling Matters During Adolescence
Adolescence can be a time of great joy and discovery. Even though teenagers are often overcommitted while attending school, working a part-time job, and taking part in sports and social activities, they have more leisure time and disposable income than their parents. In today’s quickly changing modern world, there are many more choices for travel, leisure, education, and careers than ever before.
Career counseling helps young people navigate these expanding opportunities without feeling overwhelmed. While having many choices can be exciting, determining a future path can feel daunting without guidance and support.
How Career Counseling Helps Teens Begin Career Exploration
If a young person is uncertain about how to start career exploration, career counseling provides structured tools and guidance to help clarify interests, strengths, and values. First, I recommend checking with the school counseling office to see if career testing and/or college planning materials are available. By narrowing down possible career interests to more focused options, it is easier to then plan trips to tour viable colleges.
College vs. Trade School
Career counseling helps teens evaluate education options based on aptitude, personality, and long-term goals.
For example, if a young person enjoys working with the public, has a strong work ethic, is creative, and can work autonomously, perhaps pursuing training to be a cosmetologist at a trade school would be an option. Trade schools are a great option for those individuals who would like to receive specialized training without extra academic coursework. Many hands-on jobs, such as automotive work and welding, pay very well in comparison to the cost of training.
On the other hand, for a highly organized individual who is artistic and enjoys working with children, he/she may enjoy entering the teaching profession, for which a bachelor’s degree and specific certification is required.
If a less formal career search is preferred, job shadowing opportunities, career fairs, and tours of local businesses may also yield insight into the level of interest one may have in a particular profession. A young person may also consider holding an informal interview with adult family members or friends to learn more about interesting careers, such as becoming a mortician, optician, or magician.
A Personal Perspective on Career Counseling & Nonlinear Career Paths
Career counseling helps individuals develop adaptability, transferable skills, and confidence to pivot when needed.
In all honesty, my career path was shaped, in part, by hearing an ad on WCSG for Cornerstone University, and after many months of research, prayer, and introspection, I determined to return to school to receive my Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling. I found Trauma work to be so beneficial and life-changing, that I pursued this as my concentration.
Career Counseling in a Rapidly Changing Workforce
Although some individuals know early on that they have a natural ability in a particular area and will follow a more linear career path, others, such as myself, find traveling a career path to be more rewarding and invigorating.
It is also true that the work world has changed significantly, and it is no longer expected that a person will stay at one job for the duration of his working years. Due in part to the changing dynamics of technology, many careers that previous generations found to be profitable no longer exist, and new fields and positions are opening at lightning speed. Those who are able to pivot to fill these roles may find it to be a profitable and challenging experience.
Career counseling helps individuals develop adaptability, transferable skills, and confidence to pivot when needed.
Is Career Counseling Only for College-Bound Individuals?
This is not to say that every individual has to enter a career training program or earn a college degree. Factory work and entry level jobs are also beneficial for building financial stability while a person explores his/her interests on a deeper level. This path may allow for more flexibility to pursue leisure activities and/or other goals outside of the work environment, such as working as a coach for a children’s sports team or ministry opportunities.
Career counseling helps individuals weigh earning potential alongside lifestyle preferences, job satisfaction, and personal values.
Career Counseling, Education, and Earning Potential
However, it is worth mentioning that according to the National Center for Educational Statistics, those persons holding a bachelor’s degree made approximately 59% more than those with only a high school education, based on data from 2022. According to the same report, a person with a Master’s Degree or higher would likely earn around 20% more than those with a four-year degree.
Please be aware that this is a broad generalization, as the rate of pay varies greatly with the career selected, with those working in finance and engineering earning far more than those serving in civic and public service roles.
Using Online Job Tools in Career Counseling
While word of mouth and “who you know” are still the top sources of job referrals and recruitment no matter what a person’s level of education or training, there are many job search platforms online, such as ZipRecruiter and Indeed. These sites may also yield insight into available jobs, training required, and rate of pay offered for many careers, both local and nationwide.
How Career Counseling Supports Mental Health and Life Purpose
If you would like assistance in career assessment, planning, and exploration, career counseling services can provide clarity, direction, and confidence.
A strong sense of purpose positively impacts mental health at every stage of life. Whether planning a first career, navigating a transition, or preparing for retirement, career counseling supports meaningful and goal-oriented living. It is our desire as counselors to help our clients meet their goals, at any stage of life!
If you would like help in the area of career counseling, please schedule an appointment with one of the counselors at White Oak Counseling & Recovery. Our number is 269-205-2402 or you can contact us online.
Brenda Gonyou MA, LLPC
