Find Your Path With Career Counseling

When you’re little and someone asks you what you want to be when you grow up, it seems like the answer comes so easily — an astronaut, teacher, firefighter, or artist. The possibilities are endless. Over time, your skills and interests take shape, and narrowing down what type of career you could see yourself in becomes easier. But how do you know you’re choosing the path to the most fulfilling and rewarding future? That’s where the support of a career counselor comes in.

Career counseling is a service where a trained professional works with you to identify your interests, skills, values, and personality traits and then help you determine a career path that would be a great fit for you. To learn more about you, your counselor will ask questions and may administer assessments and use that information to guide you toward making informed decisions about your future.

With career counseling, you can expect to:  

• Identify your strengths and weaknesses 
• Gain insight into different industries and careers
• Determine your career goals and map out a plan to achieve them 
• Get help with your job search process, including writing your resume and preparing for interviews
• Receive resources and support for overcoming career-related challenges 

Your career counselor will be a wealth of knowledge as you map out your future, but remember, this is a collaborative effort, and you’re in the driver’s seat. Take control of your future and get the most out of your career counseling by following these tips:

• Be open-minded. You may discover career paths you have not yet considered. Keep an open mind as you explore different options. 
  
• Be honest. Your interests, strengths, weaknesses, and values can play an important role in your career. The more honest you are, the better outcome you will have in career counseling.
  
• Take action. While a career counselor will provide guidance, it’s up to you to be proactive and make decisions about your future. 
  
• Ask questions. This is your time to learn about different industries, careers, and the job search process. Ask a lot of questions—that’s what your career counselor is there for! The more you know, the better equipped you will be to make informed decisions. 

If you need help deciding on a career path or are interested in exploring different options, reach out to a career counselor. Many high schools, colleges, and universities offer career counseling to students, so check with your school to find out what services are available.

There are also dedicated Student Success Coaches who offer comprehensive counseling from the college application process to career planning and interviewing. With their help, you can expect to receive the guidance, support, and resources you need to make smart decisions about your future.

Now’s the time—get out there and find your path!