Help for Careers Advisers, Teachers and Parents - Do you really know the student?

When it comes to giving advice to students on the subject of careers, Career Advisors are well aware of the influence that parents and peers have on the choices that students make. For over 20 years I was a Career Adviser at a secondary school in NSW and behind my desk I had a large poster that read: “HELP, I’m a prisoner of my family’s aspirations!”

Surveys confirm the result of students choosing a job that is “not them”. Over 70% of university graduates do not take up a job in which they graduated or majored in and according to SEEK, 68% of Australian employees are looking for a new job on a daily or weekly basis. Only 37% of employees surveyed said that they were “happy” in the job.

It’s not enough to listen to what the student tells you or even what subjects they are good at, to help advise them on a career pathway. You need to know who they are as a person and what personality traits they have.

The three fundamental questions are:

1. what they’re good at

2. what they’re passionate about and

3. does their personality suit the job

When these three drivers line up you can be reasonably certain that you are directing your students on a career path that will bring out their natural gifts and talents as well as reward and recognise their achievements.

I also know that most students find it difficult to write about themselves but when it comes to getting a job that’s exactly what is required.

How can a student find out who they are and which career paths their personality style is best matched to?

How can you as Careers Adviser assist students in processing and acting upon this information?

Launched in 2008 MyCareerMatch offers Careers Advisers a web based solution for students to complete a personal profile in less than 15 minutes. The report outlines the student’s strengths and values, a wide band of career choices and delivers valuable content they can add to their resume. In addition there are further links to assist students to further explore career options.

MyCareerMatch also offers Career Advisers a number of resources including an electronic PDF student workbook to do follow-up work with students using their report.

Parents are provided with a report that explains why their child behaves the way they do and how they can create a more positive climate at home to help and encourage them.

Contact us for further information.