In today’s fast-paced world, with so many demands placed on us from an early age, high school learners may feel overwhelmed when faced to decide on subject choices and thinking about the career they want to follow. It is such a big and important decision, probably having a huge impact on their lives and their future. Everyone tells them how important it is, and everyone has an opinion on the career they have to follow to be successful!

This might cause internal stress, anxiety, uncertainty, and a feeling of failure before these teenagers have even started to make a decision. How can I ensure my child makes the right decision? How can I make the choice easier as a parent or help my child? There is a relatively easy answer – Career assessments, career guidance and career counselling conducted by a professionally trained individual can significantly reduce anxiety and uncertainty and empower him/her to make an informed decision.

During the career assessment process, a candidate’s potential, personality, interests, background, behaviour, thought processing and motivational factors are assessed to form a holistic picture and provide the necessary information for the career guidance and career counselling process. Career guidance has less consultation sessions and are for those who already established a clear identity and have an idea of the possible career direction they want to take. The information will help them to make a decision or to confirm if they have a clear idea of the career they want to follow. Career counselling is a more in-depth consultation process where the individual is assisted to do introspection, get to know themselves better and forming a clear picture for the future. We then identify possible alternatives, and provide in-depth information about the different options of career choices and what those careers looks like in real-life. This enables them to feel at ease and to make an informed decision for their future.

This process starts early in Grade 9 when they must choose their subjects for Grade 10. This is one of the most important decisions they will have to make, as they must ensure they take the correct subjects for the careers they want to enter into post Grade 12. It is important to take into consideration all relevant information before making this decision. So parents, do yourself and your children a huge favour and contact me for an appointment for a career assessment. I leave you with a quote from Steve Jobs, until next time!

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work – and the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking and don’t settle.” –Steve Jobs