Know yourself, know your career path
Local counselling psychologist gives advice to school-leavers.
A Roodepoort-based counselling psychologist, Ushmita Nana, has offered Grade 12 learners some career guidance advice in these crucial months leading up to their final examinations.
According to Ushmita, a career decision has far-reaching consequences in terms of job satisfaction, future employability and quality of life. She indicated that it can be experienced as a stressful and daunting time for learners and parents alike.
Psychometric testing, in the form of a career assessment, can help improve self-understanding and alleviate some of the anxiety associated with having to make a life-long career decision. The assessment process is holistic in that it includes an evaluation of the learner’s skill-sets, interests, values and personality traits. Findings within these domains are integrated to inform career recommendations.
Accurate self-understanding is considered to be a key component of the career decision-making process. Ushmita suggested that learners explore their responses to questions such as the following:
- What are my strengths, skills, and talents?
- What are my values and motivating factors?
- Would I prefer to work with objects and machinery or with people?
- What type of work environment would I enjoy; i.e. a planned and structured work environment ,or one which allows for creativity and spontaneity?
- What comes easily to me that others tend to struggle with?
In addition to self-exploration, Ushmita advised learners to include an evaluation of potential job markets in the decision-making process. She highlighted the importance of being aware of the professions which are in demand and career fields which may be saturated, and further recommended that learners also research job requirements and employment opportunities in foreign markets.
For further information on career and subject choice assessments, please contact Ushmita Nana (Counselling Psychologist) on 071 685 4902. Alternatively, bookings can be made via the following email address: ushmitanana@gmail.com.
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