Psychologists believe that career guidance should start at a formative stage around the age when children are just entering their teens. The majority opinion during a survey last year at a college in the UK best known for its Engineering programs was that students in class 8 should start thinking about their career aptitude and that class 9 is the best time to take career guidance from some experienced counselor.
Alignment with Interests and Strengths: Career guidance, esp psychometric assessment, helps students identify careers that align with their interests, strengths, and values.
Preventing Mismatches: Without proper guidance, students may choose educational paths or careers that do not suit their skills or interests, leading to frustration and a higher likelihood of career changes later in life.
Informed Decision-Making: Secondary school is a critical time when students begin to make decisions about their future education and career paths. Career guidance helps them make informed choices by providing insights into different career options, the skills required, and the educational pathways that lead to those careers.
Skill Development: Career guidance can help students identify the skills they need to develop for their desired careers. This includes both hard skills, like technical abilities, and soft skills, like communication and teamwork.
Goal Setting: Setting career goals helps students stay motivated and focused on their studies. Career guidance encourages students to set realistic and achievable goals based on their interests, strengths, and the job market.
Career guidance in secondary school is thus, essential for helping students make well-informed decisions, develop relevant skills, and set themselves on a path to a fulfilling and successful career.