Oakleigh, Victoria2 Guidance counselors near you

A career counselor, also known as an orientation coach, intervenes in the academic and professional paths of students in middle and high schools as well as universities. Their role is to help students find their path. This profession is closely related to education (secondary and higher) as well as professional integration, and can be learned through various training programs that can take more or less time - generally a university curriculum. To work as a career counselor, it is essential to have social skills, particularly with children. The job requires a great capacity for listening and deep interpersonal skills to be able to assess aptitudes and motivations and instill the latter in students. It also requires a strong background in psychology. Guiding and advising youth requires being able to make proposals that can help them make the best decisions according to their profile. Obviously, it is important to have an in-depth knowledge of the education system and job market to propose suitable solutions. There are several academic paths that can lead to a career counseling position, whether in the educational system or in the workplace. These include obtaining a Bachelor's degree in psychology, a Bachelor's degree in functional management of social and healthcare institutions, an accredited degree in career counseling and psychology, a Bachelor's degree in education, work and training, or a Master's degree in education sciences. Some academic paths are directly related to the National Education system, and successful completion of a related concours can lead to becoming a career counseling psychologist able to work in public school institutions.

The orientation of young people is an important topic since they will be the ones shaping the world of tomorrow. The guidance counselor also assists adolescents and young adults in their post-baccalaureate academic success, their career goals, and their integration into the working world. They also accompany those seeking career changes in finding employment quickly. The orientation coach is motivated by the academic success of middle and high school students and the professional fulfillment of workers. Their role is complementary to that of a psychologist in most cases, as they must be diplomatic and tactful in motivating those they accompany - they may themselves be guidance counselors or psychologists. They assume numerous functions, such as: - Conducting group orientation workshops, particularly for "transition" classes (third and final year), to present study options after middle or high school - orientation sessions accompanied by education counselors; - Meeting with students and parents seeking information on academic coursework - open houses are among the opportunities to meet with a guidance counselor; - Meeting with struggling students to prevent dropout by conducting psychometric testing to assess their abilities and potential weaknesses in order to guide them towards a more suitable field, and help them thrive - personality testing may also be conducted; - Developing and implementing educational projects with teachers and education counselors as well as school psychologists - scheduling adjustments for students, such as vocational discovery hours in their final year of middle school; - Conducting career counseling interviews for recent graduates seeking to find their career path and determine their professional future, such as passing the Sciences-po exam; - Offering individual appointments and orientation services for career changers seeking a skills assessment, returning to higher education, or determining their motivations for pursuing a specific career path.

If some people know from the outset what they want to do with their professional life without any problem, others have not yet found their professional interests and ask themselves many questions about their future. Parents can then administer an orientation test to their children from a young age by asking them what interests them, and gradually guiding them in that direction. However, at a certain age - adolescence - tastes and colors change, and they no longer know where they stand. It is then important to turn to a professional such as a career counselor who can accompany them. With a career counselor, one can benefit from quality support in the search for one's interests and professional path. It allows for a better understanding of oneself - whether in terms of personality or career ambition - and to discover many careers, fields, or paths that one may not have thought of. For a middle or high school student, for example, a career orientation assessment would allow them to have a new approach to educational possibilities, determine the need for private lessons or not, take psychotechnical tests, and more. For someone in career transition, they would have the opportunity to do a skills assessment and improve their self-knowledge in order to make the right decisions. The career counselor plays the role of a skilled psychologist to push them to their limits so that they can know themselves better and choose for themselves and by themselves.

To find a career counselor or an orientation counselor, one can use a directory like StarOfService. It only takes a few clicks to get in touch with many professionals specializing in skills assessments, career reorientation, professional reintegration, and more.

Coaches, consultants, and career advisors may charge hourly or flat rates depending on the needs of each person, but especially on the level of depth required for career guidance. On average, for a student (middle or high school), the hourly rate is around €90. For a recent graduate or a person transitioning careers, the hourly rate is around €100. As for flat rates, these include several interviews with tests, questionnaires, or skills assessments, and start at €200. Some professionals may offer a single individual interview during which they determine if there is a need to follow career guidance sessions - this interview is approximately one hour long and may be free of charge. Career advisors may also offer complete solutions ranging from skills assessments to job market placement.

To choose a career counselor, it is important to adopt a few habits. The first thing to do is to ensure the professional has a good reputation and to check their references on the internet. If it's about academic guidance, it’s important to check that the coach is independent from higher education institutions or private schools to ensure the reliability of their recommendation. Of course, there must be a good rapport between the counselor and the client. The career counselor is there to simplify life by synthesizing all information that is suitable for the client's profile and interests, as well as their job search.

- How does a school or career orientation session take place? - How long have you worked in guidance? - What are your skills and references in the field? - Are there difficulties in orienting certain profiles?