Holistic Career Counseling: Guiding Students to Informed College and Career Choices to Help Maximize Degree ROI
In an ideal world, young people have the luxury of using the undergraduate college experience to explore as many interests as possible, free from the worry of cost and the ticking of the degree completion clock. However, in the real world, college is expensive. Adding an extra semester or fifth year to a standard degree – or earning a degree that makes it hard to support oneself – is simply not an option for most. While this does NOT imply that young people can’t explore various interests (in fact, they should), it does suggest that the process should start before college. Helping students define and articulate interests is a logical component of the college admissions process, one that promotes a sense of personal agency and direction: critical attributes for those hoping to thrive in college, graduate on time, and achieve personal and professional goals.
💡Expert Tip: An important measure of college readiness is congruence between intended major and long-term goals.
Why Holistic Career Counseling?
Research shows that certain types of people are attracted to and find fulfillment in certain professions. Holistic career counseling is an approach that considers the entire person and his/her/their life experiences. By addressing an individual’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual priorities, values, goals, and overall well-being, holistic career counseling launches people on fulfilling professional trajectories.
According to the National Wellness Institute, there are Six Dimensions of Wellness: Emotional, Occupational, Physical, Social, Intellectual, and Spiritual. While career counseling addresses the occupational dimension, holistic career counseling equally prioritizes the other five dimensions to help people find harmony and, ultimately, fulfillment.
💡Expert Tip: It is unlikely that a career meeting one’s intellectual needs – but conflicting with social, value, and emotional needs – will result in fulfillment.
The Case for Including Holistic Career Counseling in the College Admissions Process
Since college is the gateway to adulthood and supporting oneself, it is logical that where to attend college should be informed by post-graduation goals (e.g., career and/or graduate school). Making a college list without a sense of purpose or direction beyond “go to college” is illogical. Given that college counselors typically help students make college lists, incorporating interest and career counseling makes sense.
How Can High School Students Gain a Sense of Professional Direction?
Spending time learning about oneself and how that translates into positive professional opportunities is a simple way for young people to discover meaningful academic and professional interests. Students without access to qualified holistic career counselors can follow the FOUR steps below to help narrow down college major and professional preferences.
ONE: Take a free Myers Briggs Personality Test to learn about personality
TWO: Take a free Holland Code Career Test to access a list of potential good-fit careers
💡Expert Tip: Ask yourself: “What motivates me? What are my values? How much time do I want to spend in school? What interests me? How much money do I hope to earn?”
THREE: Explore.
Learn more about careers that sound appealing. Importantly, know the education and/or certifications required, salary range, and career outlook. Understanding how potential college majors and careers fit with aspirations helps identify majors.
💡Expert Tip: Use O-Net’s My Next Move, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Handbook, and professional associations.
FOUR: Get the Inside Scoop.
After learning about majors and careers of interest, talk to people in the field. It is one thing to read about jobs and another to hear about jobs from the people doing them. Speaking with people about their own professional experiences and journeys will help students understand what majors to consider if they have a specific career in mind.
💡Expert Tip: Conduct informational interviews with professionals and shadow people who have jobs you are interested in.
If you or someone you know could benefit from working with a certified holistic career counselor to ensure college selection is congruent with major and career aspirations, help ensure a positive return on college investment, and reduce the stress and anxiety associated with the college admissions process, please reach out to kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com.
0 Comments