laptop with careers on it
Career Counselling

Should I study or take a year off to work after school finishes?

  • What do I study? How do I pick between all these courses?
  • Do I actually enjoy my course or working in this job/field?
  • Why is it taking me so long to find a new job and landing my ideal role?

These are all normal questions to ask yourself and even more challenging decisions to make, no matter how old you are.

The New Work Order (FYA, 2015) report shared that the average 15-year-old is predicted to have 17 jobs over 5 different careers throughout their life.

Yup, you read that right. 17 jobs over 5 different careers

The world of work has been changing, and COVID-19 has made that happen more rapidly, with many jobs of today expected to no longer exist by 2030. Gone are the days where you are expected to spend the next 20 years in the same job. Along with that, Careers Counselling is evolving too. It’s not just about doing a bunch of aptitude tests that will tell you your ideal profession.

Imagine being at the steering wheel of a car. If you’re entirely new to driving (choosing further study, finding a job), this can be pretty scary. There are just so many things to know, learn and do all at the same time. If you have your license and are more experienced, you’re still likely to feel confused or stressed in challenging conditions or when driving in an unfamiliar location. You may panic and not know which way to go and may get lost. And yes, if you have Google Maps or a GPS on, then you will be ok.

When you begin life, your internal careers GPS is influenced by parents/carers, peers, school, and media, to name a few. This can get pretty confusing sometimes and impact your decision-making ability. That’s where Careers Counselling can support you further,  using approaches like narrative therapy, solution-focused and design thinking interventions.

Research shows these approaches encourage people to tell their stories and design their version of a successful life, find a sense of purpose and hope, and make meaningful contributions. It can also help to improve your resilience and adaptability to make you more employable and find your next job.

 

written by Michelle Hartnett

If you’re interested in careers counselling contact us to find out how you can effectively problem-solve your study or work concerns

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