My Career Voyage! Charting The Course

Patty E. Shaver
MCV Career Development Facilitator

After attending a recent workshop, I was reminded of a very important skill all career services professionals should possess. Listening.

First of all, the workshop leader spoke mostly to one person in the group rather than focusing his time on each person equally. Even though he said he wanted to learn more about me, when he did ask questions, he quickly began to respond without having enough information to go on. Without this untold information he was going on quick, inaccurate assumptions and providing me with faulty advice and comments that were totally off. I felt unheard.

During a break, a group participant/observer from another career services group and I were talking. I shared a little personal information with him about my situation and career goal. He asked a couple of questions, but didn't listen for enough information before he blurted out what I should do. Again, I felt unheard.

Both men did not listen to me in order to get the whole story before offering their well-intentioned advice. I left that workshop feeling somewhat discouraged rather than feeling encouraged. I felt like I didn't get anything out of the workshop and that it was a waste of time. As I thought about what had transpired that day, I realized I actually did gain something from this experience that will serve as a reminder to me as I pursue my career in career services. Listen... truly listen to clients before offering guidance. Its not up to career services professionals to solve clients' problems. Clients are the ones to choose their career course.

Qualified Career Development Professionals
Career development professionals serve as career counselors, coaches, career development facilitators, employment specialists, outplacement professionals, and many other roles. They work in career centers, schools, government agencies, employment agencies, and private agencies. Non-profit organizations and church groups are recruiting volunteers to assist displaced workers with career services, such as job seeker groups, networking groups and career transition groups. Many volunteers are experienced in their field, others may have little or no training at all.

Career counselor is one with a minimum of masters degree and is licensed in counseling. Career coaches, career development facilitators and employment specialists, cannot counsel clients or administer certain career assessments or tests. They can perform many other career services depending on their training. Career Development Facilitators and coaches must be certified after obtaining specified educational and training requirements. A career development professional's training is an ongoing process requiring recertification or license renewal. When choosing a career professional, always check their credentials and find out what professional memberships they possess and verify them if in doubt.

Many career services professionals volunteer their time assisting non-profit agencies with career development and job seeking activities. Every career services program should provide adequate training to under qualified volunteers. Training should include where to find career information and resources and how to use and interpret self-assessments, how to explore careers, where and how to access labor market information, how and where to network, how to research target companies, resume and cover letter preparation and critique, how to prepare for an interview and job offer and how to manage a career after accepting the job. Many career services professionals may focus on one area of expertise. Professionals and volunteers should only perform work in which they are qualified to do, referring clients to more qualified professionals when necessary.

A career specialist is responsible for

• following a code of ethics, and ensuring client confidentiality
  
• guiding and assisting the client with career decisions, never telling the client what he/she should do. The decision is always the client’s to make
  
• acquiring excellent interpersonal skills
  
• understanding and respecting people of diverse populations
  
• forming a helping relationship with the client
  
• understanding career development theory and its application
  
• understanding the role of assessment and how information can be found and used in career planning
  
• staying up-to-date with computer-based systems
  
• knowledge of job-seeking and employability skills
  
• understanding how to instruct and lead groups
  
• designing and implementing career planning services

The most important skill a career services professional can possess is listening.