How can career practitioners upskill?
It varies from industry to industry but in many occupations, there are countless opportunities for career advancement through seminars, short courses, in-house training and mentorships. However, career advisors are limited in their ability to access these resources due to lack of time (most schools only employ one person to cater to all students) and financial restrictions (budgets for career education are generally tight). That being said, there are still multiple ways career practitioners can build their skillset and improve in their role.
Get career advice – from a career advisor
It sounds like a bit of an oxymoron – does a career advisor need, well, a career advisor? To avoid confusion, let’s rephrase: does a career advisor need a career coach? As much as it might seem like a leftfield suggestion, it could also be a great way to rejuvenate and look at the role with fresh eyes. It could mean approaching someone from a different sector – perhaps a high school advisor reaching out to a career practitioner who specialises in adult education and picking their brain about the techniques and strategies they use.
Ask for feedback from students
Considering so much of a career advisor’s role is centred around communicating with students, it makes sense to find out what they like and dislike about your approach. There might be something simple you can adjust to help students become more engaged, or suggestions on how to structure classes to encourage more interaction.
Take advantage of the internet
You no longer need to go back to university to formally upskill. Simply jump onto Google and visit one of the various websites that provide short courses in countless areas, many of which are applicable to career advisors. Sites like Udemy and edX not only offer cost-effective courses on career coaching but also on applicable topics such as interviewing, personal networking and leadership.
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