Selecting an appropriate career path can be one of the most daunting decisions in one’s life. We spend a great deal of time and effort on the job, and consequently, it is important to choose a career that will be engaging and satisfying. To make data-based decisions which help move toward higher levels of satisfaction, individuals can benefit from various forms of career guidance. During college or in the early career stages, young adults can sometimes have difficulty determining an appropriate major or employment path to pursue, and can profit from professional guidance from our consultants to provide them with some direction. During middle age, some of our clients opt to make career changes, and benefit from assistance figuring out how best to apply their skills to a new profession. Finally, as they approach retirement, various leaders with whom we work seek guidance to help them strategize about how best to utilize their abilities for the duration of their post-work years. All of our vocational guidance services draw on objective data, providing our clients with fine-tuned career recommendations, delivered in a supportive and empathic environment. Please read below for a more in-depth explanation of our vocational guidance services.
Higher Education and Early Career Direction
Although the vast majority of our consulting work is with organizations, our psychologists also work with high school, college, and graduate students to help them plan their career and future goals. Evidence shows that more and more high school students are entering college without clearly defined career objectives. As a result, many students experience uncertainty when the time comes to select a major. Confusion about future direction can also result in a prolonged college experience, which, in turn, can cause unnecessary expense. Here are some statistics to illustrate the extent of the issue.
- 80% of college-bound students do not know what their major should be.1
- 50% of college students change their major multiple times, which often extends college beyond 4 years.1
How it works
PERSONALITY
WORK
INTERESTS
We measure dominant personality trails and preferences, such as self-reliance and tolerance for ambiguilty
A student's best college major and career path options are found in the overlap between interests and personality.
We measure interests and investigate the relationships between an individual's interests and those of professionals working in specific fields.
Ideal Career
Students gain knowledge skills, and abilities through their educational experiences.
An individual's ideal career is then found in the common area between interests, personality, and knowledge/ skills/ abilities.
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ABILITIES
PERSONALITY
WORK INTERESTS
What Does an Ideal Career Look Like?
Our Process
- Initial phone consultation
- Online testing of interests and personality
- In-person assessment with a licensed psychologistkonsultant
- In-person feedback session with your child to explain the results
- Final debrief with child and parent(s)
Q: How do you differ from our school's guidance counselor?
A: Our advice is individually-tailored, based on psychological principles, and offers a wealth of details about potential career paths. We measure both personality and interests to determine the optimal career choices. We also interact daily with professionals in organizations and have inside knowledge on a variety of industries.
Who We Are Not
- High School Counselors
Wears not exclusively focused on your child's interests. We also work to match your child's skills and personality with a career that will be interesting and fulfilling.
- Recruiters
We will not make any job or internship placements.
- College Counselors
We do not have alliances or partnerships with any particular college or university.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you provide vocational guidance exclusively for high school and college students,
A: No We aLso cons. with individual, on career transitions or post-relprement optIons
Q: What is the youngest age you would consider working with,
A: Although we will work with high schooL sophomores, junior year is the hest lime to start seriously thinking about college a. career direchone
Q: what kinds of students have you worked with?
A: We have assessed students from high schools such as Pace Academy, Westminster School., Wheeler, Lakeside, and Mari.. College students in the past have come from The University ol Pennsylvania, UNC Chapel Hill, Emory University, Georgia Tech, Agnes Scott, Columbia, Cornell, and The University of Georgia, to narne a few,
Mid-Career Changes
Because individuals grow and develop across the life span, what seems right or fulfilling at one age may not seem that way at another age. Thus, the career path that may have been an excellent fit for someone in his or her twenties, might be less satisfying or engaging in mid-career. Alternately, many of the leaders with whom we work are ready for new challenges as they approach the later parts of their work lives. While they may have directed their talents and abilities in one direction previously, they may come to a point at which they have a desire to employ their skills in other ways. Through our career transition services, we help individuals find fulfilling ways to apply their talents in new careers that are well suited to their personality, interests, and skill sets. Because in our general consulting work, our psychologists interact with clients in a variety of roles and industries, we are able to draw on our experience to help our clients select meaningful jobs with pinpoint accuracy for the next phases of their lives.
How it works
PERSONALITY TRAILS
INTERESTS
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
PRACTICAL CONCERNS
Personality is analized by various measures. These show dominant personality trails and preferences.
We measure interests and examine the relationships between an individual's interests and those of a professional working in the specific field.
We strive to find appropriate career paths that will enable individuals to apply the skills and knowledge they have already developed.
We take into account practical considerations such as desired lifestyle and income.
An individual's best career or post-career options are found in the overlap between interests and personality.
Our process
- Initial phone consultation
- Online testing of interests and personality
- In-person assessent with a Licensed psychologist
- Follow-up in-person feedback session to explain results
- Client received comprehensive written report with recommendations for alternatives that best fits his or her personality, interest, a. skills
- Psychologist remains available for follow-up and additional guestmns as they come up in the future
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it ever too late to start this process?
A: No, whether you are Just starting out, Looking to change careers, or deciding what to do after you formally retire, our vocational. guidance services can rneet your needs.
Q: Will you help me to obtain a job?
A: No. We will provide you with information on several specific occupations for which you would be a good fit. We do not assist with job ptacement; however, we can give you some ideas about strategies you might employ to pursue various career paths.
Retirement Planning
We work with many individuals who are approaching retirement, but still wish to lead an active and productive life during their “next chapter.” We find that fewer people aim for a “traditional” retirement; instead, they choose to continue to work in some realm, whether in a conventional work setting or by pursuing some avocational interest that allows them to leverage the skills they spent so many years honing. Thus, we also consult with individuals to help them find a new direction after they officially “retire” from their primary careers.
1 Ronan, G.B. (2005). College freshmen face major dilemma: Indecision about courses of study can prove expensive. Retrieved August 23, 2006, from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10154383/print/1/displaymode/1098
Please call us at 404/577-1178 to discuss how we can assist you with this service.
