It is my privilege to share the experience of conducting online and offline career counseling sessions for the children of BOSCH employees.
The journey began with a rigorous selection process among my classmates, and being chosen as a student career counselor filled me with immense joy. Soon after, we were tasked with providing these crucial sessions. We initiated contact personally, introducing ourselves and educating both parents and children about the process and importance of career counseling. The exceptional cooperation and enthusiasm shown by the parents and their children were truly respected and admired, which significantly boosted our confidence. We then began the online sessions, where we administered initial psychometric assessments.
On December 7th, we had the opportunity to travel to Bengaluru for the final, offline session, accompanied by our esteemed Head of Department, Dr. Archana K Bhat, and Assistant Professors, Mr. Manjunath and Ms. Keerthana Vyas.
I am delighted to share the, experience of the offline sessions and the remarkable cooperation and hospitality extended to us by the BOSCH coordinators and head. The afternoon session was expertly managed by our professors, who administered a few more key assessments. Simultaneously, Dr. Archana K Bhat engaged the parents with an insightful session on the importance of effective parenting. This was followed by a brief but crucial discussion where student coordinators (including myself), alongside our professors, shared the assessment results with the parents and children.
The final phase of the career counseling program involved the crucial discussion of the psychometric assessment results. These results, which covered ability, interest, emotional intelligence, personality, internet usage, and sensation-seeking attitudes, were meticulously analyzed to generate three distinct categories of career recommendations: the best-fit career options aligned directly with the child’s assessed strengths, skill-based training options for careers achievable through prior skill-based education or training, and finally, careers not recommended, which are options fundamentally incompatible with the child’s profile. These customized recommendations were then presented to both the children and their parents, empowering them to make a final choice guided by the child’s ongoing interest.
Approaching and delivering this multifaceted information to two different generations children and their parents was truly a unique challenge and a profound learning opportunity for us as student counselors. The most significant aspect of this phase was the delicate task of bridging the gap between parental opinion and the child’s intrinsic interest. It took all of our interpersonal and psychological resources to bring these two points of view together into a single choice. This demanding process is precisely where we acquired and refine the crucial skill of approaching clients across different age groups and effectively managing complex family dynamics, a foundational competency for any practicing psychologist. We learned that effective counseling is not just about data interpretation, but about facilitating consensus and ensuring that the final career path is both informed by psychology and embraced by the individual.
Our professors truly encouraged us, offering valuable inputs and guidance for directing both the parents and students toward informed decisions. I sincerely admire the support and cooperation of every BOSCH employee and their children, and I extend special gratitude to my own clients. I was deeply touched when the parent of one of my clients requested our contact details, intending to approach their daughter’s school to arrange more informative and awareness programs.
My kind and heartfelt respect and gratitude go out to Mr. Joshi and the program coordinator, Mr. Harshith, at BOSCH, as well as to our supportive HOD and professors. This opportunity underscores the crucial role that such experiences play in our lives by marking a significant beginning, growth, and milestone.
Thank you to one and all who immensely supported us throughout this rewarding program!
- Khushi V Hiremath,
Student Counsellor,
Department of Psychology,
Kateel Ashok Pai Memorial College, Shivamogga.
Post a Comment