Career guidance methods: writing, passion maps, and setaform associative maps

Contents:

• How did career guidance tests appear?
• Why have tests lost popularity?
• What career guidance tools exist besides tests?

When people choose a profession, the first thing they often do is turn to career guidance tests. These tests seem simple and quick, but often they do not provide useful information, but rather cause doubt and confusion. We will discuss the reasons for this phenomenon and what alternative career guidance methods can be more effective with career guidance specialist Veronika Vinokurova.

Psychologist and career guidance specialist, co-founder of the international school of career choice "Point B", offers professional consultations on career growth and career choice. Our school helps people take a conscious approach to their professional development and find suitable career paths. We offer individual and group lessons that help identify strengths and interests and develop a strategy for achieving your goals. Join us for a successful career choice and career development.

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How Did Career Guidance Tests Come About?

The first career guidance test was developed in the United States in 1909. Since then, most tests in this field have had a similar format: they are lists of multiple-choice questions from which you must select the most appropriate answer. This simplicity has contributed to their widespread popularity worldwide. In Russia, the first career guidance test was developed by Soviet psychologist Alexander Luria in 1926. Since then, career guidance tests have become an important tool for helping people choose a profession and career, adapting to the changing demands of the labor market.

At the beginning of the 20th century, career guidance was perceived as a necessity only for schoolchildren who wanted to choose the right university. The tests were administered in classrooms, where students completed questionnaires while seated close to one another. The teacher quickly checked the results and provided feedback. This process was organized en masse, which reduced the individual approach to each student. However, over time, it became clear that career guidance is relevant not only for schoolchildren but also for students, adults, and even those changing careers. Effective career guidance helps not only in choosing an educational institution but also in shaping a career, taking into account personal interests and market demands. In today's environment, the importance of an individual approach to career guidance has increased, making it a necessary element of the educational process.

In the past, individual career guidance was not widespread. In cities, there were only one or two higher education institutions with a limited choice of departments. The job of a career guidance specialist was to select the most suitable educational institution for a graduate. Given the lack of educational opportunities, the importance of career guidance was obvious, but its implementation left much to be desired. The development of career guidance services has become a necessity in the modern world, where the choice of profession and educational path plays a key role in a successful career.

Why have tests lost popularity?

The labor market today is significantly more diverse than it was a hundred years ago, and continues to evolve. Every year, new professions emerge, while some become less relevant. Classic tests developed two decades ago no longer meet modern requirements, as they may suggest you become a computer operator—a profession that is now outdated. It's important to monitor trends and adapt to changes to meet the demands of the modern labor market.

Modern professions are difficult to categorize into a single subject area. For example, a surgeon today actively uses technology, and a philologist collaborates with a designer to create texts for applications. This complicates the classification of professions into "humanities," "technical," or "creative," and also complicates the career guidance process based on traditional divisions. In a rapidly changing labor market, it is important to consider interdisciplinary skills and the flexibility of professions, making the need for career guidance even more pressing.

With the development of the internet, career guidance tests have received a new lease of life thanks to the possibility of automation. Today, it's easy to find an online test, take it, and gain new insights about your interests and abilities. However, choosing a profession that truly matches your passions is not enough. Test results may not match your expectations and self-image, which can lead to further confusion. It is important to remember that tests are only a tool to be used in conjunction with introspection and practical experience.

Tests contain many interesting questions, but a limited and narrow set of answers can make it difficult to correctly interpret the results. On the rare occasions when I use test results with a client, I always begin with the question: "Does this result resonate with you? Does it reflect your true self?" This helps to understand to what extent the test truly conveys the individual characteristics and needs of the client, and ultimately allows for more effective use of the obtained data for further work.

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Career guidance is a process that helps people identify their professional interests and suitable careers. It plays a key role in career choice, especially for adults who are faced with the need to change careers or develop in a new field. Career guidance includes an assessment of skills, interests, and values, which allows people to better understand which professions match their personal qualities. This not only promotes a more informed career choice but also helps avoid disappointment and failure in the future. In a rapidly changing labor market, it is important to consider not only current trends but also personal preferences, making career guidance relevant for all age groups. Thus, career guidance contributes to increased job satisfaction and career advancement, ensuring a harmonious combination of personal goals and professional opportunities.

What career guidance tools exist besides tests?

There are five key tools that can significantly simplify the career choice process. These tools help you identify your personal preferences, skills, and interests, making your choices more meaningful and purposeful. Using these methods can increase your chances of a successful career and job satisfaction.

This is one of the most effective ways to determine what job is right for you. Set aside 30-40 minutes, prepare a few sheets of paper and a pen, and then write down answers to several sets of questions. This will help you gain a deeper understanding of your preferences, strengths, and professional interests. This approach promotes an awareness of your career goals and can serve as the basis for further searching for a job that matches your expectations and skills.

• What are your interests? What do you enjoy doing in your free time? What do you enjoy spending your energy on?
• What activities do you enjoy? Do you enjoy being creative, organizing events, communicating with other people? Or, for example, reading and writing, or doing repairs and construction? Or solving complex problems in your head?
• What experience do you already have? What about this experience do you dissatisfy? What would you like to change?
• What are your main requirements for your future job? How much do you want to earn? Remote work or an office? Independent work or in a team? A government agency or a business? A corporation or a startup?
• What resources do you have for moving into a new field? Do you have a financial cushion? Or will you need to work and simultaneously study a new specialty? How many hours a week can you spend on training—and how long, therefore, will the entire period of training in a new profession approximately take?

Take a sheet of paper and colored pencils or markers. In the center of the sheet, draw the main topic you want to discuss—"My Interests." Then create 6-10 branches, labeling each of them with your passion. From each passion, draw additional branches and indicate on them professions that may correspond to your interests. This method will help you visualize your passions and explore possible career paths that align with your interests.

If you're passionate about mountain hiking, you might consider a number of careers related to this activity. This could include working as a guide for a hiking group, where you can share your knowledge of nature and trails. Another interesting role might be leading a hiking club at an educational institution, where you'll teach students the basics of hiking and mountain safety. Being a travel blogger offers the opportunity to share your experiences and experiences with a wider audience, which can lead to collaborations with brands and companies. Furthermore, a mountain equipment consultant can help people choose the right gear for their hikes, and a mountain shop owner can offer quality products and services that meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts. These careers not only align with your passion but can also bring satisfaction and a stable income.

Career guidance methods primarily answer two key questions: «Who am I?» and "What do I expect from my work?" One effective tool for finding answers to these questions is metaphorical association cards (MAC). These cards can be purchased at specialized stores or found online. MACards promote deep self-reflection and help identify personal values ​​and professional interests, making them a valuable resource for people seeking their place in the world of work.

MACards are a set of cards with images, which serve as a starting point for discussing your personal qualities and future career needs. The most effective way to work with such cards is to collaborate with a professional, such as a psychologist or career guidance specialist. However, you can also try exploring your inner attitudes and desires on your own. Below is a brief guide to help you with this process.

First, choose a quiet place where you will not be distracted. Then, look at the cards, paying attention to those that evoke particular emotions or associations in you. Try to analyze what these cards reveal about your qualities, interests, and possible career paths. Write down your thoughts and observations to better understand yourself and your aspirations. Discussing your results with loved ones or a professional can help deepen the analysis and gain new insights.

• Blindly draw 3-5 cards depicting professions.
• Imagine yourself in these professional fields. Describe where you believe you would be successful and where you would not be, and why. What skills and qualities would be useful in these professions, and which would be a hindrance?
• Answer the following questions. How does your chart make you feel? How does what is shown on the chart correspond to what is happening in your current professional life? Is there anything in the chart that irritates you about your current profession? Which of these would you like to change? What on the chart is attractive to you professionally?

Analyzing your values ​​and key qualities is an important step in determining your preferences in future professional activities. This will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of what is important to you in work and will help you choose a career path that aligns with your beliefs and goals. Understanding your inner guidelines helps you make more informed choices and increases your likelihood of job satisfaction.