Career Development Professionals – Sorting the Chaff from the Wheat

Career Development is a large umbrella or net that draws together a myriad of Career Services occupations and brands them together in one category with the purposes of facilitating and empowering a client in the exploration, development and management of their career over the course of their career life cycle.

WHAT OCCUPATIONS FALL UNDER CAREER DEVELOPMENT ?

There are a multitude of Career Service occupations that fall under the Career Development banner including: –

  • Career Advisor
  • Career Coach
  • Career Consultant
  • Career Counsellor
  • Career Development Expert
  • Career Development Practitioner
  • Career Guidance Officer
  • Career Management Consultant
  • Employment Counsellor
  • Guidance Officer
  • Job Developer
  • Placement Co-ordinator
  • Vocational Counsellor
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor
  • Work Experience Co-ordinator

As illustrated above, there are many occupations that fall under the umbrella of Career Development; which in ones’ opinion can potentially cause clients a great deal of stress trying to determine who is the appropriate service provider for me.

SOURCING CAREER DEVELOPMENT SERVICE PROVIDERS

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Career Counselling: – Is your Career Counsellor legitimate?

I remember back in the early 2000’s when I first started my practice (then called HR Aspects) and commenced market research to compare and contrast my expertise and experiences with competitors of the time; the internet was still in it’s infancy and very few organisations advertised on Google.

Fast forward 15+ years and there are hundreds and thousands of career providers spruiking their services on Google alone claiming to be a Career Counsellor, Career Coach, Professional Resume Writer, Career Development Consultant, Specialist or Expert. Quite frankly, for the average individual looking for someone to help them with their career related queries or concerns it is very confusing – how can you possibly sort out what services you need and want if Continue reading “Career Counselling: – Is your Career Counsellor legitimate?”

Career Counselling: – IF ONLY I…… STOP the Regrets and start pursuing your dreams

If you could be or do anything in this life what would you do or be.  As children we have so many dreams about what we will do, be and become when we grow up but somewhere between childhood and adulthood our dreams become squashed, buried deep, hidden away or totally pulled apart and reworked because they do not fit our loved ones or societies view of who we should be.

So my question to you is:-

“What dreams have you buried or given up on that would bring you fulfillment, happiness and joy”?

Do not place any limitations on yourself such as if I only had a million dollars in the bank and did not have to worry about bills, the mortgage, school fees etc I would be or do xxxxxxxx.

Find a way of incorporating your dreams into your life it maybe that you start small for example you may have always wanted to start your own small business; start doing some research, enrol in a small business course, talk to people who work in the industry and have already set up their own small businesses.

By focusing on what you want (big picture) and taking positive small steps to incorporate aspects of the big picture into your life you will eventually see the realisation of your dreams.

Find the peace, contentment, fulfilment, happiness and joy that you have been searching for.  It is YOUR LIFE after all – You deserve to be HAPPY, content and fulfilled.  So take a risk, follow your dreams and be the best person you can be.  Life is too short for mediocrity.

 

Workplace Counselling: Yippee it’s Friday! – Addressing Job Dissatisfaction

How many times have you found yourself uttering these words?  Or perhaps you have found yourself counting the days to the end of the week or year.

These cognitions (thoughts) are indeed a major sign of job dissatisfaction.  However, Blu Ripples main question to you is “Why are you dissatisfied in your work”?

Is it because you experiencing: – Continue reading “Workplace Counselling: Yippee it’s Friday! – Addressing Job Dissatisfaction”

Career Counselling: Career Identification & Exploration- Help for Parents with Teenagers

CAREER COUNSELLING FOR TEENAGERS

Blu Ripples – We help parents discuss and explore career options and career pathways with their teenagers

Blu Ripples Founder, Katherine Foster, 2010

On contemplation of this article ones mind wonders back to a conversation one had with a local elderly resident a couple of years ago.

The resident stated to the author that

to make a child successful in their professional and personal life that the parents “needed to teach their child all manner of things” from “feeling the grass between their toes to experiencing travel and all life has to offer”.

Port Stephens elderly resident’s conversation with Katherine Foster – Blu Ripples Founder
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