As the todays and tomorrows become more demanding and complicated, we see that each one of us needs to seek guidance and avail counselling. This is especially the case in the employment market. Ample people require guidance and counselling, especially to fit into the puzzle of today's world and to prepare for later.
Fitting into this complex equation is also something that needs preparation, as not all things fit so easily. For fitting in, it is mandatory that an item can be accommodated into the set available spaces. In order to get into it, the whole puzzle must be within a conceptual visualization shared by each of us so that we can select the empty spots that possibly match our fit.
The puzzle depends mostly upon the trends of the time, the demands that are sought, and the supplies that can be given or provided against such demands. However, just meeting the needs and delivering it is not all. There are changes in pattern and this gives more dimensions to the complexity of the times, making the puzzle harder to both interpret and to match with.
Why have things changed since the times of generation X? The world is more competitive and each person is striving hard to make ends meet in the midst of difficult times. They are trying hard to fit into the model of the todays and tomorrows. The demands are more calculated, derived from data centric tools which are supported by appropriate MIS's and stats. Therefore more focal qualities are sought after and meeting such requirements will provide the available pieces. There is also less scope for exaggeration as compared to before.
Where does guidance and counselling come in? Actually, it is indirectly related. It works more as a catalyst towards change and as accommodation to the changes. This helps to meet the needs of the time.
How so? Well, the answer is that the changes in market demands and the necessities of the time need to be made aware to all through adequate counselling and other channels. Concurrently guidance will need to be availed or sought, specifically when a personality assessment needs to be made to touch upon individual core competency, including variables such as the person's confidence, fears, likes, dislikes, individual capabilities, etc. We need to groom a person to meet the demands in order for them to fit.
A person must be made aware of how to present themselves in an interview appropriately and fully prepared with mechanisms of approaches to win over the person(s) on the other side of the table. We always feel that we are right and doing the right thing. However, that is mostly wrong. Self-confidence has its advantages, but it also has a bad side to it. We must always learn from others who may help us to prepare ourselves for these sessions through some trial runs and mechanisms.
Preparation for an interview is only one form of guidance. One has to take into consideration that soft skills, mannerisms, approaches, dress habits, attitudes, will all need to be touched upon, especially when overall presentation is considered. Helping to prepare also works as a form of guidance towards a rightful destination for a person to eventually be accepted in the appropriate place in the puzzle.
Nobody is expected to be a fully polished person and ready to fit into a specific job description or requirements. However, if a person does get appropriate guidance from childhood many things can be touched upon quite early on. This is not something limited to the person only, it is something that the parents and the teachers must also be made to understand both in urban and rural areas. The needs in rural areas are particularly high, but we cannot limit it to them only. Many parents develop preconceived notions in today's established world which are also not appropriate. That is why another person should always be consulted to seek proper advice from.
We see that this benefits more than 90% of those who are wishing to avail guidance and counselling. We in Bangladesh need it more because the children face a surreal world where they unfortunately derive conclusions from their limited understanding or surroundings paving the way for chaos, career-wise. Even if a person is not seeking guidance academically, the same is also applicable when he or she is availing appropriate skills outside of studies.
Even a know-it-all makes mistakes, especially when they do not go into matters in depth and especially if interactive psychology is not applied. They must have a better understanding of the needs of the times, and these are considerations for the person who is providing guidance as a sort of mentor or role model.
This is conceptually a major challenge when national demands need to be met. However, with the hopes and aspirations of the many, it is an achievable feat. To do so, positivity, dedication, will, and commitment, along with determination, are all required.
In the end, it is a team effort on a massive scale. This is because the singular roadmap needs to be a universal concept to achieve. Availing guidance and counselling is an epitome of massive development and a bastion for mega growth.
Waleed Morshed is a Consultant (Process Re-Engineering, HR, IT Presales, ESG, ERP, Finance, BFSI, Project Management, Audit, Academic & Career Counsellor), Institutional Advisor, & Entrepreneur.