Expert: Torski Dobson-Arnold - 2/11/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi, could you advise me on where to find a career advisor who's non biased to really sift through the pros and cons of choosing a career and the best avenue to pursue it. Every resource I find has a sales pitch attatched to it.

I just want some direction and fast.

ANSWER: Gene,

I am a career coach and I an under the impression that all career coaches should assist their job seekers where they are in helping them craft a career direction that is a best fit for them, not for me.  

When you mention a "sales pitch', please specify what you mean?  Are you talking to admissions reps that work for a particular school or training center?  I am not sure how to assist you here as I do not have enough information to determine what you are referring to.

I know it is not much, but I do hope this information sheds light on your issue.

Claiming nothing but success in all of your career endeavors,

Torski
-The Career Confidence Coach

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes, it's been admissions reps from vo tech schools and training centers. Career Coach, that's exactly what I'm looking for. Where could I find one?

Answer
Gene,

Now I better understand your situation.  Where these folks have a title of "Career Adviser", their roles include that of recruitment and admissions and many work specifically to attract and recruitment new students to their respective schools and training centers.  Where in many cases, it could be a great opportunity, it may not be the best opportunity for you.

I would seek out the professional services of a true career counselor or career coach.  Here is the difference.  A career counselor, like those in high schools and colleges, can work with you on a "no-fee" basis, particularly if you have graduated from a particular high school or college.  There are also career counselors within state's workforce development centers all across the US right now that can assist you in the completion of a career assessment, test your skills where you are right now and then offer various career clusters (or directions) that you could pursue given your interests, current skill level, and background.  Then there are coaches, like myself.  The focus with a coach is that we start at the client's here and now.  The focus is not on how you got here nor what you have done wrong or right at this point.  We work with clients to develop a game plan of action, set daily, weekly, and monthly goals and hold you accountability to do the work and research (with guidance, of course) to set a new career direction for yourself.

As a career coach, my services are not FREE and would require a monetary commitment from the client, whereas those that work in workforce centers, high schools and colleges fees' are paid for by those entities through their salaries.

If you are interested in securing a career coach, I am available, and we can talk offline further OR I would suggest searching for a career coach through CDI (Career Director's International), a group I belong to, if you want to seek someone in your area.

I do hope this helps!

Torski
-The Career Confidence Coach