Hello! Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me today.
It’s my pleasure. Thank you for having me.
To start off, can you tell me a bit about your background and what inspired you to become a guidance counselor?
After I earned my master’s in Commerce and Business Management in 2014, I delved into advisory work. At university, I was an active member of the student council, and I quickly realized my love for working with individuals. Meeting many young minds helped me discover my passion for career counseling.
Wow, well then, how long have you been helping students with career guidance?
It’s been a decade since I started working in the industry. I do have multiple experiences, like engaging with the US consulate and multiple UK universities. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with ADEK.
That’s amazing! My next question to you is, what do you enjoy most about your role at our school?
The students! And seeing their bright smiles in the morning every day. It’s something that I really look forward to!
And what about the questions students usually come to you with? I’m curious about the most common ones you encounter.
I think the most common concern that every student has is “how do I navigate or plan my future?” I do agree it’s a very challenging aspect, but we are the best judges of ourselves. If they sit down and talk to themselves and understand where their interests lie, that will help them answer their most challenging questions.
That makes a lot of sense. But we all know planning for the future can feel overwhelming, so how early should students start thinking about their upcoming careers?
Definitely grade 11, it’s the right time to start looking at a lot of aspects. It’s the year that allows them sufficient time to prepare for their prerequisite tests. Also, it gives them ample opportunities to explore universities, maybe meet them in person or virtually.
Got it. So, looking at the seniors now, what’s one piece of advice you’d give them?
Oh, do your networking to the maximum! You don’t know the power of networking. It’s very, very essential to stay connected not only with peers but also professors. They hold a lot of value and importance in the real world.
That’s a great point! Finally, if you could go back to your own school days, what career advice would you give yourself?
How I wish I could go back to my school days! I think back then, I was beating myself up for not knowing maths and science. And I’ll be really honest, I wasn’t the best at them. I think in our current society, each student should focus on their strengths instead of dwelling on their weaknesses. They can achieve far more than if they tried to be perfect at everything.
I completely agree! Well, that’s it. Thank you so much for sharing your insights with me today. It’s been a pleasure talking to you!
Thank you as well! I’m always happy to support my students however I can.