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Parents: Empowering Your Child’s Career Decisions

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In India, parents play a significant role in shaping their children’s career choices. Their support can make a huge difference, offering motivation, resources, and a sense of security. At times, without meaning to, parents can unintentionally pressure their children or hold on to career expectations that may not align with the child’s true interests.

That’s why career counseling often involves parents, too. It helps bring everyone, students and parents, on the same page. Finding a path that makes sense for both becomes easier with the correct information and open conversations.

So, if you’re a parent reading this, know that career counseling isn’t just for your child. It’s also a space to learn, ask questions, and feel confident about your child’s future.

Addressing Parental Concerns

It’s natural for parents to be unsure about career counseling, thinking, “I know what’s best for my child.” However, today’s world offers many more career choices, and the paths to success aren’t as clear-cut. While parents have the best intentions, they may not be aware of emerging fields or might push their children into traditional careers out of fear.

Career counseling helps create a partnership: the counselor offers expert guidance on new opportunities, while parents provide insight into their child’s strengths. This collaboration allows the child to make informed decisions. The NEP 2020 emphasizes the importance of involving students and parents in career guidance, helping parents understand why specific recommendations work for their children.

Overcoming the “Doctor/Engineer” Syndrome

For years, careers like doctor, engineer, and civil servant have been the top choices for parents. However, as mentioned earlier, 93% of students today are only aware of these few conventional careers,  missing out on the many other career paths available today. Career counseling helps break these myths by sharing success stories of unconventional careers and showing growth in new industries.

One expert said, “Parents need to understand their child’s strengths before choosing a career.” Instead of forcing a career choice, it’s better first to identify the child’s talents and find a career that suits them. Counseling helps parents see objective assessments of their child, often revealing surprising strengths. This shift in perspective leads to a more supportive and motivating environment, with parents guiding their children’s dreams instead of dictating them.

Being a Supportive Guide

Career counseling helps parents understand how to support their child’s career journey. Instead of pushing for a quick decision, parents can encourage exploration, like attending summer programs or meeting professionals.

A 2025 guide for parents found that 65% of Indian students feel pressured when choosing a career, often due to parental expectations. The guide advises parents to be “a guiding light instead of a forceful push.”

This means listening to your child, asking questions, and helping them explore options. Some counseling programs even offer workshops for parents to support their child’s choices. Key advice includes: don’t impose your unfulfilled dreams, don’t dismiss new careers, and celebrate your child’s talents while supporting their passions.

Success Story: From Skeptic to Believer

Rajesh wanted his son Aditya to pursue the Indian Civil Services, but Aditya was passionate about films. After counseling, Rajesh supported Aditya’s interest and helped him enroll in a filmmaking course instead of IAS coaching. Aditya eventually built a career in media and landed a job at a top production house. Rajesh admitted it was the right choice.

The lesson: Before insisting on a path, explore options. A career counselor can help parents see potential in new fields, making them less risky.

Parents often question the value of career counseling and psychometric tests, asking, “Can an aptitude test tell what my child should do?” While not perfect, these tools uncover hidden patterns and preferences. When combined with a counselor’s expertise, they offer solid guidance. Many parents see it as empowering their child with better information, not someone else’s decision.

It’s like consulting a doctor: you trust a trained professional for a proper diagnosis. Similarly, a career counselor can better assess your child’s strengths than online advice.

Career counseling also helps families plan practical steps like exams, college applications, and financial planning, reducing anxiety by providing a clear roadmap. Supporting the child’s path is easier when parents and counselors work together.

In the end, career counseling helps parents align their hopes with their child’s happiness, turning pressure into support. One teacher said it helps kids “dream big and plan smart.”

Career Counselling as a National Priority (NEP 2020 Perspective)

It’s important to note that career guidance is now part of India’s national education vision. The NEP 2020 highlights the need for structured counseling in schools to better prepare students for the future: a significant shift from the past when such support was often missing.

Key NEP 2020 Recommendations on Career Guidance:

1. Institutionalising Counselling in Schools:

NEP 2020 recommends that every school or school group have access to counselors, making career and psychosocial guidance a formal part of education. It even suggests shared counselors for multiple schools where needed. The goal is clear: move beyond relying solely on teachers or parents and build a trained, dedicated counseling system within schools.

2. Starting Young and Early Interventions:

NEP 2020 stresses the need for early career and academic counseling, starting from middle school. This helps students make informed subject choices in secondary school. The policy also highlights teaching kids that people can have multiple careers, so adaptability is key. Building career awareness and flexibility early in a student’s journey is smart.

3. Holistic and Inclusive Guidance:

NEP 2020 sees career counseling as part of overall student growth, not just course selection. It connects guidance with mental health, life skills, confidence, and adaptability. The policy also clarifies that counseling must be inclusive, supporting girls, students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and those with disabilities. Counseling becomes more supportive and fair for all by addressing career choices and emotional pressures.

4. Integration into Curriculum and Experiential Learning:

NEP 2020 recommends making career guidance part of the school timetable, not just an extra activity. It encourages hands-on learning through internships, projects, and career weeks where students can explore real jobs. Counselors help connect classroom lessons to real-world careers. The policy also supports using technology and online tools to expand access, especially in rural areas.

5. Accessible Guidance Resources:

To support NEP 2020, the government launched the “Career Guidance Handbook-500 Careers” in 2024. It includes 500 career cards with job details, qualifications, and growth paths, helping students make informed choices. Designed for use by teachers and counselors, it brings career information to school libraries and counseling rooms, even in remote areas, so that every student gets equal access to guidance.

Considering the above, Career Counselling is Not a Luxury But a Necessity:

Career counseling is now seen as essential, not optional. NEP 2020 clarifies that structured guidance is key to India’s future. With such a young population, the career choices of today’s students will shape the country tomorrow. The policy warns that a “shocking lack of awareness” could waste this opportunity. If everyone chases the same few careers, many will be left out, leading to frustration and underemployment.

Why Institutional Counselling Matters

Proper counseling helps students find careers that match their skills, not just popular ones. This benefits both the individual and the country. It turns potential into real progress by guiding youth into many meaningful careers.

  • Bridging Gaps and Challenges: There are still hurdles. One major issue is the shortage of trained counselors – there are only around 5,000 certified counselors for the 1.4 million students graduating each year. To fix this, training programs and technology (like AI tools) are being used to expand the reach and support existing counselors.
  • Tech is Helping: A survey by the IC3 Institute found that many counselors in India use tech tools to reduce workload and reach more students. Online platforms are beneficial in areas without counselors.
  • Schools Need to Step Up: Another challenge is getting schools and colleges to take this seriously. But change is happening. Schools that have tried proper counseling report better student confidence and improved academics because students understand the “why” behind their learning.

What You Can Do

Ask your school about counseling support if you’re a student or parent. If there’s no system yet, you can push for one. NEP 2020 backs your request. The goal is to make career counseling available to every student, not just those who can afford private help.

Looking Ahead

Once this becomes the norm, we’ll see a more skilled, confident, and creative generation; they had the proper guidance early on.

Overcoming Myths and Concerns about Career Counselling

Despite the clear benefits, some people remain unsure about career counseling. Addressing a few myths and concerns often circulating among students, parents, and professionals is essential. Let’s debunk them with facts:

Myth 1: “I can get all the advice I need from family, friends, or the internet.”

Reality: Family and friends know you well but may lack the expertise or objectivity to make career decisions. Their advice can be based on personal experience, while online information is often too general and not tailored to you.

A trained career counselor offers expert tools, market insights, and objective guidance, matching your strengths with the right opportunities. They often involve parents or mentors, ensuring everyone works with the correct information.

Myth 2: “Career counseling is only for students or those who have no clue what to do. I’m already a working adult; I don’t need it.”

Reality: Career counseling isn’t just for students or the uncertain; it’s for anyone seeking clarity or growth. Top performers benefit from it when planning their next steps or career shifts. It’s about knowing what to do and how to grow at any stage.

Today, nearly 90% of professionals are open to new roles, so if you’re considering a change, you’re not alone – and there’s no harm in getting expert help.

Myth 3: “Counsellors will force me (or my child) into a particular career, or they have a one-size-fits-all formula.”

Reality: A good career counselor won’t choose for you – they help you choose wisely. They suggest options based on your strengths and interests using tests and conversations. You make the final call, with backup plans and pros/cons laid out clearly. Counseling is tailored, not one-size-fits-all. The goal is to empower the student, not decide for them. 

One career platform CEO pointed out that it’s also about helping parents and teachers support the student. If a counselor pushes a course or college without reason, that’s a red flag. Always look for certified, unbiased professionals.

Myth 4: “It’s too expensive and only for the elite.”

Reality: Career coaching can be expensive, especially in big cities, with prices ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹20,000 per session. However, things are changing. 

Online tools and AI make career guidance more accessible and affordable, even in smaller towns. Many schools now offer it under NEP 2020. For low-cost options, also explore NGOs, government centers, or group workshops.

Don’t let cost stop you from seeking guidance; career mistakes can be far more costly than wasted time or tuition. Counseling is an investment in your future, and with more public-funded programs emerging, it’s becoming accessible to everyone.

Myth 5: “I already know what I want to do, so I don’t need counseling.”

Reality: Confident in your career choice? That’s great, but counseling still helps. It can confirm your path, strengthen your profile, and clarify the next steps. Even the surest plans benefit from expert insight or correction early on. One counseling session can improve your plan or save you from potential mistakes –  it’s a win-win!

In dispelling these myths, the core message is that career counseling is a supportive tool, not a directive mandate. Career counseling doesn’t replace your choices – it supports them. Like coaching or tutoring, it guides you through today’s complex options. Start small: attend a seminar, take a free test, or talk to a counselor. Career counseling is about empowerment, giving you the best shot at a satisfying career. One teacher said, “It’s the guidance they needed to dream big and plan smart.”

A Call to Action: Take Charge of Your Future

You’ve seen why career counseling matters; now it’s time to act on it. No matter who you are, a student, graduate, working professional, or parent, there’s a step you can take today to move toward a brighter, well-guided future. Here’s a practical call to action for each group:

For Students (School Age)

Don’t wait for college; start exploring careers now. Use school counseling, take career assessments, and attend workshops or fairs. If resources are limited, try online tools. Talk to your parents and seek mentors. Early steps help you choose the right subjects and plan your future wisely.

For College Students and Fresh Graduates

Now’s the time to get career counseling if you haven’t already. Visit your campus career center for help with specializations, job prep, or further studies. Unsure of your path? Talk to a counselor or mentor, and connect with alumni for advice. If you’re prepping for exams, explore backup plans too. Don’t drift after graduation; have a clear strategy, and let career counseling guide the way.

For Working Professionals

Take charge of your career. Connect with a coach or mentor if you feel stuck or want a change. Check if your company offers development programs or invests in career counseling. Audit your skills, fill gaps with training, and talk to people in roles you admire. Don’t settle; plan your next move and take action.

For Parents

Support your child’s career journey early by asking about their interests, not dictating choices. Connect them with professionals, attend seminars together, and stay informed. Most importantly, they show pride in who they are, not just their chosen path. Be a partner, not a supervisor. Attend a career counseling session together in high school to explore possibilities. Please support them in trying out workshops, internships, or volunteer work to gain real-world exposure.

No matter who you are, seeking information, guidance, and action is key. Career counseling is a powerful tool, but it requires your active participation. The best results come when you’re open to learning about yourself and the world of work.

Career planning should be ongoing. For students, start early and adjust your plans as you grow. Professionals should revisit their goals and upskill regularly. As parents, stay informed and support your child’s development.

Career counseling is your map, but you must walk the path. Take the first step: book a session, start a conversation, or use free resources. With the proper guidance, confusion turns to clarity, and aspirations become achievements. As the saying goes, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

Empower yourself and the next generation by making informed career choices. The journey to success starts now.

I offer a comprehensive career counseling session that evaluates students’ abilities, interests, and learning habits through scientific assessments. Many students and graduates have benefited from this. Book a session at AVIJIT.IN.

Sources:

Avijit Patra

July 2, 2025

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