We have, over the last two weeks, looked at some career challenges faced by tertiary level students and how to deal with them through career planning and advising. The areas have included career uncertainty, and accessing career information and development programmes on campus. This week we focus on the economic, technological and socio-cultural challenges they face.

Economic and technological challenges

The economic situation in the Caribbean is such that there is a high degree of competition for jobs. This competition has been heightened by the Internet, which allows for online recruitment and thus the global selection of staff. Employers expect and require new graduates to have work experience, and be multi-skilled and flexible.

Students must therefore be prepared to create their own employment even as they seek to meet the demands of prospective employers.

They need also to develop skills and competencies for survival in the world of work, and to develop a thorough appreciation for lifelong learning.

The economic situation has, meanwhile, forced some individuals to postpone tertiary-level training, and enter the workforce at a lower level. Others are forced to discontinue their tertiary-level education until a later date, while trying to access funds. Still others have opted for their second choice of career since the first is not available locally and would be too expensive to pursue overseas.

Career specialists, in responding to these challenges, must ensure that students are equipped to survive in the competitive job market. Programmes, such as part-time and summer employment, as well as internships will help to give students knowledge of the world of work. It will also build their self-confidence.

World of work seminars will help to give them the additional skills and competencies needed to complement their academic achievements, while they become aware of employers’ expectations. Students should also be guided on how to successfully plan and organise a job search, how to accept a job, how to refuse one, and how to maintain self-confidence.

Socio-cultural challenges

The socio-cultural challenges affecting students include their pursuit of careers dictated by their parents, without thought to what they want or their particular strengths and weaknesses. There are others who refuse to go into areas they like because they are traditionally considered to be of low status and or attract a low pay.

To a lesser extent, there are those students who opt out of pursuing a particualr career path because of perceived gender bias. While there may a demand for male nurses, for example, males generally do not consider this career option since they may run the risk of being criticised.

Some of these challenges are best dealt with on an individual basis, through career counselling. Building self-esteem and recognising the worth of individuals are areas that can be discussed. Examining students’ interests and helping with self-identity and decision-making skills should also help.

Getting students to do a self-assessment, which identifies their interests, skills, abilities and values, and then aligning them to career objectives will also help them to make informed career decisions rather than relying totally on the decisions or suggestions of their parents and or peers.

Students are faced with many challenges in preparing for a career. It is the responsibility of the career counsellor to become aware of these challenges and in responding, develop and deliver programmes to meet their needs.

Merrit Henry is career counsellor and students services manager at the Placement and Career Services Unit, UWI, Mona.