“The longest and thus most important phase is career spanning highest 40 years and thus very crucial for a fruitful, enjoyable and productive life. That is why it is imperative for students/parents to seek professional help and guidance in the form of career counselling”
–by Brijesh Parikh
Brijesh Prarikh (Brijesh) is the Owner-Promoter of Planet Vidya group of Institutes. He says that a person spends most of their life in their Career phase so the selection of right career can lead to a fruitful life in an interview with Amarjeet Sharma.
Amarjeet Sharma (AS): Please brief us about your Educational background.
Brijesh: I have done B.Sc – Physics, BA- Journalism and MassCom and MBA. I am also qualified Personal Financial Planner and Coach and have passed National Institute of Securities Market ( NISM)’s Personal Financial Advisor Level-1 and Level-2 both exams.
AS: What has your time as a Career Counsellor meant to you personally and why?
Brijesh: It is most rewarding time as I enjoy and feel pride while helping a career seeker to help decide one of the most important decision of life.
AS: How did you get into Career Counselling? What interested you into Career Counselling?
Brijesh: Being an Edupreneur for more than 2 decades, I have faced many students / Professionals/ parents with many confusions and misinformation who opted to seek guidance from me. In the process of guidance I got immense satisfaction and pride thus got interested in career counselling.
AS: Which tools do you use for guiding careers?
Brijesh: Various psychological tests such as Multiple Intelligence, Career Anchors, MBTI etc.
Have a question regarding your career ?
AS: Why do you think it’s important for students and parents to undergo Career Counselling together?
Brijesh: According to me an Individual’s life is divided into 3 phases: Investing/Equipping phase – approx. 20 yrs, Career phase – Next 40 years ( Considering 60 yr as retirement) and Retired life – Last 20 years ( Considering life expectancy of 80 yrs). The longest and thus most important phase is career spanning highest 40 years and thus very crucial for a fruitful, enjoyable and productive life. That is why it is imperative for students/parents to seek professional help and guidance in the form of career counselling.
AS: What are the top 3-5 skills you should have to become an effective Career Counsellor?
Brijesh:
- Active Listening: It’s very crucial to listen to aspiration verbal and non verbal both in order to guide them properly.
- Probing: It is equally important to dig career aspirant (Student and Parents) to understand their aspirations fully by asking questions.
- Empathy, Rudimentary Knowledge of Human Psychology.
AS: What is your advice for newbies, who are looking at building a career in Career Counselling industry?
Brijesh: It requires both knowledge of various careers old and new one / Upcoming both as also about understanding aspirations of students and parents alike. So take formal training as well as gain experience both in order to be successful.
AS: There are many new career options that have come up over the last decade which was not heard of before, how do you stay updated on the latest trends in Career?
Brijesh: Various Online media
AS: Which are the Career Information resources (i.e. newsletters/ blogs/ websites/ apps) you visit regularly?
Brijesh: I am a regular reader of newspapers like Education Times (TOI), The Economic Times, magazines, rediff, MBAClubIndia, MBAUniverse, CareerIndia, etc.
AS: Would you like to share few words/suggestions about the work we are doing at CareerGuide?
Brijesh: A one stop solution and end to end ecosystem for all career related queries. A very high end educated panel members encompassing different fields in the form of career counsellors.
Have a question regarding your career ?
