BANGALORE: With the forthcoming admissions in the country, a large number of institutions are taking up vast number of courses for the fresh batch. This action thereby proves favorable for career counselors who are making huge profits in guiding students through career parts, reports DNA.

"We have seen a significant increase in the number of students and parents coming to us these days for career-related counseling," said Shailja Mulay, a Mahim-based career and education counselor. "The head count has gone up nearly two-fold in the last five years," she added.

Career assessment has gained prominence over the years and is likely to further up the ladder with the rise in courses and the stiff competition in all fields. This trend established in Mumbai has led to the functioning of over 100 counseling centers in one city alone however only a meager number of around 10 are said to be qualified counselors-cum-psychiatrists in this case a fee ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 is set depending on the professionalism of the counselor.

"Most class 10 students are not able to decide what career to opt for. They postpone the decision until the time they are filling forms for higher studies. The reasons for this are lack of maturity and exposure. They think that only a professional can help them choose the right course and thus don't pay much heed to the advice of their parents.” said Bhavika Jain, the mother of a 10th grader who sent her son for a career guidance test.

Albeit there are a large percentage of the students who are aware of what their career ambitions are they remain clueless as to which college offers the right courses in the chosen field.  This eventually leads the demand for Career counselors who in their expertise select the course and institute for the youngsters. Hence a large number of parents and students opt for parents and students counselors to point them in the fields that are most advisable and provides the best earning prospects.

Nevertheless, on the downside with the increasing trend of career counseling, a number of under-qualified people have also managed to enter the field. Thereby ill advising and leaving parents and students are more baffled than ever.

"A popular career counseling centre advised my daughter to choose the science stream for her HSC, as this would keep the door open for other options in future. Similar advice was given to her three friends as well, though at least two of them wanted to explore commerce and arts. This was strange and made us suspicious about their test methods," said a parent who had to send her child to another centre for a second opinion.

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