The value of career information advice and guidance in a crisis
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been
discussing the possible impact of COVID19 restrictions with those working in
our sector, colleagues and fellow careers-researchers. We know that what we are
facing at a local, national and global level will have a huge impact on all of
our careers – in our working, learning and personal lives.
What we are going through right now
will bring huge changes to the work we do and the way we do it. It may change
how we value certain roles. It may mean the things we planned to do with our
lives change drastically. There will be people who feel the immediate impacts
of the coronavirus restrictions far more acutely than others.
More widely we need to consider the
impact of the current situation on those around us. This is not a competition
as to who is in most peril or which group is “entitled” to most help. Every
situation is different. We must support others. Work is a huge part
of our lives. Work is money, and so much more. Work is what we build our lives
around, and the loss of work or an unplanned change to work is a huge
transition for any individual.
Chat about supermarket supplies and
not being able to go to the cinema anymore are diversions from the reality
around us right now: people are scared they may lose not only their livelihood
but their passion, their vocation.
Those of us with stability and
flexibility in secure work can likely work from home and our work, in the grand
scheme of things, has required little more than minor, if temporarily
inconvenient, adjustments. We are very, very lucky in this respect, regardless
of what other challenges we might be facing. I reiterate, this is not a
contest; behind the façade of having control over our work we might have many
other personal challenges to consider: our own health, the health of those
close to us.
Check on your friends. They might
not have vocalised their worries to anyone. Ask them how they are coping, how
they are being affected. We will need the support of others, personally and
professionally.
But remember too that career information, advice and
guidance services are not just for young people. This is a perception we need to change. Universities and colleges’ careers advisers and careers consultants offer bespoke advice to students and in our networks, we are responding with access to the very latest information. Schools' careers advisers undertake targetted work with pupils throughout their school years. But there are also publicly and privately funded services out there for adults.
Qualified careers advisers will be
able to signpost appropriate other services, mental health organisations,
welfare support. Here in Scotland we have Skills Development Scotland, and free
to access for all adults is a national network of professional careers advisers
who will have the latest information on opportunities
and support available. We are lucky to have this service. Please
promote it to others to use in the coming, challenging, months ahead. Alongside this, private practitioners offer a wealth of services across the UK. You can find your nearest one using the CDI register of professionals.
Take care of yourselves, and access those who can support you through what is going to be a difficult period for us all.
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