*bookmarks thread*

I'm taking a career counseling class this summer. I'll get back to you with recommendations then. :-)

Maybe the first question would be -- what are you looking for? Do you want to change fields, figure out a way to sell your skills better in your current field, something else entirely? There are tests like the Strong Interest inventory and the Myers-Briggs that are fairly standard tests that most people would take to know what fields might suit their personalities, which I think kind of stays on the therapy-counseling side; if that's what you're interested in finding out, then you'd probably want a counselor with more of a therapy-type background.

If you wanted to know more about how to sell yourself better, someone with more of an HR background might be more helpful.

But those are kind of guesses.

Thanks, occhiblu.

Yeah, I'm definitely looking to switch fields. My problem is that I've got a limited skill set and no degree.

Wait, that's two problems. I don't do math well, either...

Three. I have three problems.

No, bmarkey, from a holistic perspective those could all be considered the same problem.

I used a career counselor once. After all the testing and interviews, it all boiled down to one question: What do you really want to do?

I've used career counsellor, and (loathe as I am to use sports metaphors) I'd call it a "solid base hit".

Did about 8 sessions. Started out with Myers-Briggs, which I've done a number of times since the age of 12 or so. I already knew my MBTI "type", (INFP, aka I Never Finish Projects, fwiw) but the value-add was the perspective of how my type tends to fit into the workplace, and how some of my interests did/didn't fit with my various off-the-wall ideas for new isomers of my existing career.

For example: I was interested in being a "Sales Engineer" - The techie-type who tags along with the set-of-steak-knives, golf-playing, smiling person when selling IT stuff.. Counsellor pointed out that I'd be required to push our products even when I knew that we'd be the worst possible solution to the problem the customer describes, and that would not match well with my idealistic-nerd personality.

Other value-adds: Resume rewriting & editing, and direct advice on interviewing strategery, etc.

In the end, I got the best job of my life, mostly as a function of dumb luck, but I think the counsellor helped get my head in the right place to be able to firmly grab the brass ring when it floated by.

If you think of it as hiring a very well-seasoned sounding-board, it makes sense. Be honest - your (parents/spouse/girlf/boyf/dog/goldfish) will listen to your career ambitions and uncertainties and will give you unconditional love in return, but they may not have the discerning eye and ear for calling your B.S., and they won't be able to give you honest feedback & encouragement about your good ideas.. and that's where the counsellor comes in.