The Advantages of Career Counseling and What to Consider Before Consulting a Career Counselor

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Every year, many thousands of people undertake, or think about undertaking, some form of career counseling. In fact, it could run into millions, given the number of internet searches done each month on career counseling. Reasons for that could be:

a. Starting out on a career after being a student,

b. A career change for older and mid life adults,

c. An adult in a career has been unable to progress and needs advice on jump starting their stalled career,

plus other possible reasons. But what are the advantages of having career counseling sessions?

Advantages of Career Counseling

There can be many advantages of career counseling, but much will depend on the experience, training and understanding of the counselor. If it is an in-school career counselor who does the job a few hours a month, because the head teacher tells him or her to, then the benefits could be very limited. On the other hand, if it is a professionally trained career counselor who has years of experience, then there can be the following advantages at least:

1. As in independent and experienced advisor, the counselor should be able to put your situation, personality, qualifications, experience and abilities into a broad perspective. This should help you find your own position and direction in your career.

2. A trained counselor will be expert in getting the right information out of you in a structured way. The counselor will then be able to use that information promptly, coupled with their intuitive assessment of you as as a person and your likely best career course.

3. An experienced career counselor will have a lot of knowledge and experience of various employment markets. This means the counselor will see the other side of the career coin, with which you may be unfamiliar, and this can help you a great deal. They should also have much experience on the way human resources departments and recruiters work.

4. If you are considering a career change the experience of the counselor could be invaluable, in view of the complexities, both practical and personal, of the decision you are considering.

5. Having somebody objective and assured will help to give you confidence when making a decision on your future career course.

6. The counselor may be able to offer or recommend various career coaching courses that could be of help to you.

Where to Go For Career Counseling

The growth of the career counseling business over recent years has made it much easier to find good quality career counseling services. Today, there are not just your local services that are an option, but also online career coaching and counseling services, with a wealth of information about jobs and career related subjects.

If you are still at school, college or university, then they may be able to offer you a useful service within the establishment, or point you in the right direction outside. You can also search online and find many options. There is not necessarily a need to meet face to face, although there is an advantage to having a face to face meeting, as the counselor is more likely to assess you more accurately during a personal meeting.

When choosing a career counselor, it is best to compare the experience, services and cost of several; if you can find one near you, all the better, but bear in mind that a structured approach is used by professional counselors, and much of that can be done effectively online and by telephone. It is best not to spend any money until you are comfortable with every aspect of what the counseling service offers.

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Eclectic Bohemian Design and Furniture

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Bohemian eclectic decor is an unique personal statement deriving inspiration from a variety of cultures and a broad spectrum of vintage spaces. A curated space that is based purely on true imagination that knows no boundaries and seeks no approval is truly eclectic boho style. Antiques and furniture that are art, unique artisan crafted statement furniture livens up each room as you travel through the house.

Eclectic mix of colors and textures seen in antique doors from India and the carved barn doors instantly brighten up a space that was earlier dull and boring. Embellished tapesteries and sheer sari curtains, mix various patterns and textures in a bold eclectic bohemian statement. The distressed aged wood cabinets, studded with metals, and old door sideboard media consoles give the free spirited vibes to the home.

Bohemian style is not for those who like neutral tones. Vibrant colors of the turquoise coffee tables or the ochre yellow carved cabinet must be added to your space. Mix brightly colored Indian carved barndoors of Krishna and Ganesha adding the old world charm, connecting with old traditions and energies. Each corner of the room is vibrant with love and color and the level of energy in the room is exuberant with happiness.

A beautiful handcarved swing sits in the living room under high ceilings, surrounded by tall plants. Design as you would with energies that take you beyond the normal. Arches and custom carved doors give bold statement to the doorways. Make a picture collage with your favorite items and frame it with an old window carved eleborately and intricately in paisleys and florals. The haveli door with horse shoes and a beautiful carved header with fishes and chakra is the masterpiece statement architectural design that leads into the library. Create an eclectic bohemian statement with all of your family pictures hung in a custom carved wall frame.

Canopies made from sari curtains and patchwork accent plllows energize the bedroom. Play around with the custom made kamasutra headboard in different colors, and textures adding layers of depth with fabrics. Crystals and plants along with larger carved wood cabinets in hues of soft green and peach give the room a masterful touch of bohemian charm. Your home is a paradise of eclectic curated art and architecture vibrating with your personal style.

Fall in love with the Jaipur Om door and build a room around it, taking what it offers, all the time and people it has seen and experienced, bringing it all together to add a new dimension of energy. Bonding with the temple sculpture of Shiva Parvati, a tremendously spectacular sculpture sitting inside the huge Shekhawati arch, there is a magnetic attraction to the ancient energy it represents. Eclectic bohemian decor has no boundaries and is as free spirited as you are.

The Project Kill Switch and Project Management

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A wise man once said, Project Management is doing project rights. Portfolio Management is doing the right mix of projects. Depending upon how your organization is utilizing information technology will be portrayed in your organization’s project mix. Currently, we have a small project expense organization mix. Mostly upgrades and minor enhancements, some of it has to do with the economy and non-existent capital. Others can be viewed on how we have not yet achieved the term strategic business enabler. Some projects should be placed out into the pasture of long lost opportunities. Yet we continue to strive towards these endeavors.

Let’s talk about some of the common characteristics displayed and when a project should be terminated.

  • Lack of Sponsorship: Ever been on a project where the executive sponsor was walked to the door. Chances are the project should be halted and evaluated for re-engagement when the management renewal process comes to fruition
  • Priority Changed: Its hard to keep the momentum on a project that jumps from critical to low to medium to low. Any degrade in priority should place the project on the murder board.
  • Missed the target date: If you needed it by X, and it is now 30 days past X and it maybe another 60 days to get it done. Its time to decide if the moment of opportunity has past.
  • Increased Risk: If in your risk management process, there is suddenly significant increased risk. It is time for the review of the kill criteria.
  • Evil Vile uncontrolled Scope Creep: Do you have more scope changes than project tasks? Uncontrolled scope is just a project awaiting for the kill switch.
  • Will not achieve benefits: If it doesn’t have business benefits, don’t do it. Could you imagine asking an organization to invest half a million in an upgrade, but still keep those life saving pharmacy rules turned off. If the project isn’t going to realize the benefits, it is time to work on items which will.
  • Severe Vendor Management Issues: Suffering from a vendor who no longer answers the phone, or perhaps the latest release has been missed. Be sure to review the dissolution terms in the contract, it may be time to execute those terms.

So if on your project dashboard, you notice 5 – 10 projects which should be killed what do you do? One suggestion is to have a project murder board, and for any of the poor performers have to have the sponsor justify the continued investment.

An easier item from a go-forward philosophy is to have project cancellation criteria right in the charter. It is easier to say based upon any of the above situations, that the project will be brought before governance for a value review. A part of this best practice to make the project manager accountable for triggering the review.