AN ANALYSIS OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE UNDERGRADUATES' PROFESSIONAL FUTURE PERSPECTIVE WITH REGARD TO CAREER COMPATIBILITY

Abstract

In this qualitative study, which was carried out with a survey model, it is aimed to analyze the psychological counselling and guidance undergraduates’ hopes/expectations and fears/anxieties regarding their professional promises in the face of recent unexpected changes as a result of the working conditions of this specific profession, and the state of being of these students in terms of interest, grip, curiosity, confidence and optimism.  “Future Time Perspective Scale” developed by Nurmi (1991) was used in this study. The results regarding the students' wishes and expectations from their professional futures are respectively as given: Designation (Designation was used here as a term for the process of government controlled employment which recognizes the KPSS results of an applicant -an examination system- as the determinant of proficiency for the applied job position.)  (45%), getting a master's degree (44%), working at a preferred institution (40%), improving themselves/being successful (33%), working on a preferred subject (20%), graduating (8 statements) and going abroad (9 statements). The results regarding the students' fears and anxieties about their professional futures are as follows: fear of not being able to be designated (67%), being unsuccessful in their profession (50%), anxiety about not being happy in their professions (37%), anxiety about professional future (8%), and financial concerns (8%).

Whereas psychological counselling and guidance (PCG) students feel confident about their grip over the professional future despite the career instability and precarity in their profession, they do not use all their curiosity and effort to build a better professional future. The level of their professional confidence and optimism about finding a job, professing and succeeding is low