Ask the careers counsellor!

Bruno Ruoss has been guiding young people through the career choice process at the Zurich Career Centre for ten years. He knows what is important when choosing a career.

Mr Ruoss, when is the right time to go to career counselling?

You should already have some knowledge of the professional world. Curiosity and openness help. Pupils usually come into contact with careers counselling for the first time at school.

How do you prepare for the interview?

Anyone who registers for a one-to-one interview should have specific questions. You should be clear about what you want to know from the careers counsellor - why you are going there in the first place.

What can young people learn from careers counselling?

Some need help finding out what suits them. Others have a career in mind and want to know how they can become a graphic designer, for example. Or they want to take the next steps, such as how to go about doing a taster apprenticeship in their chosen profession.

Should I bring my parents with me?

I like to have the parents on board, especially at the beginning. I appreciate it when they say what they want for their child, what training programmes they think are good. I prefer that to the parents staying in the background while I tell the young person that certain training programmes are not accepted at home. What's more, young people have to deal with a lot of information. So it makes sense for parents to be up to date. Your basic vocational training was some time ago and a lot has changed in recent years.

What can careers counselling do for young people and what do they have to do themselves?

They have to find their own training and do it themselves. Careers counselling can provide suggestions, give encouragement and open many doors. However, young people must be prepared to enter the world of work. They must want to progress and have the courage to jump in at the deep end. For many, it is particularly difficult to set themselves apart from their friends of the same age. If everyone thinks KV is cool, then it takes a lot to do your own thing. Above all, it takes commitment - not because the parents say: «You have to now!», but out of your own initiative.

Bruno Ruosshätte fast eine Schreinerlehre angefangen, wurde Primarlehrer und bildete sich zum Berufsberater weiter.
Bruno Ruoss
almost started an apprenticeship as a carpenter, became a primary school teacher and trained as a careers counsellor.

Read more:

  • Career choice - nothing is forever
  • What influence do school grades have on career choices?
  • Alternatives to apprenticeships and grammar school
  • I want to go to grammar school
  • The apprenticeship - a model for success
  • Teaching is just the beginning
  • The career after the apprenticeship
  • Changing professions
  • 7 tips for choosing a career
  • Questions about career choices that help