Vocational and Professional Orientation

The strategic triad: self-knowledge, environment, and decision making

The process of vocational guidance is no longer a simple aptitude test but a profound journey of strategic self-discovery.

In educational coaching, this process is based on three interconnected pillars that must be worked sequentially.

The first is self-knowledge: before looking outward, the student must look inward to identify his or her core values, genuine interests and natural abilities.

Without this internal compass, any external choices run the risk of being superficial or imposed by family expectations.

The second pillar is knowledge of the environment. The student must investigate the reality of the current labor market, the new emerging professions and the real demands of the different sectors, moving away from myths or romantic idealizations about certain careers.

Finally, the third pillar is decision making. Here, the coach accompanies the student to cross-reference internal and external data to draw a concrete plan of action.

Pros and cons are eva luated, the inevitable trade-offs involved in making a choice are managed, and responsibility for the choice is assumed, transforming uncertainty into a solid life project.

Diagnostic tools: RIASEC, SWOT and Ikigai

To operationalize the orientation, technical models are used to structure the reflection.

The RIASEC model classifies personalities and work environments into six typologies (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Entrepreneurial and Conventional), helping the student to visualize where his or her psychological profile would best fit.

In addition, the Personal SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats and Strengths) allows for a strategic diagnosis of their employability, identifying which areas should be strengthened and which environmental risks should be mitigated.

However, the most integrative tool is the Japanese Ikigai model, which seeks the perfect intersection between four dimensions: what you love (passion), what you are good at (vocation), what the world needs (mission) and what you can be paid for (profession).

The coach uses this framework to help the student not only find a job, but a purpose.

For example, a student with a talent for drawing (passion/skill) who is concerned about climate ch