Swiss Review 3/2020

Swiss Review / June 2020 / No.3 24 OSA news “Choosing a profession or course of study is always a lengthy process.” Educationsuisse speaks to Francesca Kirchhofer, a vocational and career counsellor in Berne. Francesca Kirchhofer, you work at the Career Guidance Centre (BIZ) Berne. What do you enjoy about your work? Having the opportunity to inform, advise and support people in a wide range of life situa- tions is very exciting. It begins with students who are contemplatingwhat to dowhen they leave school. Thenwe have young adults who have completed an apprenticeship or up- per-secondary-level school and intend to work, study or divert from their original cho- sen path. We also offer career guidance to adults who are thinking of doing continuing education or changing profession. What is the biggest challenge that you face? Firstly, thewide range of education, training and continuing education opportunities that are currently available in Switzerland. The educational landscape is continually chang- ing. Keeping track is easier said than done. Secondly, the sheer variety of personal situ- ations with which we are confronted. It re- quires a lot of empathy. Unfortunately we cannot satisfy everyone. When is the right time to seek advice? As soon as you feel ready to weigh up the available options. Young Swiss Abroad often complete their first school qualification in the country in which they live. If they are in- tending to study or train in Switzerland thereafter, wewould advise themtowork out in good time what they want to do and the prerequisites that they need to fulfil. One or preferably two years beforehand is a good time to start planning. And how many young Swiss Abroad come to you for advice? Almost 20 were referred to us last year by educationsuisse – a relatively small num- ber for our staff of more than 70 here at the Career Guidance Centre in Berne. Do you have any tips on how young people can make the right choice? On the one hand, they should think about their own interests, strengths, motives and aspirations. On the other, they need infor- mation about what is available and routes to get there. Choosing a profession or course of study is always a lengthy process. You need to invest time in it. Gathering ex- perience is the way to get this process mov- ing. Experiences can be information events, conversations with professionals, or taster courses. Do you have any particular tips for Swiss Abroad? Thank goodness for the Internet! Ourwebsite, www.berufsberatung.ch, includes informa- tion about the Swiss education system, pre- paratory and integration courses, vocational education and training opportunities, fields of study, continuing education, and job-hunt- ing. Our “Berufe-Explorer” tool and “Studi- en-Interessen-Check SIC” check are two plat- forms that can help you work out which pro- fessions or higher education courses appeal to you themost. Our website contains photos and video clips about vocational education and training that provide an insight into the world of work. How important are skills in the relevant language? They are vital. At the very least, you need to have reached level B1/B2 to do vocational ed- ucation and training, and level C1 for univer- sities studies. You should try and shore up these skills in good time. Educationsuisse arranges personal consultations with the Career Guidance Centre BIZ-Berne. In a personal dialogue, a qualified expert will answer all individual questions. Consultations are available in English, German, French, Italian or Spanish, and may be conducted via Skype or face-to-face in Berne (or in Biel for French speakers). One consultation costs CHF 130 (duration: approx. 60 minutes). You can enrol for a consultation via educationsuisse. (RG) educationsuisse, Ausbildung in der Schweiz Alpenstrasse 26, 3006 Bern, SCHWEIZ Tel. +41 31 356 61 04 info@educationsuisse.ch www.educationsuisse.ch Francesca Kirchhofer, a vocational and career counsellor in Berne.