How to Get the Most

Value From a Career

Counselor

Marty Nemko @MartyNem ko

Nov. 17, 2014

nullplusGetty Images
Marty Nemko holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology from UC Berkeley and is a
career and personal coach.

They're likely to help you the most after you've landed a job
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Many people consider career counselors a joke: They give you B.S. tests that, in the
end, always say you should be a funeral director or a forest ranger. While thats
stretching it, career counselors are often less useful than they could be.
Choosing a career
The most likely reason youd choose to see a career counselor is because youre still
not sure what you want to be when you grow up even though youre already a grownup. Alas, career counseling clients too often dont end up contentedly employed
because:

No one career stands out.

Too many careers stand out.

Their goal is too popular. For example, they want to work in media, entertainment, or
for the environment but so does half the continent. Career counselors unofficial motto, Do
what you love and the money will follow, often ends up being untrue.

Their goal sounded good but once in the career, they dislike it because the field or
particular job turned out different than the career counselor suggested it would be.
Part of the problem is that career counselors main tools, career inventories, poorly
predict how successful and happy youll be in a given career. For example, the
popular Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, administered to over 2.5 million people each
year, severely lacks reliability, let alone predictive validity. Penn-Wharton Professor
of Psychology, Adam Grant, in a Huffington Post review of the Myers-Briggs,
concluded, we all need to recognize that four letters [the Myers-Briggs 16 categories
each have four letters] dont do justice to anyones identity. So leaders, consultants,

counselors, coaches, and teachers, join me in delivering this message: MBTI, Im

breaking up with you.
Now in my 30th year as a career counselor and coach, despite honors and praise from
most clients, I wonder whether helping people pick a career is a cost- and timeeffective use of peoples money and time. Do career counselors, especially paid ones,
often-enough add sufficient value over what you might get by simply using software
such as O*Net or Eureka, which inventory your skills and interests and then provide
descriptions of matching careers, including training requirements, and
supplementing that with some Googling and informational interviews?
Landing the job
Career counselors tend to be more effective in helping you land a job. They can teach
the art of networking, how to create a good LinkedIn profile and how to write a good
resume and cover letter. Indeed, some counselors cross the ethical line and write or
so heavily edit your work that it more represents the counselors writing, thinking and
organizational skills than yours. Career counselors can prep you for interviews,
helping you craft ideal answers for likely interview questions and videoing you to
show you when you dont appear credible and winsome.
Even if the counselor doesnt write your resume and cover letter nor feed you model
answers, much job-search coaching, despite its ubiquity, in my view, is unethical and
inimical to the common good. The people willing to pay a job-search coach are
disproportionately those who, on their own, failed to find decent employment, a pool
that, on average, is less intelligent, less skilled, less motivated and/or more highmaintenance than the pool of people that get hired without paying a job coach. So
when career counselors do the aforementioned packaging of a client, theyre often
making an applicant look superior to more worthy candidates. As I mentioned in
a recent TIME article, thats, of course, unfair to the better candidates, especially to
low-income ones that cant afford a job-search coach. Thats also unfair to employers
who thereby are deceived into hiring a worse employee than they otherwise would
have hired. And that hurts all of us: The quality of the goods and services we receive is
affected by the quality of people that get hired. There will always be a percentage of
people who are unemployed. In an ideal world, theyd be the people whod be the
worst employees. But job-seeker packagers mitigate that. So, ironically, job-search
coaching, which would seem to be a pro-social profession, may, overall, actually make
the world worse.
Where a good career counselor or coach may most help
Most career counselors dont continue to work with you after youve landed a job.
Ironically, thats when one is most likely to do the most good. Fortunately, some, by
temperament and training, can help clients succeed on the job. You might want to
hire someone to help you with one or more of these:

Onramping. The first 30 days are crucial. As they say, you never get a second chance
to make a first impression. To onramp successfully, you must quickly learn that workplaces
unspoken rules and culture, what to prioritize and the quality of work expected. You must
develop relationships, especially with key people, who may or may not appear key on the

organizational chart, for example, that veteran administrative assistant who has seen it all.
Such skills are often not taught in college.

Communication. Many people think theyre more effective communicators than they,
in fact, are. For example, they may be unclear, or clear but lacking in emotional intelligence.
They may be long-winded. Their speech and writing may too often embed anger.

Time management. Managing time and avoiding procrastination is key to career

success but tough for many people.

Organization. No, you neednt be a neat freak but being functionally organized is
important and, in some people, lacking.

Management and leadership. The art of supervising people and budgets requires much
subtlety. Also, one must know how to develop processes that are detailed enough but not
unduly constraining, and how to manage and lead more by inspiring than micromanaging.
Many career counselors and coaches, while rich in counseling skills, are lacking in
these areas and might be wise to acquire them, whether via self-study, courses,
and/or real-world experience as an employee of an organization.
The takeaway
If more career counselors and coaches focused on the sort of work proposed in the
previous section, they could greatly improve our worklives, for our own betterment,
employers, and societys.
Marty Nemko holds a Ph.D. specializing in education evaluation from U.C. Berkeley
and subsequently taught there. He is the author of seven books and an awardwinning career coach, writer, speaker and public radio host specializing in
career/workplace issues and education reform. His writings and radio programs
are archived onwww.martynemko.com.

Counseling Sessions
Career counselors offer individual appointments to help advise you on your specific career needs, goals
and questions. Counselors are trained to work with students interested in all fields and industries, and
can help with career needs for students and alumni starting out and thinking about career options and
those with specialized and specific career goals. There are many benefits to meeting with a career

counselor including obtaining information about what employers look for in resumes and cover letters
and at interviews, discussing career related concerns, and gaining a deeper perspective and a sense of
career self-awareness.
Students and alumni may make appointments to discuss a variety of career topics including:

Self-assessment and awareness of individual skills, values, interests and personality traits

How to initiate a job search

Industry research and potential career options

How to gain experience through internships, volunteering, jobs, and activities

Whether graduate school is your next step

Goal setting and implementing a career plan

Using decision-making skills to make informed career choices

Many students benefit from participating in a ten minute Quick Question appointment prior to scheduling
a 30 minute career-counseling appointment. Quick Question appointments are held Monday through
Friday from 1-4 p.m. during the academic year on a first-come, first-served basis. (Please note that
Quick Questions are not held over the summer or on days when the university is closed.) A Quick
Question appointment is a great first-step in your engagement with our office and an opportunity to learn
more about our services, have an initial review of your resume or cover letter conducted, or have a
career development or job search question answered through a brief, one-one conversation with one of
our counselors.
Individual career counseling sessions can be scheduled in person or by telephone and are offered from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m Monday through Friday year-round with a limited number of additional evening hours from
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays during the academic year. Please call us at 212.854.5609 or visit our
Career Resource Center to schedule an appointment.
Counseling appointments are offered to all undergraduates, graduates, and alumni of the 5 schools and
colleges served by the Center for Career Education. Students and alumni are encouraged to plan in
advance to partake in this service as we regularly experience a minimum one-week wait for our next
available appointment time. In particular, demand for counseling appointments is the greatest at the
beginning of each semester.
Please note:
All undergraduates and alumni served by Center for Career Education:
30 minute career counseling appointments are offered year-round.
Graduate students served by Center for Career Education:
15 minute career counseling appointments are offered from the beginning of the semester till October
13th. A small number of 30 minute practice interview sessions will be offered to those who have
upcoming job interviews. From October 17th and onward, 30 minute career counseling appointments are
offered for any job-related discussions and practice interviews.

So that we can offer the greatest number of available appointments we request that if you cannot make
an appointment that you call us at 212.854.5609 to cancel or reschedule by the close of business (5pm
Monday through Friday) one business day before your appointment so that we have enough time to
schedule another student or alumni for your appointment slot. As you might imagine, our appointment
slots are in high demand and there can be a wait time for our counseling services. As a result, we have
established policies to ensure we can meet the needs of as many students/alums that request our
services. The first time you cancel your appointment less than one business day in advance or do not
show up for your appointment, you will receive a warning but still maintain access to career counseling.
If this happens a second time, you will lose access to career counseling appointments for the remainder
of the semester (i.e., Fall semester: September 1 December 31; Spring semester: January 1 May 31;
Summer semester: June 1 August 31).
We appreciate your respect for our time and services and look forward to meeting with you.

Career Counseling
The Counseling Center offers brief psychologically and culturally-informed
individual career counseling to currently registered UW-Seattle matriculated
students. During this time, you and your counselor will explore a range of
subjects that will help you gain greater self-awareness, or clarity, about your
academic and career goals. As a result, youll be better able to decide on
potential majors and careers. Some of the areas your counselor may discuss
with you include:
Cultural/family beliefs and values that have impacted your education
and career prospects
Family expectations of what you should study or which careers you
should consider
Your preferences for lifestyle, geographical location, preferred work
environments, family needs, etc.

 Your interests, motivated skills and values

Career Assessments
Strong Interest Inventory (SII): If you only take one test, this should be
it. The SII is the leading career planning tool for those seeking career direction.
You can take it online in about 30 minutes. Interpretation required.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): When used along with the SII,
the MBTI can be very beneficial in showing why and how we like to work. Like
the SII, it takes about 30 minutes to complete online. Interpretation required.

6 guidelines for students and parents on selecting a career path

Sound Vision Staff Writer

The transition from high school to college is arguably one of the most exciting times in the
life of a student. A time of new beginnings, of intense emotions and perennial memories. It is
also a time that demands big changes, careful planning, and important and often difficult
decisions. Prime among these decisions is choosing a career path. Though many high school
seniors believe they know what studies they want to pursue, surveys indicate that a college
student will change major an average of three times. In this article we succinctly describe
some guidelines that can be helpful in the process of making career decisions.
1. Know yourself

Take the time to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, to identify the subjects and activities
you enjoy and the ones you dislike, to determine your goals and expectations. Think about the
kind of work you would like to perform, the working conditions and earning level you seek,
and the implications on your overall lifestyle. Discuss these issues, as well as your plans and
concerns, with your parents, teachers, counselors and friends. Then, using resources like those
discussed below, find out which career paths would most likely draw on your strengths, be of
your liking, and meet your expectations.
2. Talk to the experts

Career counselors, available in many high schools and most colleges, are professionals trained
to guide you in the process of making career decisions. They will administer specialized
questionnaires and tests to help you identify and evaluate your interests, your strengths and
weaknesses, and your goals.
A valuable source of information about a specific career are people working in that field. Try

to meet and talk to some of them. Inquire about the nature of their work, the working
conditions, the training required, the job market outlook, and what they like and dislike about
their work. Then compare their answers with your expectations.
3. Know the job market

The availability of good job opportunities has traditionally been, and will continue to be, one
of the very important elements in career decision making. The more dynamic and global
character of today's economy makes it somewhat harder to accurately anticipate long-term
changes in the job market. Nevertheless, there are valuable studies on employment trends that
can be an important resource in assessing future demand for specific careers.
4. Consult various information sources

In addition to educational institutions and government agencies, other sources of career

information and reference material include public libraries, professional societies, companies
and business firms. Much of this information, and more, is also available at your fingertips
through the Internet. It is always a good practice to consult more than one source before
reaching an opinion.
5. Let the student decide

All too often well intentioned parents try to choose a career and a college for their son or
daughter without much regard for the students' preferences and skills. This approach can put
significant strain on family relationships and can be for the student a source of frustration for
years to come. People that enjoy and use their strengths in what they do usually have more
successful and fulfilling careers.
6. Keep an Islamic perspective

Last, but certainly not least, keep always an Islamic perspective on things. More important
than the successes and failures we encounter in life is the way in which we react to them. We
should be thankful to Allah and humble in our achievements, and we should be thankful and
patient in our defeats. Face every challenge and perform every task to the best of your
abilities, and at the same time pray for Allah's help, guidance and forgiveness. Indeed, the
amount of taqwa we accumulate in our hearts is a more trustworthy measure of our success in
life.

Guidelines for students and parents on selecting a career path:

The transition from high school to college is arguably one of the most exciting times
in the life of a student. A time of new beginnings, of intense emotions and perennial
memories. It is also a time that demands big changes, careful planning, and
important and often difficult decisions. Prime among these decisions is choosing a
career path. Though many high school seniors believe they know what studies they

want to pursue, surveys indicate that a college student will change major an average
of three times. In this article we succinctly describe some guidelines that can be
helpful in the process of making career decisions.
1. Know yourself.
Take the time to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, to identify the subjects
and activities you enjoy and the ones you dislike, to determine your goals and
expectations. Think about the kind of work you would like to perform, the working
conditions and earning level you seek, and the implications on your overall lifestyle.
Discuss these issues, as well as your plans and concerns, with your parents,
teachers, counselors and friends. Then, using resources like those discussed below,
find out which career paths would most likely draw on your strengths, be of your
liking, and meet your expectations.
2. Talk to the experts.
Career counselors, available in many high schools and most colleges, are
professionals trained to guide you in the process of making career decisions. They
will administer specialized questionnaires and tests to help you identify and evaluate
your interests, your strengths and weaknesses, and your goals.
A valuable source of information about a specific career are people working in that
field. Try to meet and talk to some of them. Inquire about the nature of their work, the
working conditions, the training required, the job market outlook, and what they like
and dislike about their work. Then compare their answers with your expectations.
3. Know the job market.
The availability of good job opportunities has traditionally been, and will continue to
be, one of the very important elements in career decision making. The more dynamic
and global character of today's economy makes it somewhat harder to accurately
anticipate long-term changes in the job market. Nevertheless, there are valuable
studies on employment trends that can be an important resource in assessing future
demand for specific careers.
4. Consult various information sources.
In addition to educational institutions and government agencies, other sources of
career information and reference material include public libraries, professional
societies, companies and business firms. Much of this information, and more, is also
available at your fingertips through the Internet. It is always a good practice to consult
more than one source before reaching an opinion.
5. Let the student decide.
All too often well intentioned parents try to choose a career and a college for their
son or daughter without much regard for the students' preferences and skills. This
approach can put significant strain on family relationships and can be for the student
a source of frustration for years to come. People that enjoy and use their strengths in
what they do usually have more successful and fulfilling careers.

6. Keep an Islamic perspective.

Last, but certainly not least, keep always an Islamic perspective on things. More
important than the successes and failures we encounter in life is the way in which we
react to them. We should be thankful to Allah and humble in our achievements, and
we should be thankful and patient in our defeats. Face every challenge and perform
every task to the best of your abilities, and at the same time pray for Allah's help,
guidance and forgiveness. Indeed, the amount of taqwa we accumulate in our hearts
is a more trustworthy measure of our success in life.

Goals and Objectivesof your career OR business:

After qualifying in one's career, trade etc. one should; firstly be dedicated to utilising
one's expertise in the service of Islam. One can easily apply one's knowledge
attained in one's field of expertise to serve; empower and advise fellow Muslims and
Islam in general. This will turn your profession, career as a service to the Ummah at
large and a service to Islam.This dedication to help build the economic strength of
Muslims through networking and promoting cooperation, and by encouraging and
helping Muslims to prosper will be highly meritorious. Not only, can one apply one's
expertise to the community; but one can work to help advancement of Muslims in
corporate and professional careers.
Some ways to achieve that would be:

Promote and help cooperation among Muslims and Muslim businesses.

Promote and help the establishment of new Muslim businesses.

Help in finding and developing business opportunities for Muslims.

Help advancement of Muslim employees in their careers.

Provide services that effectively utilize the pooled resources of Muslims.

Promote and help establishment of Islamic financial institutions.

Promote and help in trade and other business cooperation with Islamic
countries.

In the field of careers, research and education:

Those who achieve heights in these areas should help others who would like
to pursue likewise.
Additionally:
To become a financially independent model community that is the best
example for other communities.

Follow the Sunnah of our beloved Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam)

especially at our work places and be a model to all those around us.

To enjoin and invite towards good and forbid evil using one's profession.

To try to apply one's career to the upliftment of the social, political, economical
or financial arenas within the shariah.

To help solve many of the moral, social, and economic problems that are
plaguing the Ummah within the capacity of one's expertise.
The goal of the tradesman,professional,or businessman is to earn the
PLEASURE of Allah Subana Wata'ala by utilising one's career; profession;
trade or business to serve Islam and fellow Muslims in one's own capacity.

A. Guidelines for students and parents on selecting a career path:

The transition from high school to college is arguably one of the most exciting
times in the life of a student. A time of new beginnings, of intense emotions and
perennial memories. It is also a time that demands big changes, careful planning,
and important and often difficult decisions. Prime among these decisions is
choosing a career path. Though many high school seniors believe they know
what studies they want to pursue, surveys indicate that a college student will
change major an average of three times. In this article we succinctly describe
some guidelines that can be helpful in the process of making career decisions.
1. Know yourself:
Take the time to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, to identify the subjects
and activities you enjoy and the ones you dislike, to determine your goals and
expectations. Think about the kind of work you would like to perform, the
working conditions and earning level you seek, and the implications on your
overall lifestyle. Discuss these issues, as well as your plans and concerns, with
your parents, teachers, counselors and friends. Then, using resources like those
discussed below, find out which career paths would most likely draw on your
strengths, be of your liking, and meet your expectations.
2. Talk to the experts:
Career counselors, available in many high schools and most colleges, are
professionals trained to guide you in the process of making career decisions.
They will administer specialized questionnaires and tests to help you identify
and evaluate your interests, your strengths and weaknesses, and your goals.
A valuable source of information about a specific career are people working in
that field. Try to meet and talk to some of them. Inquire about the nature of their
work, the working conditions, the training required, the job market outlook, and
what they like and dislike about their work. Then compare their answers with
your expectations.
3. Know the job market:

The availability of good job opportunities has traditionally been, and will
continue to be, one of the very important elements in career decision making.
The more dynamic and global character of today's economy makes it somewhat
harder to accurately anticipate long-term changes in the job market.
Nevertheless, there are valuable studies on employment trends that can be an
important resource in assessing future demand for specific careers.
4. Consult various information sources:
In addition to educational institutions and government agencies, other sources of
career information and reference material include public libraries, professional
societies, companies and business firms. Much of this information, and more, is
also available at your fingertips through the Internet. It is always a good practice
to consult more than one source before reaching an opinion.
5. Let the student decide:
All too often well intentioned parents try to choose a career and a college for
their son or daughter without much regard for the students' preferences and
skills. This approach can put significant strain on family relationships and can be
for the student a source of frustration for years to come. People that enjoy and
use their strengths in what they do usually have more successful and fulfilling
careers.
6. Keep an Islamic perspective:
Last, but certainly not least, keep always an Islamic perspective on things. More
important than the successes and failures we encounter in life is the way in
which we react to them. We should be thankful to Allah and humble in our
achievements, and we should be thankful and patient in our defeats. Face every
challenge and perform every task to the best of your abilities, and at the same
time pray for Allah's help, guidance and forgiveness. Indeed, the amount of
taqwa we accumulate in our hearts is a more trustworthy measure of our success
in life.
7. Goals and Objectives of your career OR business:
After qualifying in one's career, trade etc. one should; firstly be dedicated to
utilising one's expertise in the service of Islam. One can easily apply one's
knowledge attained in one's field of expertise to serve; empower and advise

fellow Muslims and Islam in general. This will turn your profession, career as a
service to the Ummah at large and a service to Islam. This dedication to help
build the economic strength of Muslims through networking and promoting
cooperation, and by encouraging and helping Muslims to prosper will be highly
meritorious. Not only, can one apply one's expertise to the community; but one
can work to help advancement of Muslims in corporate and professional
careers.
Some ways to achieve that would be:
Promote and help cooperation among Muslims and Muslim businesses.
Promote and help the establishment of new Muslim businesses.
Help in finding and developing business opportunities for Muslims.
Help advancement of Muslim employees in their careers.
Provide services that effectively utilize the pooled resources of Muslims.
Promote and help establishment of Islamic financial institutions.
Promote and help in trade and other business cooperation with Islamic
countries.
In the field of careers, research and education:
Those who achieve heights in these areas should help others who would like to
pursue likewise.
Additionally:
To become a financially independent model community that is the best
example for other communities.
Follow the Sunnah of our beloved Rasulullah (sallallahu alaiyhi wa sallam)
especially at our work places and be a model to all those around us.
To enjoin and invite towards good and forbid evil using one's profession.
To try to apply one's career to the upliftment of the social, political,
economical or financial arenas within the shariah.
To help solve many of the moral, social, and economic problems that are
plaguing the Ummah within the capacity of one's expertise.

The goal of the tradesman, professional, or businessman is to earn the

PLEASURE of Allah Subana Wata'ala by utilising one's career; profession; trade
or business to serve Islam and fellow Muslims in one's own capacity.
[Edited and compiled by Everymuslim with main source from soundvision]

B. General Ethical guidelines in Business:

Some general guidelines govern the Islamic code of ethics with relation to both
one's daily life and business conduct. Muslims are required to behave Islamically
in their business dealings because Allah Himself is witness to their transactions:
In whatever business you may be, and whatever portion you may be reciting
from the Qur'an and whatever deed you may be doing We are Witnesses thereof
when you are deeply engrossed therein. [Al Qur'an 10:61]
Here are some key business principles that Muslims should follow.
1. Be Honest and Truthful:
Honesty and truthfulness are qualities which a Muslim business person should
develop and practice in himself. Truth, for example, has a self-reinforcing effect.
In a hadith reported in Sahih al Bukhari.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and
righteousness leads to Paradise. A man continues to tell the truth until he
becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to al fujuwr (i.e. wickedness, evildoing), and al fujuwr (wickedness) leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man may
continue to tell lies till he is written before Allah, a liar." [Hadith No. 8.116]
Honesty and truth is especially important for Muslim business persons because
of the need to make a profit and the temptations to enhance the attributes of their
product of service during a sales pitch. This is why the Prophet (peace be upon
him) said:
The merchants will be raised on the Day of Resurrection as evil-doers, except
those who fear Allah, are honest and speak the truth. [Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah,
Darimi]
2. Keep Your Word:
In a hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) is
reported to have said:

"If you guarantee me six things on your part I shall guarantee you Paradise.
Speak the truth when you talk, keep a promise when you make it, when you are
trusted with something fulfill your trust, avoid sexual immorality, lower your
gaze, and restrain your hands from injustice." [Ubadah Ibn al Samit, Ahmad,
Bayhaqi]
3. Love Allah More Than Your Trade:
We must love Allah even if we have to sacrifice everything else. Allah warns in
the Qur'an, which is translated to mean:
Say, "If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your
kindred; the wealth that you have gained; the commerce in which you fear a
decline; or the dwellings in which you delight - are dearer to you than Allah, or
His Messenger, or the striving in His cause -then wait until Allah brings about
His Decision: and Allah guides not the rebellious." [Al Qur'an 9:24]
4. Deal with Muslims before Dealing with Non-Muslims:
In a sound hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) hired a polytheist as a guide
at the time of his migration from Makkah to Madinah, thus entrusting him with
his life and money. The people of the tribe of Khuza'ah, who included both
Muslims and non-Muslims, acted as scouts for the Prophet (peace be upon him).
In a hadith reported by Sa'd, the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked Muslims to
seek medical treatment from al Harith Ibn Kaldah, who was a disbeliever. [Abu
Dawud, Hadith no. 3866] However, as As Sayyid Sabiq pointed out, if a Muslim
physician is present, one should seek his or her treatment and not turn to anyone
else. The same applies when one has to entrust a person with funds or deal with
him in business. [Fiqh-us-Sunnah 4, 6.a, paragraph 4.]
5. Be Humble in how You Conduct Your Life:
Muslims must not lead a life of extravagance, and must exhibit good-will in any
transactions among themselves.
O you who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: but
let there be amongst you traffic and trade by mutual good-will: nor kill (or
destroy) yourselves: for verily Allah has been to you Most Merciful. [Al Qur'an
4:29]
6. Use Mutual Consultation in Your Affairs:
In describing the characteristics of those who will receive higher and more
permanent gifts from Him, Allah stresses the importance of consultation.

Those who hearken to their Lord; and establish regular prayer; who (conduct)
their affairs by mutual consultation, who spend out of what we bestow on them
for sustenance. [Al Qur'an 42:38]
7. Do Not Deal in Fraud:
Businessmen should avoid duplicity. They should treat others in the same
righteous and fair manner that they themselves would like to be treated.
Woe to those that deal in fraud those who when they have to receive by measure
from men exact full measure. But when they have to give by measure or weight
to men give less than due. Do they not think that they will be called to
account? [Al Qur'an 83:1-4]
8. Do Not Bribe:
Businessmen may sometimes be tempted to offer bribes or baqshish in order to
persuade another party to give them special favours or to allow them to get away
with dishonest practices. The practice of bribery is forbidden in Islam.
The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) cursed the one bribes and the one who
takes bribes. [Abd Allah ibn Amr ibn Al As, Abu Dawud, hadith no 3573]
9. Deal Justly:
The general principle that applies across all transactions including those
pertaining to business is that of justice or 'adl. Allah emphasizes this point in the
Qur'an:
Deal not unjustly, and you shall not be dealt with unjustly. [Al Qur'an 2:279]
[ Taken from 'Islamic Business Ethics: Rafik Issa Beekun' - Source:
MuslimTradingPost..]

C. Guidelines for a Muslim Businessman

I will as a MUSLIM BUSINESSMAN, Insha-Allah, behave Islamically towards:
1. My Creator:
My intention for business will not be merely to enrich myself but to earn Halaal
and spend in the right path
I will regard it as a compulsory duty to learn all the Islamic rules and laws

regarding business from the Ulama.

I will then always conduct my business according to the Laws of Shari'ah.
I will spend my resources wisely, always maintaining appropriate reserves for
difficult times.
2. My Customers:
My primary responsibility is to provide the best quality product to those who
come to my business.
I will receive my customers politely and treat them with respect and dignity.
I will work to cut my overhead costs in order to charge reasonable prices.
I will process all transactions speedily and without errors.
I will not misrepresent my products or services to any customer at all
I will gladly accept to refund a dissatisfied customer
3. My Suppliers and Distributors:
I will work with my suppliers and distributors to maintain consistency in quality
and service.
I will ensure that they make a fair profit.
4. My Employees:
All my employees will work in safe and clean conditions.
They will receive fair and adequate compensation.
They will have ample opportunities to develop their skills.
They will feel free to make suggestions, or complaints.
I will safeguard their rights and respect their dignity at all times.
I will clearly communicate to all employees what is expected of them.
I will compensate my employees equitably.
I will allow them reasonable time to fulfill their religious obligations, especially
Salaah & Hajj.
5. My Competitors:
I will not engage in monopolistic behavior and preclude others from competing
with me.
I will compete fairly without engaging in un-Islamic tactics.
I will not be envious or malicious towards my competitors in anyway.
6: My Community:

I will support the community I live in as well as the world-wide Ummah.

I will be a good citizen, by contributing to the welfare of the needy and the
destitute in society.
Article taken (with Thanks) from JamiatKZN

slamic counselling and psychotherapy is a discipline that is vaguely defined. Information

that is available on this topic is often limited in quantity and perspective to form the
theoretical basis necessary to constitute a model of intervention for Islamic Counselling.
Indeed in discussions with social service practitioners this lack of a coherent Islamic
counselling methodology is frequently expressed. It is not unusual to find that counselling
professionals find themselves at a loss to intervene effectively with clients who adhere to
an Islamic value system especially when it is at variance with their own. For the client
this situation is commonly experienced as an inability on the side of the practitioner to
fully understand him/her. Given that Islamic counselling is not yet in a form where its
actual implementation can be monitored, it first requires guidelines that can be integrated
into a theoretical framework, a purpose to which this article is directed.
Islamic counselling is not a new concept. When studying its historical location, a
distinction may be made between cultural and professional modes of Islamic counselling.
In the former, counselling is not an explicit exercise, but alluded to in the religio-cultural
rituals of Muslim communities. In the case of the latter, we set Islamic counselling as a
formal discourse, comparable with mainstream, predominantly western counselling
paradigms.
Islamic Counselling
If counselling is to be equated with giving advice and guidance then it dates back to the
beginning of time, having an array of practitioners including shamans and sangomas,
friends and family, prophets, priests and soothsayers. Islamic counselling in a cultural
mode is not an explicit process. It manifests as part of ritual healing practices. While
these practices do not constitute formal counselling, it has been shown to hold the same
therapeutic value as mainstream counselling approaches. This has been attested to by
case studies drawn from the Negev, India and Morocco all in the psycho
therapeutic validity and healing capacity of such practices.1
Islamic counselling and psychotherapy from a professional perspective is of recent
origin. Few scholars have addressed this area of study in a significant way, beyond
assertions that Islamic counselling needs to be developed into a well structured

discourse that captures the breath and spirit of Islam in helping people. These
contributions are usually directed at the presence of mainstream western counselling
paradigms as a dominant force in counselling and social intervention.
Professional counselling and psychotherapy are two separate but closely linked
disciplines that are for most part treated equivalently. They are generally understood as
disciplines that involve help and healing, and by which counsellors interact with clients to
assist them to learn about themselves, deal with their environments, and understand the
roles and responsibilities inherent in these relations. The role of emotions in causing
psychological and emotional disturbances is central to understanding and helping clients.
Individuals are thus aided to recognise their potential, learn how to utilise this potential,
and work towards removing obstacles that block full realisation of their capabilities.
In professional terms, Islamic counselling would be a confluence of counselling and
psychotherapy with the central tenets of Islam. This is acceptable in as far as it provides
a broad purpose for Islamic counselling by linking it with an overarching intent of helping
clients attain positive change in their lives. However, as counselling theories take on
various philosophical positions such an analysis can become quite problematic. This is
especially so given the nature and scope of Islam as a religious worldview, and debates
on Islamic counselling that call for the rejection of western counselling theories.
Application of Islamic principles to theories outside the realm of Islam or using concepts
from mainstream counselling to inform an Islamic approach is therefore discouraged.
In such arguments it is often asserted that Western psychology is devoid of religion and
foster distorted concepts of humankind that are rooted in materialism. Counselling that is
based on Islam is then forwarded as a feasible alternative. Writers of such positions do
simultaneously concede that western psychotherapy and psychiatry has its merits in
dealing with psychological suffering and behaviour modification. What is proposed then is
that Muslims use the positive aspects of western counselling, integrate it with the
spiritual, and develop Islamic psycho-spiritual counselling methodologies that would
facilitate positive change in Muslim clients.
Exploring the Qur'an, the Sirah of the Prophet and his traditions, as well as the
biographies of the Prophets companions, will provide detailed instructions for
implementing successful therapy. In the main, though, it is Sufism (tasawwuf), the
mystical tradition of Islam, which is credited with providing the basis for Islamic
psychology. It is forwarded as the main frame of reference from which to develop a
professional Islamic counselling approach.
Islamic Counselling Practices in the Western Cape
The practical manifestation of Islamic service delivery by Muslim organisations is very
different from the cultural and professional tenets indicated above. While counselling may
reflect on some of the aforementioned assumptions, it is not the overarching focus. Many
Muslim organisations are involved in Islamic counselling service delivery based on
approaches that integrates Islam with general counselling techniques. Here the Shariah

provides directives in how Muslims are to conduct themselves on various socio-legal

matters and techniques from the overall disciplines of counselling and psychotherapy.
This is particularly the case where professional social workers are employed at Muslim
agencies. Alternatively a purely Shariah based approach is implemented in an instructive
manner. In this latter instance Imams and Shaykhs (pl.) are more commonly involved in
such counselling.
In the Western Cape the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) is the largest provider of Islamic
counselling services in the form of marital counselling. It has a Social Welfare
Department where clients are seen from Monday to Wednesday, and where urgent cases
are attended to on Friday mornings as well. Shariah Court hearings are held on
Thursdays to make decisions on the status of certain cases for talaq or fasakh. An
estimated total caseload of 150 cases per week have been indicated. The Muslim
Assembly likewise offers marital counselling together with structured ongoing counselling
sessions and follow-up to clients. This service is conducted by a professional social
worker and a judiciary consisting of four Imams and Shaykhs who make decisions on
divorces. Counselling may also extend to affected persons e.g. children in cases of
marital discord or divorce. Additional services offered are behavioural counselling, stress
management and drug counselling and support.
The Islamic Dawah Movement of Southern Africa offers drug counselling as well. Marital
counselling is the focus of the Islamic Social and Welfare Association
(ISWA). ISWA provides professional social services to communities of the Western Cape
in general and to Muslim communities in particular. The organisation started in 1986 to
seek solutions for an alarming increase in the divorce rates amongst Muslim people, as
well as to respond to an overwhelming need for structured social services for Muslim
clients. It has since developed into a fully fledged social welfare agency and includes in
its services, general psycho-social counselling, specialised marital counselling, training
of community workers, family reconstruction programmes, setting up of self-help
projects, and childcare awareness programmes. A counselling service is also provided by
the MustadafinFoundation. However, here counselling is restricted to the presenting
problem stage only and clients are referred to other appropriate agencies. It is important
to note that all these agencies work closely with other state or private social welfare
agencies. This is especially the case where presenting problems are beyond their field of
expertise.
The above constitutes the main counselling service provision agencies for Muslim in the
Western Cape. Counselling is not however limited to these agencies and many other
Muslim agencies may be involved in counselling. The Islamic Unity Convention is
generally acknowledged as a counselling service provider for Muslim clients, details of
which still need to be verified. Usually most Muslim organisations or leaders do interact
at the level of counselling with clients as a referral agency or as a first contact. In
essence counselling is an active available social service that exists for Muslim clients.
The extent to which it is implemented along Islamic lines are varied but essentially an
integrative approach of Islam and general models is the preferred, and under the
circumstances, the most workable and unavoidable model for now.

our career development is a lifelong process that, whether you know it or not, actually started when
you were born! There are a number of factors that influence your career development, including your
interests, abilities, values, personality, background, and circumstances. Career Counseling is a
process that will help you to know and understand yourself and the world of work in order to make
career, educational, and life decisions.
Career development is more than just deciding on a major and what job you want to get when you
graduate. It really is a lifelong process, meaning that throughout your life you will change, situations
will change, and you will continually have to make career and life decisions. The goal of Career
Counseling is to not only help you make the decisions you need to make now, but to give you the
knowledge and skills you need to make future career and life decisions.

What can I expect?

YOUR CAREER COUNSELOR WILL:

Help you figure out who you are and what you want out of your education, your career, and
your life.
Be someone for you to talk to about your thoughts, ideas, feelings, and concerns about your
career and educational choices, who will help you sort out, organize, and make sense of your thoughts
and feelings.
Help you identify the factors influencing your career development, and help you assess your
interests, abilities, and values.
Help you locate resources and sources of career information.
Help you to determine next steps and develop a plan to achieve your goals.

YOUR CAREER COUNSELOR WONT:

Tell you what to do, or tell you what you should major in or what career you should pursue.

Who needs Career Counseling?

Since career development is a lifelong process, Career Counseling can be appropriate for anyone,
including freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and even alumni. The earlier you get started making
intentional decisions about your future, however, the better prepared you will be! We recommend that
all freshmen come in and visit with a Career Counselor.
Below are some examples of concerns that bring students to Career Counseling:

Exploring Career and Major Options

I have no idea what I want to do with my life.

I dont know what to major in.
Ive narrowed it down to a couple career options, but Im having a hard time choosing
between them.
I know what I want to major in, but I have no idea what I want to do once I graduate.
I know what I want to do, but Im not sure what the best major would be.
I want to know what kinds of jobs I can get with my major.
I dont feel like I know enough about all the different careers out there to know what I want to
do.

Resolving Conflicts

I like a lot of different subjects, and I keep changing my major because Im not sure which one
is the best for me!
I dont like any of my classes and none of the majors seem really appealing to me.
I have a lot of work experience and I want to find a new career path that will build on the skills
I already have.
I was planning on going into the _______ program, but I applied and didnt get in. What do I
do now?
I always thought I wanted to be a _______, but I got into my major and I really dont like it!
I really like my major, but its not what I want to do for my career.
I know what type of work Id like to do, but Im afraid I wont be able to make enough money
doing it.
My family really wants me to be a _______, but Im not sure if thats really what I want.
Ive always planned on being a _______, but Im wondering if its only because thats all I
know.
I want to find a field to go into where there will always be plenty of jobs.
I want to find a career that will allow me to provide significant financial support for my family.
Im working towards my career, but I think I might just really want to be a stay-at-home
parent.
Ive always planned to stay in Boise, but to do what Id like to do Id have to move.
I cant find a job, so Im thinking about going to grad school.