The Island's Chief Education Officer has come to the defence of high school career counsellors, describing recent criticism by a top businessman as "most unfair.'' Joseph Christopher was speaking after Harry Wilken, chairman of the International Companies Education Awards Committee, during his annual ICEA scholarship presentation speech last week, emphasised the importance of providing students with the proper career guidance essential to their futures.

"The apparent inadequacy of available guidance has caused members of my committee great concern,'' Mr. Wilken said.

Mr. Wilken added the necessary guidance from counsellors would greatly assist students in choosing realistic career paths and worthwhile study courses.

"Guidance counsellors are continually gaining knowledge and exposure to the world of work,'' said Dr. Christopher.

Dr. Christopher said that the need for students to receive proper career guidance has been an on-going project for the past few years.

He went on to specify the activities counsellors have been heavily involved in, including the annual College/University Fair which allows Bermudian students to mingle with representatives from 30 or more North American colleges and universities.

The fair is an opportunity for students to gather information on acceptance requirements, tuition costs, financial aid, courses and activities offered at a variety of North America's higher education facilities.

Dr. Christopher noted the importance of realising that this particular event was "introduced by school guidance counsellors in response to the needs of their students.'' He said counsellors have also attended local businesses to learn about their respective work and possible career opportunities which they welcomed and look forward to continuing in the future.

Dr. Christopher went on to mention that counsellors have found the computer software programme CHOICES, installed in government secondary schools several years ago, to be a valuable resource in assisting young people with career development.

The Internet, he said, available to both students and guidance counsellors shortly, will also enhance the information gathering component of the career development process.

Mr. Wilken also pointed out that nothing could be more frustrating than for a graduate to return home without having acquired a "worthwhile'' degree.

It is very unfortunate that students attend "educational mills'' where the degrees obtained are not of "due recognition,'' Mr. Wilken said. He said misleadings of this kind can upset a student's dreams.

He explained that only after analysing sizable amounts of both scholarship applications and student interviews did the ICEA committee come to such a conclusion.

The committee was shocked to find out the majority of this year's applicants learned about the ICEA programme through the media and not from their respective schools or guidance counsellors, who are directly involved in the education field.

This was an "eye opener,'' Mr. Wilken said. We also found out that a number of students showed little or no real effort in applying for other funds including scholarships and loans from Government.

"I am sure many would benefit from the financial support obtainable from the many available scholarships -- but if students are not aware of such programmes how can they possibly profit?'' he asked.

The International Companies Division in no way accepts any credit for possessing solutions to weaknesses in the system he said, but he added it does at least have the right to comment and pass observation. Dr. Christopher said that actually deciding which is the "right'' college or university to attend is a critical decision that cannot be left up to the student alone.

In conjunction with local employers, students could become more aware of the criteria mandatory to graduate with "due recognition'', Dr. Christopher suggested.

If having this knowledge before choosing a college or university, "much of the disappointment and disillusionment some students experience would be avoided.'' Be reminded though, he said, there are some areas of career development including an individual's interviewing techniques and resume presentation that can never be perfected.

"This is an area where members of the business community can work with us,'' he said before adding that students need to practice such skills regularly as they are an important part of career education. Dr. Christopher said that if all aspects of career guidance and not just those left up to career counsellors are properly addressed, the more likely a student's final decision "will prove to be the right one for him and his future.'' Dr. Joseph Christopher