UPM Serdang, 1 September - Cit Cat Putra FM with Counselors is one of the division's promotional initiatives, whether for the purpose of visibility of BKUPM psychology officers or program promotion. It is also a medium of knowledge transfer from BKUPM psychology officers to all listeners. The topic presented this time is Cit Cat Putra FM with Counselors: Are Counselors Easy to Tear? It will air on Putra FM on 22 August 2023 (Tuesday) from 12.00 noon until 1.00 pm.

Cit Cat Putra FM with Counselors on this broadcast slot is related to career info, namely 'Counselor Career'. This career is one of the professional careers, which in order to be recognized as a registered counsellor, the individual must have a Bachelor's Degree or above (Counseling field) and be registered with the Malaysian Counselor Board. Apart from that, to become a counsellor, an individual can also get training in the field of counseling with credit hours recognized by the Malaysian Counselors Board. In this slot, Mrs. Syarifah Sheril Azlin, who is one of the counselors in the Career Counseling Section, UPM Counseling Division, has given a brief and concise explanation regarding the Counselor profession. Among the excerpts is a question about 'What are the characteristics of a good counselor?' 'What are the situations that provide challenges in a career as a counsellor?', 'Views on 'Counselors need to look good all the time'? 'How do counselors handle emotions in helping clients when their own emotions are also disturbed?', How do counselors balance their lives and careers? and some more issues or questions that can be used as a guide for potential counselors, especially students in the field of counseling. Among those shared by Puan Syarifah Sheril Azlin, among the characteristics of a counselor must have the main characteristics of a good listener, maintain confidentiality and like to help. The help provided through counseling sessions is for the benefit of the client so that they can be independent when they are in a difficult situation.

He also shared about the issues and challenges faced by a counselor, how counselors deal with clients of various backgrounds and cultures, stigma about confidentiality, beliefs about the counselor's credibility to handle issues, how to handle the counselor's own emotions and various other tips for someone with a degree Counselor.
Regarding the comment about 'Counselors need to look good all the time'? according to him, it is true. But it is actually a virtue for counselors to always take care of themselves, to be the best for themselves. However, it is not a stipulation. Counselors are also ordinary human beings who also make mistakes, and the experience of those mistakes can also develop themselves and can be used as a guide in handling clients. If the counselor is in a state that is not ready (e.g. emotional), the client and the counselor have the right to refuse to continue the session; and the session can be referred to another counselor upon the client's consent. It is to avoid any negative impact if the session continues. Clarity and awareness of service limitations are also important in the counseling profession. Counselors need to often collaborate with other parties such as doctors, lawyers, religious officials, security officers and other experts for related issues. Counselors also need to constantly deepen and add knowledge according to current trends for a more effective session impact.

The target of involvement is for UPM citizens and all listeners on PUTRA FM Frenkuensi FM 90.7 MHz (Around Seri Kembangan) and UPM's Counseling Division Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bkupm).

His message for people who still lack confidence in a career as a Counsellor, counseling services are a service that is always needed. If you are interested in this profession, you can get views or opinions from existing counselors, or get views from clients (testimonials) who have had counseling sessions.

Date of Input: 29/09/2023 | Updated: 29/09/2023 | ayna