Description
A careers adviser or career counsellor provides information, advice and guidance to help people make realistic choices about their education, training and work. They may deal with a range of people, from school children over the age of 13 up to adults who may want a career change or need help with further training.
Tasks:
1. Interviewing people one to one or in small groups to discuss career or education options
2. Identifying skills gaps and how to deal with them
3. Helping young people to draw up action plans for employment, education and training and supporting them to achieve these goals
4. Researching careers, options and support organisations to meet people's needs
5. Advising people on how to source relevant training courses or qualifications and what funding might be available
6. Providing advice on cv, applications, job hunting and interview techniques
7. Liaising and negotiating with other organisations on behalf of people
8. Using computer-aided guidance packages, skills assessment tools, career planners, psychometric tests and personal inventories
9. Writing careers literature or sourcing information products from elsewhere for use within the service
10. Planning and organising careers fairs and conventions
11. Keeping up to date with labour market information, legislation, and professional and academic developments by visiting employers, training providers and training events run by educational and professional bodies
Key skills for Career Counsellor:
United Kingdom: from £18,000 to £22,000 per year
United States of America: $56,830 per year
Australia: AU$ 58,554 per year
Qualifications and training required:
Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree, HND or foundation degree in a sociological or educational related topic would be useful. In particular the following subjects may help: social work; youth work; psychology; counselling; teaching.
Experience of working with young people or in advisory positions will be helpful when applying for jobs. Other customer service positions or roles where good communication skills were required will also be good experience.
To work with young people or vulnerable groups as a careers adviser you will need to undergo relevant criminal records checks. A driving licence is usually required. In some settings, such as rural outreach, you may need your own transport.
Tasks:
1. Interviewing people one to one or in small groups to discuss career or education options
2. Identifying skills gaps and how to deal with them
3. Helping young people to draw up action plans for employment, education and training and supporting them to achieve these goals
4. Researching careers, options and support organisations to meet people's needs
5. Advising people on how to source relevant training courses or qualifications and what funding might be available
6. Providing advice on cv, applications, job hunting and interview techniques
7. Liaising and negotiating with other organisations on behalf of people
8. Using computer-aided guidance packages, skills assessment tools, career planners, psychometric tests and personal inventories
9. Writing careers literature or sourcing information products from elsewhere for use within the service
10. Planning and organising careers fairs and conventions
11. Keeping up to date with labour market information, legislation, and professional and academic developments by visiting employers, training providers and training events run by educational and professional bodies
Key skills for Career Counsellor:
- A high level of communication and listening skills
- The ability to motivate and build a rapport with people
- Flexibility and adaptability
- An empathetic, non-judgmental and ethical approach
- The ability to work under pressure
- Organisational skills
- Problem-solving skills
United Kingdom: from £18,000 to £22,000 per year
United States of America: $56,830 per year
Australia: AU$ 58,554 per year
Qualifications and training required:
Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree, HND or foundation degree in a sociological or educational related topic would be useful. In particular the following subjects may help: social work; youth work; psychology; counselling; teaching.
Experience of working with young people or in advisory positions will be helpful when applying for jobs. Other customer service positions or roles where good communication skills were required will also be good experience.
To work with young people or vulnerable groups as a careers adviser you will need to undergo relevant criminal records checks. A driving licence is usually required. In some settings, such as rural outreach, you may need your own transport.
