Do Career Counselors Really Help? Career Counseling and Career Coaching for Your Career Path

A career counselor is a professionally trained mental health provider with a variety of career development techniques and specific knowledge in supporting clients with vocational choices and career development. Whether you want to change your career or enter the workforce for the first time, a career counselor may help you establish career goals and face career challenges to work toward a fulfilling professional life.

What is career counseling? Do career counselors really help?

Many young adults meet with school counselors during high school or college who assist students as they transition into adulthood, in some cases, counselors may refer students to a specific major or training program to achieve career goals. Career counseling sessions can also help individuals at any stage of life understand or develop present or future career goals. They can guide individuals through personality and vocational assessments or educational programs and help them understand their unique skills and personality traits. 

Tools used in career counseling

For example, many career counselors use the Meyer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test. These providers might also utilize career development theory, which studies professional growth and the lifelong process of finding career success. Career development theory aims to fit job seekers with the best employment opportunities based on their interests, experience, and personality. 

Areas of support from a career counselor

A career counselor may meet with clients to discuss their career-related interests, concerns, personal issues, and work history. Their focus may involve assistance with the job search or higher education process, including seeking financial aid or locating additional training opportunities or classes that may allow you to move forward. In some cases, they could help the client develop networking skills, write a strong resume, or craft a tailored cover letter. For college graduates may also leverage alumni networks to enlist the help of other professionals.

Do career counselors really help?

Career counseling could benefit you if you feel unhappy with your current career or job, are starting out in the career force, have lost a job, or are thinking about changing careers . Career counselors can help individuals navigate their career options through one-on-one conversations, no matter their stage in life. Below are a few ways career counseling could offer you insight. 

Identifying needs

When someone first walks into a career counselor's office, they may provide assessments, discuss their experience, and outline their goals in career planning. A career counselor can look at you as a whole person instead of only through the lens of your past jobs and educational background. With this picture in mind, they can help you identify a realistic and fulfilling career path and help with decision-making throughout your career search. 

Finding the right career path with your career counselor

Feeling happy at work could have benefits and is an important part of many people’s career plans. In fact, recent research has shown that happy employees are more productive. According to Forbes, workers who are happy on their career paths are 20% more productive than those who aren't. 

When people know the career path they want to pursue, they may be drawn to it because it enhances their quality of life and feels consistent with their purpose in the world. Employers may prefer driven employees with positive attitudes, so recognizing your goals and feeling happy at your job could improve your performance. A career counselor can help you find happiness at work by offering relevant career suggestions. 

Tailored counseling to help you 

The career counseling process may include regular meetings with your career coach or counselor. A career counselor's role in assisting you often starts with a series of assessments. They may then analyze the results to determine your strengths and interests and the types of workplaces you could thrive. After assessments, the counselor may discuss your wants and needs to provide tailored advice.  

Career counselors often have diverse backgrounds. These professionals may have worked as vocational rehabilitation counselors, or they might have worked as guidance counselors in an academic setting or at various community agencies. A counselor is a licensed mental health professional who may also have a master's or doctorate degree in counseling. 

If they do not have a degree in job counseling, they may be a career coach, which is similar but cannot offer mental health treatment. A career counselor's role, where they work, and what they can help with may depend on their skill set and experiences. For example, as a student, you may want to speak with your school counselors about your career decisions, but as a working adult, you might benefit more from a general career coach or counselor. 

Vocational rehabilitation

Vocational rehabilitation is a type of career counseling for those with disabilities which may help with social development. These providers offer career counseling, training, financial support, or employment opportunities to those with disabilities who struggle to find options. Vocational rehab counselors work with clients with cognitive, intellectual, physical, or developmental disabilities. Some work in residential treatment centers, while others work in government offices and non-public practices. 

A vocational rehabilitation counselor can assess clients' abilities and help them find accommodations for their specific needs. The staff in a vocational rehabilitation agency work with the community and outside companies to provide appropriate training for people with disabilities. They may also help disabled persons get an interview and prepare for it. 

Help with application materials

Career counselors may provide some clients with resume creation and cover letter writing support, which is why career counseling for college students could be very helpful, giving them a good head start in the workplace. A client may come to them with job history and skills without knowing how to formulate them into words. A counselor can help these clients create a viable resume and cover letter. Clients who have used a similar resume throughout their life might also benefit from feedback on how to improve. 

Tailored help for resume writing

A professional counselor can advise you on amplifying your resume and making it stand out. Take advantage of your counselor's expertise. Your counselor can show you some sample templates if you don't have a resume. Career counselors may also provide interview tips or help you practice interviewing through a mock interview. 

If you're unsure how to answer these questions, career coaches may help you come up with responses or find an assessment to provide answers. 

Hidden strengths exercises 

You might not realize the areas where you excel until a career counselor points them out. Discovering these aspects of yourself can help you find work where you can thrive. Discovering your strengths could make you feel confident, professional, and ready to succeed in any workplace. 

You can also use the Bureau of Labor Statistic's career exploration guide to help you find a career based on your interests. On the BLS website, you'll find information on the job market, job outlooks, and other career resources to discuss with your counselor.

Self-love through work 

Whether you're on the road to a profession that you love or not sure what you want to do, career counseling may provide increased self-esteem. A research peer-reviewed study found that career counseling significantly increased life satisfaction and decreased career decision difficulties among study participants. Recent research has further demonstrated the benefits of career counseling, including building confidence. Finding the right career and figuring out your next step in life can be stressful. A professional on your side may reduce these symptoms, increasing self-love and confidence.  

Why career counseling can make an impact 

Career counselors have special training and must have a master’s degree in order to advise students or provide counseling services to adults. If you have ever resigned or been fired from a job, you may feel it was not a pleasant experience. Maybe the job was not a suitable fit for your skills or didn't provide you with adequate support or kindness. In some cases, individuals make mistakes at a job or may find they do not have the motivation to complete their duties. 

A common reason people may leave positions is a lack of passion or enjoyment. A career counselor may help you find a job that interests you within your skillset. They may help you discover a workplace environment where you want to show up every day and a job that incites optimism. 

Counseling options 

You may not have time for career counseling due to your current work schedule, schooling, parenting, or another time-consuming role. You might also feel that career counseling is too expensive and out of reach. In these cases, you can often find a career counselor online. 

Online counseling

Through an online platform, you can choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions to discuss your career goals. When you sign up, you can indicate your preference for a career-based counselor and leave a message for your potential therapist match. Once you are matched, you can often schedule a session that week. Research also shows promising results for the use of online career counseling. In a recent study, participants made significant gains in career adaptability and future orientation after participating in group career counseling online. Similar outcomes may be expected with individual career counseling. 

It can be possible to find support to pursue the career of your dreams and understand your vocational needs, and it's often cost-effective. Through a platform like BetterHelp, you can connect with one of 30,000 licensed professionals to discuss your career goals and learn more about your strengths, areas for growth, and potential avenues of success. Those interested in pursuing a therapist career or profession should seek specific assistance and education.