Career Counselling UK: What To Know About Receiving Education And Career Guidance
When navigating your education and career path seems overwhelming, career counselling can offer valuable support to help you make informed decisions. Whether you’re a young person exploring options for the first time or an experienced professional considering a career change, there are a range of resources in the UK to help guide you. Here, you’ll learn what career counselling is, how it can help, how to receive career counselling services, and some career advice to get you started.
What does a career counsellor do?
Career counsellors provide guidance to those who are looking for help making decisions about their career path. They may also be known by titles like careers advisor, career consultant, career coach, career development practitioner, or someone who provides career management services. Career counselling may help a young person who is just beginning their career, for example, or offer support to someone interested in a career change. A career counsellor might provide support with:
- Identifying career goals: helping people explore their interests, strengths, values, and experiences to identify suitable career paths and set realistic objectives
- Offering educational advice: assisting clients in choosing courses, universities, training programs, or qualifications that align with their career aspirations
- Providing job-search strategies: coaching on up-to-date best practices for CV writing, interview skills and preparation, job application techniques, filling out a job feedback form, and using professional networking websites
- Navigating career transitions: supporting those looking to change industries, switch jobs, advance in their current role, or return to work after a break
- Offering personalized support: addressing challenges like workplace stress or dissatisfaction, lack of motivation, or work-life balance concerns
These professionals generally hold relevant qualifications in areas like career guidance, counselling, psychology, and/or human resources. The Career Development Institute (CDI) is the professional body that oversees this field in the UK. Before hiring a career coach or counsellor, you might consider finding out whether they’re registered with the CDI.
Resources for career counselling in the UK: the National Careers Service and more
There are a variety of career counselling resources available in the UK, from government programs to independent consultancy services. If you are facing important decisions about your professional future, the following resources may be helpful.
The National Careers Service
If you are seeking career guidance, the National Careers Service (NCS) may be a good starting point. You might begin by taking their free skills assessment to see what types of careers may suit you. From there, you can explore the education and career pathways that align with your strengths and preferences. The NCS also offers free careers advice by phone or live chat.
University career services
Most universities in the UK offer dedicated career services to support students and graduates. These offices often provide personalized career advice, personality matching, job search support, CV and interview workshops, and connections to internships or graduate programs. If you are finishing your education or recently graduated, your university’s careers center may help you transition smoothly into the workforce.
An independent career counsellor
An independent career counsellor offers a level of personalization and flexibility that is often beyond what free services can provide. Independent career counselling generally costs between £50 to £150 per hour, with many counsellors offering packages that include multiple sessions and other resources. Your career counsellor can provide individualized guidance based on your unique strengths, goals, and challenges.
Online counselling platforms
Online counselling platforms can be a valuable resource for those seeking career advice. Some platforms are designed specifically for career guidance and coaching. Mental health counselling platforms like BetterHelp might also be a worthwhile option for addressing career-related stress, decision-making anxiety, self-confidence issues, and other psychological aspects of your career journey.
Career coaching vs. career counselling: What's the difference?
While the terms are often used interchangeably, career coaching and career counselling are distinct approaches to professional development that focus on different aspects of the professional journey.
- Career coaching is action-oriented, emphasizing goal-setting, performance improvement, and achieving specific outcomes, such as landing a job or promotion. People who are already established in their careers or have a particular role in mind often benefit from meeting with a career coach.
- Career counselling helps individuals identify suitable career paths. A career counsellor might use skills assessments, psychometric tests, or career interest inventories to help clients make decisions about their education, training, or future career opportunities. Young people as well as those seeking a career change often benefit from seeing a career counsellor.
Tips for choosing an education and career path
Choosing a career path is a significant decision. While it can feel overwhelming, approaching these choices with open-minded curiosity can help. Try to keep your strengths, interests, and desires top of mind as you research your options and create a plan. Remember, professional support is available if you need advice, resources, or guidance.
1. Assess your interests and strengths
Start by identifying what you enjoy and excel at. First, you might consider your interests, such as hobbies, subjects you enjoyed in school, or causes you’re passionate about. Then, reflect on your skill set. This might include hard skills, such as math, languages, or computers, and soft skills, like communication or problem-solving. A skill or career assessment or personality inventory may be helpful at this stage.
2. Research career options and industries
Next, research different industries, career fields, and jobs. You might use professional networking sites to see other people’s jobs, career history, and educational background. You could also look at job search websites to see available roles and their salary ranges. Universities often have helpful information about careers that align with the different degree programs they offer as well.
3. Consider training and education requirements for your career goals
Once you have a career path in mind, you can start researching the qualifications needed to achieve your goals. This might include A-levels, diplomas, university courses, professional certifications, or licenses. Once you understand the education and training required for your career path, you may be in a good position to look for programs that align with your needs and aspirations.
4. Gain experience through internships and volunteering
Work experience placements, internships, and volunteer opportunities can offer valuable hands-on experience in your chosen field. They may help you develop practical skills, build a professional network, and gain insight into the day-to-day realities of your future career. These experiences can also enhance your CV and make you a more competitive candidate when you begin applying to universities or jobs.
5. Stay flexible and open to change
Your interests, goals, and circumstances may evolve over time, so it helps to remain open-minded and embrace new possibilities and opportunities. It’s always possible to change direction. Even if you have already made progress toward your original goal, the skills and experiences you’ve gained could help impress potential employers and contribute to your future success.
6. Seek advice from a qualified provider of career counselling UK
Whether you are just starting out or seeking to change careers, a career counsellor may be able to help. They can offer personalized guidance as you navigate the decision-making process and can also help you find relevant courses, programs, or opportunities that align with your career goals. With a career counsellor, you can expect to get help working on a tailored career plan with actionable steps towards your long-term goals.
Preparing for career counselling: what to expect
Career counselling sessions are intended to help you explore possible career options, so it’s okay if you don’t have any goals in mind before your first appointment. In your initial consultation, your career counsellor may ask about your interests, strengths, skills, and previous work or educational experiences. You might also complete assessments to help you narrow down your career options.
Be prepared to discuss any life goals you might have, such as completing university or working abroad. It’s often helpful to bring relevant documents, like your CV or academic transcripts, in case your career counsellor wants to review them with you. Most importantly, try to approach the session with an open mind and a willingness to explore new possibilities, as this can help you get the most out of the experience.
Mental health support for navigating life transitions
In addition to speaking with a career counsellor, it may be advisable to talk to a professional counsellor who specializes in mental and emotional challenges that could impact the decision-making process. Choosing the right career path for you can seem daunting, and it’s not uncommon for people to experience anxiety, stress, or self-doubt related to their professional prospects.
A mental health professional can offer valuable skills for coping with these thoughts and feelings. They might also help you work through any past experiences or current challenges that may be affecting you. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one talk therapy approach that’s well-supported by research and may help you identify and change negative thoughts contributing to anxiety, self-doubt, or fear of failure in your career journey.
Research suggests that therapies like CBT can often be equally effective whether delivered online or face-to-face. With a platform like BetterHelp, you can attend weekly virtual therapy sessions via phone, video, or live chat and also take advantage of a range of tools and features designed to help you get the most out of counselling. To get started with online therapy, you can take a short questionnaire about your needs and preferences online. You can then get matched with a counsellor accordingly so you can begin scheduling sessions.
Takeaway
Career counselling can be a valuable service for those looking to explore or change career paths. UK residents have a range of options to explore, including the National Careers Service, student careers counselling services, independent consultants, and online platforms. If the decision-making process feels overwhelming, it may also be worth talking to a mental health counsellor for support.
Frequently asked questions
When should I consider career coaching?
You might consider career coaching if you have specific goals, such as landing a job, advancing in your career, or improving workplace performance. Career coaching is often ideal for focused, action-oriented guidance tailored to your professional aspirations.
What if I’m unsure about my career path after finishing university?
If you’re unsure about your career path after university, consider seeking guidance from a career counsellor. They can help you assess your strengths, explore potential industries, and create a clear plan for your next steps.
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