‘I’ll have a bit of both, please’: when students can’t choose between subjectsChoosing a degree course is like ordering from a menu: some students will know exactly what they want; others would prefer an all-you-can-eat buffet
How university partnerships can offer hands-on experience for studentsBy partnering with universities, counsellors can give students a taste of academic life – and can bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application
How to set up a structured alumni programmeAs counsellors, we want students to realise their academic and career ambitions – and a formal alumni programme can help them see how this is done
Counsellor resource: developing an elective module for university prepA school in Brazil has created an elective module for students to prepare them to apply to universities abroad and settle into life in a new country
Why we should rethink the term ‘safety schools’Students typically categorise their university choices into ‘reach’, ‘match’ and ‘safety‘ – but is it time we replace the term ‘safety school’ with something else?
How to set up a work-experience programmeWork experience provides students with practical experience, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application
‘I want to be a doctor, but I don’t have the grades’: how to advise studentsYour student’s heart is set on a career as a doctor but their grades don’t match their ambitions. All is not lost: there is a range of options for them to consider
Counselling activity: “Me in 10 Years’ Time”This counselling activity asks students to close their eyes and imagine themselves in a decade’s time – what do they want their working lives to look like?
Counselling activity: University preparation weekA university preparation week for Year?12 students can cover everything from managing money and cooking bolognese sauce to considering best fit
How the liberal arts can help with career readinessLooking to help your students find their competitive edge in a complex job market? Huron University’s Linea Dacosta addresses an important topic students and their parents should not overlook.
How to create a values-based careers dayRather than championing conventional career success, a pathways and possibilities day invites stories of personal struggle, squiggly careers and significant pivots
Counselling activity: the hero’s journeyThis counselling activity helps students to identify patterns and themes in their life, and to gain insight into their strengths, passions and values
Why understanding a student’s context mattersOur students all grow up in different environments – and are formed by those environments. Awareness of these wider contexts should inform our counselling
How to plan a careers fair: a step-by-step guideCareers fairs are a useful way to educate students and to involve parents and local community members in school life – but they take a lot of careful planning
Debunking the Gen Z myth: a guide for school counsellorsGen Z students are often misunderstood, but a new report from Duolingo reveals their true attitudes to social media and global issues
Applying to study occupational therapy in the UK: a comprehensive guideMany students won’t have heard of occupational therapy – but it’s a competitive course, so in-depth research and preparation is vital
How to help SEND students with university applicationsFor students with special educational needs and disabilities, the university application process presents unique challenges – and counsellors play a vital role
Counselling activity: how to run counselling sessions as mock interviewsMock interviews are a useful way to prepare for forthcoming university interviews – but they can also help assess a student’s fit for a particular field
Why counsellors should prepare students for life after high schoolCounsellors help students with academic planning, essay writing and choice of university – but their job doesn’t end when students hit ‘submit’ on university applications
How to help students plan a meaningful gap yearMeaningful, structured gap years are periods of time designated for exploration and personal growth – and can help prepare students for university
Counselling activity: best fit is a two-way streetThis interactive group activity encourages students to think about what they want from their university experience – and what a university might want from them
Why psychology might not be the subject of students’ dreamsThere is often a need to unravel with students how studying psychology at university differs from doing a personality quiz on TikTok or watching Inside Out 2
Counsellor resource: how guided journalling can focus students’ thoughtsGuided journalling can encourage students to think about what matters to them about going to university – and how they can set about achieving it
Archaeology, anthropology and Classics: what your students need to knowArchaeology, anthropology and Classics can lead to a range of careers – but inconsistency in naming courses can make it hard for students to work out which degree is which
‘I started a new job mid-year, and had to write recommendations for students I hadn’t met’Starting at a new school mid-year can be challenging – especially when faced with tasks that require in-depth understanding of students you haven’t met yet
How to create a future pathways programmeAs counsellors are increasingly referring to themselves are future pathways coordinators, Ruth McAteer shares how to set up a future pathways programme at your school
Counsellor resource: a journey of self-discoveryIntegrating online career exploration platforms into regular counselling sessions and one-to-one meetings can help students find their career path
Counsellor resource: using Universal Design to make learning accessible to allCounsellors can use the principles of Universal Design to ensure that their lessons and presentations are accessible to all students
‘Why I always tell my students that I didn’t intend to become a counsellor’Rachel Doell is an accidental counsellor: she actually wanted to become a doctor. But careers are not always linear – it can take time to find the right job
How climbing a mountain can help students apply to universityTaking students on a challenging outdoor adventure is not just a physical journey, but also a metaphorical journey towards their future goals
Counsellor resource: effective communication with parentsUsing these techniques to effectively communicate with parents and other stakeholders can help to improve relationships
Exploring the art of counselling and mentoringCounsellors are uniquely positioned to help students fulfil their potential by identifying mentorship opportunities or serving as mentors themselves
Counsellor resource: how to be a mapmaker when there is no mapThese three steps can be adapted to help counsellors in any advising scenario
Architecture: scrapping the seven-year mythYes, training to practise as an architect can take seven years – but plenty of jobs are available for graduates of a three- or four-year degree in architecture
Why counsellors need to take care of businessAs university counsellors, we often hear our students say they want to study ‘business’ – but what do they really mean by that?
Supporting HALI students in TogoA programme in Togo provides high-achieving, low-income students with the resources and guidance to continue their education
Money makes the world go around – but it won’t motivate your studentsBeing a counsellor is not just about the short-term goal of getting students into university – it’s also about helping them to find satisfaction in their future careers
Counsellor resource: Empowering the community for a cohesive goalSchool counsellors can connect with the school and local community to ensure that all students reach their goal
Counsellor resource: How to help students identify their ‘why’Too often, students are asked ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’, but perhaps that isn’t the right question. Instead, asking them to identify what issues they believe in and what brings them joy might help them to identify their career paths
Why are students so reluctant to consider engineering degrees?Students are often interested in the work that engineers do – but find the E-word offputting. How can counsellors change their mind?
Key career theories – and how counsellors can use themCareer-development and guidance theories underpin much of the work that counsellors do – but they can have limitations as well
Four ways to incorporate university careers services into your counselling toolkitCounsellors can look to university careers services when helping students choose universities and, ultimately, understand what their return on investment might be
Counselling activity: remember to duckWhat can origami paper ducks teach students about future career options? Rather a lot, it turns out
Are personality tests a helpful tool for counsellors?As counsellors, one of our responsibilities is to get to know our students. Could these personality tests help?
Applying for art and design courses: what counsellors need to knowWorking with students on applications for art and design courses can be enjoyable and challenging – and a refreshing change from reviewing personal statements
College counselling: the Netflix seriesHigh school counselling can be like the unfolding plot of a Netflix series. So what are the central themes of each season?
What’s the value of a history degree? Debunking the myths and misconceptions Many students believe that a history degree will limit them to a teaching career on graduation. Rebecca Jennings from UCL states the many reasons why a history degree has good earning potential and teaches key skills that all employers are looking for
Counselling resource: “Finding Fit” class activitySamantha Caras uses her “Finding Fit” activity to help students better understand the concept of best fit – and she learns something new every time, too
A guide to essential statistics for counsellorsThe university application process is filled with data. In order to provide informed guidance, counsellors need a basic understanding of statistics
Applying to study law: what your students need to knowLaw is a highly transferable, sought-after degree – but applying to study law involves more than just watching back episodes of Suits
Counselling activity: Career Exploration DayCareer Exploration Day is a classroom activity designed to help students fuse multiple academic subjects into different professions
Is a university degree necessary for future success?Students assume that apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships are for the less academically able – but they provide exactly the skills that employers are looking for
Why it’s OK for students not to know what they want to doGeneralists tend to explore widely, take on failure and gain confidence in who they are – all traits we should be encouraging in our students
Help your students follow their passion – and find their ikigaiThe Japanese concept of ikigai refers to something that gives a person value, joy and a sense of purpose in life. How can we help our students find theirs?
How to plan student visits to university campusesWith nearly 30,000 universities around the world, it can be difficult for students to know which ones to apply to – which is why visiting some of them can be helpful
Big city? Beach town? How to help students find the right universityJust as wearing a poorly fitting pair of shoes is an uncomfortable experience, so students will find it uncomfortable attending a university that isn’t the best fit for them
Four steps to creating a community-based work-shadowing programmePreparing students for the professional world is crucial – and where better to start than with your school’s community network?
How the psychology of decision making can help students choose universitiesChoosing which universities to apply to is one of the biggest decisions of our students’ lives. How can we use psychological research to help them with it?
Six tips for implementing a social-emotional learning approachOne of the best ways to be an effective counsellor is to implement a social-emotional learning approach. But how do you do this?
What is the purpose of higher education?Counsellors, students and parents can have very different ideas about what higher education should achieve. Can those ideas be reconciled?
How can you help students find their best-fit university?The vast array of university options can leave students afraid of making the wrong decision. How do you bring order to the chaos?
Why are university visits necessary?University visits involve welcoming representatives from colleges and universities to your high school to speak to students. But what do they actually achieve?
How to help third-culture kids set down rootsStudents whose passport country is different from their country of residence often have unique needs and considerations. How can you best support them?
How to futureproof your students’ choicesIncreasing students’ awareness of the skills they will need for their future careers helps to prepare them better for success at university, says Alan Perkins
Why your students should consider the road less travelledMost students follow a well-trodden path – but there are alternative routes that may be better suited to helping them achieve their goals. Arjumand Rafiq considers the benefits of veering off the beaten track
How to incorporate sustainability into your counselling conversationsClimate change will have an impact on the skills required in the future and will lead to the creation of new careers. It’s time green guidance became part of the counsellor’s job, says Khushboo Bedi
What does a university counsellor actually do?Counsellors occupy an important and unique place in school life – but what does their job actually involve?
I work in university admissions – can I become a counsellor?Five tips to help people working in university admissions cross over to the other side and start counselling high school students
Are you a facilitator, a guide or a seed-sower?Each is a different type of counselling role – and it’s not unusual for counsellors to move between each of them, depending on context and time of year
Why working as a teacher can enhance your counsellingDoubling as a classroom teacher offers counsellors a range of opportunities to boost students’ university application chances by stealth
Five things I learned in my first year as a university counsellorDuring her first year in the job, Cheong Yi Teng's understanding of the purpose and impact of university counselling has been completely transformed
‘How I transformed my counselling with a six-letter word’A set of strategies contained in the acronym ‘Uplift’ enabled Adeola Arofin to manage the annual counselling cycle alongside other deadlines and responsibilities
How to set up a new counselling department from scratchSetting up a brand new counselling department is exciting – but also potentially daunting. How do you go about it?
How to move from working with one university system to working across severalRachel McCann used to send all her students to universities in the UK – so switching to international counselling was a significant step. Here’s how she managed it
What should you do if you’re feeling stagnant in your job?You’ve supported cohorts of students with their applications. You’ve organised university fairs. You’ve attended conferences. What next?
Leadership: how experienced counsellors can mentor new counsellorsAs counsellors progress through their careers, the way they mentor and encourage young counsellors can have a positive impact on the wider counselling team
How do I do the job of three people?In Cameroon, counsellors are supposed to work closely with 300 pupils. But a shortage of counsellors means that they’re more likely to be working with 900
CPD: Where are the best places to find professional development opportunities for counsellors?The right CPD enables counsellors to keep up with sector trends, enhance their knowledge and support students more effectively
Bridging gaps: a counsellor’s guide to thriving in international educationCounsellors will often have to move abroad and learn new languages and a new culture. These tips can help counsellors to bridge those gaps and assimilate into a new place
CPD: How to find and focus on your strengthsRecognising your own strengths allows counsellors to tailor CPD activities accordingly. These tools can help you identify the areas where you excel
Nine points to consider when taking a job internationallyCounsellors spend a lot of time advising students on how to find their best-fit destinations – but ‘best fit’ can apply equally to job-hunting counsellors, too
Mistakes I made as a counsellor – so you don’t have toThe path to becoming an effective university counsellor inevitably involves mistakes. What are some of the common ones?
Taking a job off the beaten track? Here are some tipsWorking in remote or less-touristed areas can be challenging – but also exhilarating and rewarding, as long as you learn to expect the unexpected
How to progress in your career as a school counsellorNew and experienced counsellors alike might be looking for new challenges and the opportunity to develop new skills – but where should you begin?
Considering a career in counselling? Here’s what you need to knowAre you thinking of training to be a university counsellor? Here’s the information and resources you need to get started
Counselling isn’t about knowledge – it’s about relationshipsAs a counsellor, it’s easy to feel as though you’re the only person guiding students to their destinations. But is it up to you to have all the information?
Who do school counsellors work for?In order to do our jobs to the best of our ability, school counsellors must first define who we are doing it for, says Deborah Mason Pontual
How school counsellors can keep learningCounsellors should never stop learning and growing, no matter how experienced they are. David Hanna offers some tips on staying ahead of emerging trends