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
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