What Is Career Counseling? And How to Know When You Need It

Career counseling is a service intended to help people begin, change, or advance their careers. It can include one-on-one conversations between a counselor and a career seeker, as well as assessments, activities, and projects designed to help career seekers maximize their strengths.

A career counselor is similar to a career coach in that professionals in both roles can help you navigate your career path and understand your career goals. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, professionals may identify themselves as one or the other and describe their services in specific ways.

Career counselors may have degrees in psychology, counseling, or human development. In contrast, career coaches may have certifications or education in specific fields they coach people to enter. Another difference you may come across is in the nature of the career support, with counselors helping you with career exploration and coaches helping you with specific career-related steps.

What does a career counselor do?

Whether you are a learner, a recent grad, or at the midpoint of your career trajectory and thinking about a change, career counseling could help you make sound decisions for your professional journey.

Some things you can expect to work on during career counseling sessions include the following:

Assessing your strengths, skills, education, and experience
Bringing your desires and dreams to the surface
Identifying areas of untapped potential
Considering various career options
Exploring industry trends and hiring practices
Researching job listings and employers
Preparing for interviews
Enhancing your resume
Drafting
Finding your first job or changing careers
Charting a rewarding career path

Considering the expected job growth across industries, from the arts to health care, as well as exciting technological advancements in many fields, now might be a great time for you to pursue career counseling. That way, you can explore your potential with the guidance of a skilled mentor and prepare yourself for an ever-changing professional landscape.

4 signs that career counseling is right for you

You should consider various factors before hiring a career counselor, including the cost of counseling, the experience, and the outcomes you can expect.

The following signs may mean that getting a career counselor is a viable next step for you:

1. You are about to take a career leap.

Entering a new career phase can be an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. For example:

Choosing a major can mean enjoying the coursework and learning about subjects you find interesting, but what careers will a given major lead to?

Graduating from college or university could qualify you for many careers, but what if you want to pursue a career that is unrelated to your degree?

Changing careers entirely could provide you with improved work-life balance, better pay, and fulfillment, but what new skills will a new career require?

Launching a business could mean working on your own terms, but what financial risks will you be taking on?

If you’re about to take a similar leap, you might be a good candidate for a career counseling program, as working with a counselor can boost your confidence when making decisions.

2. You are reflecting on your passions and purpose.

Do you find yourself thinking about what you’re passionate about and what you want to achieve in life? Do you wonder what careers would enable you to explore your passions? If so, you may benefit from working with a career counselor to learn more about the following:

How to turn a creative pursuit into a career
How to improve
How to explore your passion in any professional role
How to make career decisions based on your values, belief systems, and life philosophy

3. You want a more focused mentoring experience.

From reading books to meeting with industry professionals, you have various means of taking solo initiative with your career journey. A few ways to get career support include the following:

Taking group classes alongside other career seekers

Reading books on professional development

Hiring a mentor in another discipline, such as a life coach or emotional intelligence coach

Mastering technical skills and acquiring experience pertaining to a specific career

Conducting informational interviews with people who work in the industry or career field you want to enter.

As you glean wisdom from these sources, you may want to have more in-depth conversations about your career and pointed guidance as to what actions to take. If that’s the case, it may be time to find a career counselor.

4. You are making space in your life for counseling.

Depending on the counselor you find, going through a career counseling program will likely involve investing time, energy, and resources. If you’re making space in your life for counseling, you may be ready to take this step.

Take some time to evaluate the following: