Recipients and Non-Recipients of Career Counselling

Insights of Pakistani Professionals and Career Counsellors

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58341/srj.v2i4.40

Abstract

Career counselling is integral for high school students in shaping their future professional journey. Counsellors provide sessions encouraging healthy thought processes that could help make positive decisions regarding emotional and professional concerns. This qualitative research explored the perspectives of nine Pakistani professionals who had received career counselling as students and six professionals who had not received it and how successful they were in their professional lives. Additionally, this study examined the perceptions of five career counsellors regarding career counselling as a mandatory part of the school curriculum. Findings showed that most participants without career counselling could not decide what career pathways to choose because of a lack of guidance. In contrast, those who had received counselling were better prepared for professional lives and had successful careers. Moreover, counsellors consider that career counselling should be mandatory for guiding students to successful professional tracks. Therefore, this research posits that career guidance should be implemented in schools with clear policies monitored and accompanied by detailed career advice.

Keywords:

career counselling, curriculum, high school students, professional pathways

References

Abbasi, M. N., & Sarwat, N. (2014). Factors inducing career choice: Comparative study of five leading professions in Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Commerce and Social Sciences, 8(3),830–845. http://www.jespk.net/publications/211.pdf

Abubakar, I. A. (2018). Career guidance, participation of students and its implication for Kano, Nigeria. MOJES: Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Sciences, 1(3), 14-19.

Ackerman, C. E. (2020, October 16). What is self-awareness and why is it important? [+5 ways to increase it]. https://positivepsychology.com/self-awareness-matters-how-you-can-bemore-self-aware/

Akhter, N., Ali, M. S., Siddique, M., & Abbas, R. (2021). Exploring the Role and Importance of Career Counselling in Developing Awareness of Graduate Students’ Career Choices during Corvid 19. Multicultural Education, 7(11).

Akosah-Twumasi, P., Emeto, T. I., Lindsay, D., Tsey, K., &Malau-Aduli, B. S. (2018). A systematic review of factors that influence youths career choices—The role of culture.Frontiers in Education, 3, Article 58. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2018.00058

American Counseling Association. (2021). About Counseling. Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/about-us/about-aca

Arslan, Ü., &Kılınç, M. (2019). Important factors in vocationaldecision-making process. In T. Fidan (Ed.), Advancesin educational marketing, administration, and leadership(AEMAL): Vocational identity and career construction ineducation (pp. 58–77). Information Science Reference, IGIGlobal. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-7772-0.ch004

Barnes, S. A., Bimrose, J., Brown, A., Gough, J., & Wright, S. (2020). The role of parents and careers in providing careers guidance and how they can be better supported. United Kingdom: Warwick Institute.

Bilal, A., & Malik, R. K. (2014). Career counseling in Pakistan.Developing Country Studies, 4(16), 1–11. http://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/DCS/article/viewFile/14732/15091

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology.Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Cedefop. (2009). Professionalising career guidance: Practitionercompetences and qualification routes in Europe (CedefopPanorama Series, 164). Office for Official Publications of theEuropean Communities.

Chircu, S. (2014). Career counseling needs for students—A comparativestudy. Procedia—Social and Behavioral Sciences,127, 549–553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.03.308

Chukwuedo, S. O., Onwusuru, I. M., &Agbo, N. M. (2022). Practitioners’ vocational guidance with direct learning model: Influencing career commitment and employability in electrical/electronic technology education. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 22(1), 23-48.

Clayton, K., Wessel, R. D., McAtee, J., & Knight, W. E. (2019).KEY careers: Increasing retention and graduation rates withcareer interventions. Journal of Career Development, 46,425–439. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845318763972

Cojocariou, V. M., &Cojocariu, I. V. (2015). A study on raisingawareness of the students’ needs of career counselling.Procedia—Social and Behavioral Sciences, 180, 1058–1066.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.02.206

Cojocariu, V. M., &Puiu, M. (2014). Career counsellingpractices for university students. Procedia—Social andBehavioral Sciences, 149, 222–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.08.221

Corey, G. (2019). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Cengage Learning.

Crisan, C., Pavelea, A., &Ghimbulut, O. (2015). A need assessmenton students’ career guidance. Procedia—Social andBehavioral Sciences, 180, 1022–1029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.02.196

Dogar, A. H., Azeem, M., Majoka, M. I., Mehmood, A., & Latif,S. (2011). Need assessment of students’ guidance and counseling.British Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 1(2), 108–124.http://www.bjournal.co.uk/BJASS_1_2.aspxEuropean Commission. (n.d.). Guidance and counselling in highereducation. https://eacea.ec.europa.eu

Fouad, N. A., Kantamneni, N., Smothers, M. K., Chen, Y. L.,Fitzpatrick, M., &Teryy, S. (2008). Asian American careerdevelopment: A qualitative study. Journal of VocationalBehavior, 72, 43–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2007.10.002

Grote, D. (2015). The value of career coaching: Supporting clientsbeyond choosing a career. https://www.ncda.org

Guber, P. (2015). Self-awareness is the most important skill forcareer success.

Guest, G., Namey, E., & Chen, M. (2020). A simple method toassess and report thematic saturation in qualitative research.

PLOS ONE, 15(5), Article e0232076. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232076

Harris-Bowlsbey, J. (2013). Computer-assisted career guidancesystems: A part of NCDA history. The Career DevelopmentQuarterly, 61(2), 181–185. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/j.2161-0045.2013.00047.x

Hassan, H., Hussain, M., Niazi, A., Hoshino, Y., Azam, A., & Kazmi, A. S. (2022). Career Path Decisions and Sustainable Options. Sustainability, 14(17), 10501.

Hirschi, A., &Läge, D. (2007). The relation of secondary students’career-choice readiness to a six-phase model of career decisionmaking. Journal of Career Development, 34(2), 164–191.https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845307307473

Hofstede, G. H. (2001). Culture’s consequences: Comparing values,behaviors, institutions and organizations across nations (2nd ed.). SAGE.

Hooley, T. (2014). The evidence base on lifelong guidance: A guideto key findings for effective policy and practice (ELGPN ToolsNo. 3). Saarijarven Offset Oy. http://www.elgpn.eu

Hooley, T. and Dodd, V. (2015). The economic benefits of careerguidance. Careers England. Retreived from https://derby.openrepository.com/handle/10545/559030

International Labour Organization. (2018). World employmentsocial outlook. https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—dgreports/—dcomm/—publ/documents/publication/wcms_615672.pdf

Kavale, J. (2012). Needs and needs assessment in career guidanceand counselling: Lack of scientific exploration and justification?Indian Journal of Career and Livelihood Planning,1(1). http://www.iaclp.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/5_Kavale_IJCLP_11.238192150.pdf

Keshf, Z., & Khanum, S. (2021). Career Guidance and Counseling Needs in a Developing Country’s Context: A Qualitative Study. SAGE Open, 11(3), 21582440211040119.

Khan, S. B. (2010). Need assessment on the provision of guidanceservices at high school level in Pakistan. International Journal ofAcademic Research, 2(6), 483–486. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shahinshah-Babar-Khan/publication/258047449

Kochung, E., &Migunde, Q. (2011). Factors influencing careerchoices among secondary school students in Kisumu municipality,Kenya. Journal of Emerging Trends in EducationalResearch and Policy Studies, 2(2), 81–87.

Krueger, R., & Casey, M. (2009). Focus groups: A practical guidefor applied research (4th ed.). SAGE.

Kuijpers, M. A. C. T., &Scheerens, J. (2006). Career competenciesfor the modern career. Journal of Career Development, 32(4),303–319. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845305283006

Lent, W. R., & Brown, D. S. (2012). Understanding and facilitatingcareer development in the 21st century. In S. D. Brown & R.

W. Lent (Eds.), Career development and counselling: Puttingtheory and research to work (pp. 1–28). John Wiley.

Litoiu, N., &Oproiu, C. G. (2012, May). The need of careercounselling in universities: A competency—Based approach

[Paper presentation]. Scientific Research and Education inthe Workforce, Brasov, Romania. https://www.researchgate.net

Long, R., & Hubble, S. (2017). Careers guidance in schools, collegesand universities in England. http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7236/CBP-7236.pdf

Maree, J. G. (2020). Connecting conscious knowledge with subconscious advice through career construction counselling to resolve career choice indecision. South African Journal of Education, 40(Supplement 1), s1-s13.

Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform, Government ofPakistan. (2014). Pakistan vision 2025. https://www.pc.gov.pk/uploads/vision2025/Pakistan-Vision-2025.pdf

National Guidance Forum in Education, Careers and Employment.(2006). National forum for guidance in education, career and employment mission statement. http://www.forum-beratung.de/cms/upload/English/Mission_Statement_English.pdf

Pascual, N. T. (2014). Factors affecting high school students’ career preference: A basis for career planning program. International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research, 16(1), 1-14.

Perdrix, S., Stauffer, S., Masdonati, J., Massoudi, K., &Rossier, J.(2012). Effectiveness of career counseling: A one-year followup.Journal of Vocational Behavior, 80, 565–578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2011.08.011

Qurrat-ul-Ain, & Khattak, M. A. (2012). Need of guidance andcounselling services in private girls’ secondary schools inPeshawar city. City University Research Journal, 3(1). http://cusit.edu.pk/curj/Journals/Journal/July%202012/1%20(edu).pdf

Raouna, K. (2017, January 5). Choosing a career: The importanceof self-awareness. Career Addict. https://www.careeraddict.com

Rehill, J., Kashefpakdel, E. T., & Mann, A. (2017). Transitionskills (mock interview and C.V. workshops). What works?The Careers & Enterprise. https://www.careersandenterprise.co.uk

Rexhepi, G., & Berisha, B. (2017). The effects of emotional intelligencein employees’ performance. International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 18(4), 467–479. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBG.2017.084351

Richard, G. V. (2005). International best practices in career development:Review of the literature. International Journal forEducational and Vocational Guidance, 5, 189–201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-005-8799-9

Richmond, J. E. D. (2007). Bringing critical thinking to the educationof developing country professionals. International EducationJournal, 8(1), 1–29. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ841627

Robertson, P. J. (2013). The well-being outcomes of career guidance.British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 41(3), 254–266.https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2013.773959

Roy, P. (2020). Career Guidance: A Way of Life. Tathapi Multidisciplinary Journal.

Santos, A., Wang, W., & Lewis, J. (2018). Emotional intelligenceand career decision-making difficulties: The mediating role of career decision self-efficacy. Journal of Vocational Behavior,107, 295–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2018.05.008

Schedin, G. (2007). Expectations and experiences of career counselling: an exploration of interpersonal behaviour (Doctoral dissertation, Psykologi).

Sharif, N., Ahmad, N., & Sarwar, S. (2019). Factors influencingcareer choices. IBT Journal of Business Studies, 15(1), 33–45.

Retrieved from https://ssrn.com/abstract=3431911

Shen, F. C. (2015). The role of internalized stereotyping, parentalpressure, and parental support on Asian Americans choice of a major. Journal of Multicultural Counselingand Development, 23, 58–73. https://doi.org/10.1002/j2161.2015.00064.x

Shimoni, A., Gutentag, T., &Gati, I. (2019). Assessing career preferencecohesiveness. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 112,51–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2018.12.006

Sultana, R. G. (2004). Guidance policies in the knowledgeeconomy: Trends, challenges and responses across Europe:ACedefop synthesis report (Cedefop Panorama Series No.85). Publications Office of the European Union. http://www.cedefop.europa.eu

Sultana, R. G. (2012). Learning career management skills inEurope: A critical review. Journal of Education and Work,25(2), 225–248. https://doi.org/10.1080/13639080.2010.547846

Sun, V. J., & Yuen, M. (2012). Career guidance and counselingfor university students in China. International Journal forthe Advancement of Counselling, 34, 202–210. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-012-9151-y

United Nations. (2014). Mental health matters social inclusion ofyouth with mental health conditions (ST/ESA/352). https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/documents/youth/youth-mentalhealth.pdf

United Nations Development Programme. (2018). Human developmentindicators and indices: 2018 statistical update. www.hdr.undp.org

U.S. Department of Education. (2014). Career guidance and counselingprograms. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/cte/cgcp.html

Wang, Y. (2012). Education in a changing world: Flexibility, skills,and employability (69104). World Bank. http://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/zh/517491469672142098/pdf/691040WP00PUBL0ability0WEB050110120.pdf

Watkin, F. (2016). How can self-awareness benefit your career.Warwick Business School. https://www.wbs.ac.uk

Watts, A. G. (1978). Careers guidance in a developing country:Malaysia. International Journal for the Advancement ofCounselling, 1, 97–105. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00120923

Watts, A. G., &Fretwell, D. H. (2004). Public policies for careerdevelopment: Case studies and emerging issues for designing career information and guidance systems in developing andtransition economies (28598). World Bank. http://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/546071468763805157/pdf/285980PAPER0LLLDevelopingCntrs01public1.pdf

Watts, A. G., & Sultana, R. G. (2004). Career guidance policiesin 37 countries: Contrasts and common themes. International

Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 4, 105–122.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-005-1025-y

Wertz, F. (2005). Phenomenological research methods for counselingpsychology. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52(2), 167–177. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.52.2.167

Wong, L. P., & Yuen, M. (2019). Career guidance and counseling in secondary schools in Hong Kong: A historical overview. Journal of Asia Pacific Counseling, 9(1), 1-19

Yaqoob, U., Arif, F., Samad, M., & Iqbal, A. (2017). Careercounselling and its knowledge among high school students

in Pakistan. International Journal of Community Medicineand Public Health, 4(7), 2261–2268. http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20172817

Yuen, M., Yau, F. S., Tsui, J. Y., Shao, S. S., Tsang, J. C., & Lee, B. S. (2019). Career education and vocational training in Hong Kong: Implications for school-based career counselling. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 41(3), 449-467.

Zahid, G., Hooley, T., & Neary, S. (2020). Careers work in highereducation in Pakistan: Current practice and options for thefuture. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 48(4),443–453. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2019.1576030

Zubair, K. (2012). Career decision making: Career episodes offour postgraduate students in a private university in Karachi, Pakistan [Unpublished master’s thesis, Aga Khan University].https://ecommons.aku.edu/theses_dissertations/451/

Published

2023-10-31

How to Cite

Saya, A., & Habib, Z. (2023). Recipients and Non-Recipients of Career Counselling: Insights of Pakistani Professionals and Career Counsellors . Siazga Research Journal, 2(4). https://doi.org/10.58341/srj.v2i4.40

Issue

Section

Articles

Categories