Counsellor Practices and Student Perspectives: Perceptions of Career Counselling in Australian Secondary Schools

Abstract

A u s t r a l i a n J o u r n a l o f C a r e e r D e v e l o p m e n t Vo l u m e 5 , N u m b e r , Au t u m n 2 0 0 6 I ncreasing focus by both state and federal governments in Australia on the post-school outcomes of students has resulted in a range of developments and policies. These have been aimed at attracting and retaining students in educational settings and equipping them to make choices about their future career and education. The Queensland Certificate of Education (Queensland Studies Authority, 2006) and the Youth Participation in Education and Training ActThe voices of secondary school students describing their experiences of school-based career counselling services are reported and discussed. Arising from the students' narratives and school-based career counsellors' descriptions of their services, a continuum of service delivery is conceptualised that highlights features of career service delivery models valued by students. Consistent with international research, the valued school career counsellors were those reported by students to spend the majority of their time with individuals and small groups.2003 (Education Queensland, 2003) are examples of state initiatives targeting young people in their final years of secondary study that structure planning for study and post-school options within a specific and prescriptive framework. The Australian federal government's Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) is actively involved in research into, and the shaping of, careers education in schools. It is involved in running pilot programs on a range of at Monash University on June 15, 2015 acd.sagepub.com Downloaded from

What Secondary School Career Advisors in New Zealand Know about Pharmacy and How that Knowledge Affects Student Career Choices

“…12,19 Career advisors can play an important role in students' career decisions and the information they provide to students can influence their potential career choices. 7,9,10 Our study indicated that almost two thirds of respondents had received requests about pharmacy as a career in the previous 5 years. Therefore, having accurate, informative resources about pharmacy courses and career paths easily accessible to career advisors is essential.…”

“…3,5,7 Furthermore, students themselves have reported that career advisors are a useful resource when it comes to career decision-making. [7][8][9][10][11] Not surprisingly, students prefer career advisors who are proactive in seeking them out, rather than career advisors who rely on students to initiate contact with them. 10 Students also prefer career advisors who adopt a student-centered approach, although information-centered approaches, which include written materials and group talks, are also valued.…”

“…10 Students also prefer career advisors who adopt a student-centered approach, although information-centered approaches, which include written materials and group talks, are also valued. [8][9][10] Alexander and Fraser found that while career advisors had access to information on universities and health courses, they lacked access to motivational activities such as visits from undergraduates and local health professionals, health career days, and workshops. 12 In New Zealand, it is compulsory for students to attend school from age 6 to 16.…”

“…[7][8][9][10][11] Not surprisingly, students prefer career advisors who are proactive in seeking them out, rather than career advisors who rely on students to initiate contact with them. 10 Students also prefer career advisors who adopt a student-centered approach, although information-centered approaches, which include written materials and group talks, are also valued. [8][9][10] Alexander and Fraser found that while career advisors had access to information on universities and health courses, they lacked access to motivational activities such as visits from undergraduates and local health professionals, health career days, and workshops.…”

“…13 Internationally, the role of career advisors varies, depending on school policy and individual attitudes about how they should fulfil their position. 9,10,[12][13][14] This study aimed to explore what career advisors in New Zealand knew about the pharmacy profession, how they obtained that knowledge, and their potential influence on students' decisions to study pharmacy.…”