Postgraduate courses in Careers Advice Work

There are many people who simply cannot figure out what the right career path for them is. Be it too many options or just not knowing where their true interests and passions lie, there are many people who need career advice. 

That’s where a Careers Advisor comes in. Could that be you? Are you interested in helping people figure out their next career move and help to figure out information about themselves they might not even know yet? If so, keep reading. You might find the postgraduate course you’re looking for right here.

What is career advice work?

Career advice work involved guiding people in order to help shape their careers. You will help people to gain a better understanding of their personalities, interests and wishes for their future to help guide them and advise them when they may be struggling to figure it out on their own. 

Your aim is to help people to make the right decision for them whether they are leaving school and trying to figure out a course to study or direction to go or if someone is deciding later in life that they’d like to make a career switch. You will help to lay out a map to make things a little clearer for those who seek your help as well as assess their personality through a personality test and use the results to try figure out the right thing to do.

There are opportunities to work for others or to be self employed. The work is mostly office based and may require flexible hours, depending on your exact employment. 

Courses

There are courses on offer in the area across the UK. Some courses offer the opportunity to study either part time or full time. Universities may have certain restrictions in place due to Covid-19 and may offer courses online. The majority of courses available under this heading are related to landscaping. Courses available include:

Career Guidance and Development (PgDip)

In a postgraduate course like this one you will be equipped with the relevant skills and knowledge to be able to support clients in navigating their careers such as career development, their employment and their education. You will become familiar with coaching and counselling practices that will help your clients. Modules include Contemporary Guidance Practice, Career Development Theory, Career Counselling, Coaching and Development and more. 

Careers Development and Management

Courses in this area aim to provide you with the relevant career guidance practitioner skills such as interviewing and developing career learning opportunities for clients while also designing and providing advice and insight. Labour Market Information, Placement Practice, Organisation Management and Models of Career Guidance Intervention are all modules of key focus. 

Other courses available include multiple courses in different colleges and universities with the title Career Development as well as Career Development and Coaching Studies, Career Coaching and Counselling and Career Development Theories. While a lot of courses have the same titles, it is important to note that they may differ in their modules and specific content covered so be sure to carry out research to make sure you pick the right course for you. 

Entry requirements 

Entry requirements may differ from course to course or university to university. Therefore, it is important to research your specific course in detail to ensure you meet the entry requirements. As these courses are postgraduate courses, you will need a bachelor’s degree. Some courses may accept a 2.2 degree while others will require a 2.1 in a related area. 

Related Jobs

• Careers advisor
• Secondary teacher
• School Inspector
• Principal

Salary 

Your salary will be dependent on your employment type and possibly even your experience in some cases. It is believed your salary will generally begin around £21,000  as a career advisor. The more experience you gain your salary will increase close to £28,000. In higher or managerial roles, you could earn close to £35,000. All figures are based on estimates and are intended to be used as guides only. 

Potential employers

Potential employers in this area include:

• Schools
• College
• Universities
• Local employment services
• Private practices

Skills and requirements 

Skills and requirements helpful in this area include:

• Excellent communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• The ability to work well with others
• Time management skills
• A good listener 
• Organisation skills
• Attention to detail
• Excellent writing skills
• Observant
• Critical thinker
• An analytical mind
• Confidence