Competencies of an entry-level career counsellor in higher education

Abstract

This applied research addressed the issue of competencies for entry-level practitioners in the profession of career counselling. It specifically addressed those competencies required for the industry sector of higher education, as distinct from general career counselling and that used in school settings. The research found that there has been progress toward documentation and agreement on competencies for career counsellors. However, there has been only limited work specific to the higher education sector. A survey of industry professionals was used to determine the status of 28 proposed competencies that were drawn from previous research using a nominal group method. The results indicate overwhelming endorsement of the majority of the competencies. Further research is required to enhance validity of the survey results and to begin work on the detail of performance criteria and elements underpinning the competencies.