Career Services Training Manual (Departmental Career Counsellors)

5.1 Departmental Career Counsellors/Desk Officers

Career officers/counsellors fulfil an important need on Institutions campuses and in higher education institutions. They may help students choose a discipline, find an internship, develop job interviewing skills and put together a resume. School career counsellors/desk officers also work with the school’s alumni when they want to change careers or simply find a new job. Career counselling officers customize their services to meet the needs of individual clients. Those who work in high institutions like us will focus more on students’ academic progress, while those who work in social service settings with adult clients will focus more on conducting job searches and assisting with interviewing. In short, career desk officers/counsellors act as advisors, coaches, confidants and instructors. They provide customized help to each student, tailored to meet each individual student’s needs and goals.

5.1.2 General Description

Generally, Career desk officers are responsible for the ongoing development, provision and delivery of a comprehensive range of career development activities in the areas of career decision-making, educational planning, professional school and continuing education, work search, and employment for students in the department. These activities include individual counselling, group counselling, psycho-educational groups, psychometric assessment, career-related curriculum development and instruction, workshops, online and print resource materials and consultations.

5.1.3 Responsibilities and Duties of Departmental Career Service Desk Officers/Counsellors

1. Providing career counselling and career development sessions for students in their department.
2. Developing career services programs in their respective department that will help students in the department in exploring and planning career options within the discipline and professional practice of the course.
3. Working with the departmental students on their needs for their career development in their disciplines.
4. Reviewing students’ personal and educational undertakings in the department and how the manifestation of these might inform their prospective job-related choices.
5. Preparing students for entrance to the employment market through guidance and support in resume development, CV, Personal statement, personal goals, interviewing, networking and effective job search techniques
6. Coordinating with academic/class advisors in the department to help students in making career choices based on their academic majors in the department
7. Researching and analysing current employment trends in various industries related to the discipline of study in the department.
8. Educating students in the department on resume building techniques, interview skills, and professionalism.
9. Conducting mock interviews and job search workshops for students in the department in conjunction with the centre.
10. Conducting career awareness events and job fairs for students with the centre.
11. Executing outreach programs to promote career services among students with the centre.
12. Maintaining a database of student academic and employment records and forwarding such information to the centre.
13. Working collaboratively with other staff within the department and within the polytechnic to meet students’ needs in an effective manner.