Any advice on becoming a careers adviser?

jeune13

Hi there.

My current role in mental health has really made me realise how much I enjoy structured 1:1 advice sessions. I was thinking originally about going into housing/benefits advice work, but careers advice giving seems to make more sense as it is a qualified profession and therefore seems more likely to offer real progression. However, the National Careers Advice website tells me starting salaries are £18k - shockingly low given that this is a postgraduate career. Does anybody know if this is common, or if starting salaries vary according to organisation? Also, might anybody know of any forums specifically for careers advisers to share advice on the realities of their profession?

Thanks a lot.

ACG

What qualifications do you need?

I remember my careers advisor, I would be surprised if they had GCSEs let alone anything higher.

missbiggles1

ACG wrote: »

What qualifications do you need?

I remember my careers advisor, I would be surprised if they had GCSEs let alone anything higher.

There's always a joker....

"Qualifications
Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree, HND or foundation degree in a sociological or educational related topic would be useful. In particular the following subjects may help:

counselling;
psychology;
social work;
teaching;
youth work.
Foundation degrees in working with young people and young people's services are available and may be useful to those who wish to work in schools or colleges.

The majority of employers will look for those who have, or who are willing to work towards, the Qualification in Careers Guidance (QCG). This combines theoretical academic study with practical work experience and takes one year full time or two years part time. The usual entry requirement is an undergraduate degree in any subject, but those without this qualification may still be considered if they can demonstrate an interest and commitment to the subject and perhaps some relevant experience."



https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/careers-adviser

saker75

It depends where you work.
I am a Director of a red brick careers service and pay my trainee staff circa £32k plus fully funded qualifications. The upper end of the salary scale is just under £50k.
For FE and local government type work, salaries are much lower.
But the work is also different. Whilst we provide one to one support most of the job is teaching or creating careers events.
Have a look at AGCAS For HE Careers or Institute of Careers Guidance for non HE.

depressed_but_determined

I've just started volunteering for the citizens advice. It will give you some great experience and a qualification at the end but its voluntary.

motorguy

I just find it ironic that you're looking career advice on how to become a careers adviser.

Not really a good start is it?

jeune13

motorguy wrote: »

I just find it ironic that you're looking career advice on how to become a careers adviser.

Not really a good start is it?

Why isn't it? We all research professions we are in the early stages of considering, and that includes asking questions. Or at least, I would hope so.

jeune13

saker75 wrote: »

It depends where you work.
I am a Director of a red brick careers service and pay my trainee staff circa £32k plus fully funded qualifications. The upper end of the salary scale is just under £50k.
For FE and local government type work, salaries are much lower.
But the work is also different. Whilst we provide one to one support most of the job is teaching or creating careers events.
Have a look at AGCAS For HE Careers or Institute of Careers Guidance for non HE.

Thanks a lot, that's really helpful. I had a web chat with someone from the National Careers Service yesterday, who I presume was a careers adviser but was unable to tell me anything beyond what was on the website, so those websites you mention are a breath of fresh air.

saker75

With HE you tend to have deeper guidance because of the intellectual nature of the students. In schools and non HE you spend lots of time talking CVs and dealing with unmotivated clients. You also often work to targets for work placement. In HE there is a greater emphasis on it being an impartial support service.

bugslet

I can't advise you, but from the other side of the fence, I went to see an independent careers advisor about ten years ago and found it a really helpful and useful consultation. It helped worked out my strengths and weaknesses.

I don't know if working for yourself would be something that you could look at?

Oddly, careers advisor was one of the things that I should be suitable for and it would have been something that would have interested me - I like to feel that I've helped people, but stuff like pschotherapy and the more mental health or counselling for failing marriages etc, would probably test my patience:o. Something a little more concrete would suit.

Wake_up_call

motorguy wrote: »

I just find it ironic that you're looking career advice on how to become a careers adviser.

Not really a good start is it?

Ha ha.

I thought the same.

No offence OP, but it does sound like you are saying "can you give me advice on how to give other people advice?".