Any advice on becoming a careers adviser?

jeune13

bugslet wrote: »

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.

I have seen advisers of variable quality, and it has really made me wish to become the type of adviser I wish I'd been able to see when I was younger. My teaching and support work experience has also made me realise how rewarding I find structured 1:1 work. Counselling/psychotherapy is also something that interests me, but I think I'm way priced out of the training.

jeune13

Wake_up_call wrote: »

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?".

Oh, the irony of an insinuation of contradictions from one who uses the phrase, "No offence, but..."!

Detroit

There are charities that give careers advice, sometimes to specific groups of people, young people, long term unemployed, people with mental health issues for example, and most offer volunteering opportunities.
This is a great way to decide if it's for you, and to get experience to move into paid work in this field.
You can find out about opportunities in your area at your local council for voluntary services.

xapprenticex

ex adviser here, if you think it is something you will like you may find that the reality of the job erodes your enthusiasm in that field. If you are ok with relentless targets all year every year and pointless meetings every day then maybe you'll be okay. In my case, the staff made it enjoyable, so hope you get a good set of colleagues.

That said, the age of people in that sector is quite young, mid 20's to mid 30's, not an issue as i fell within that age group. I got out of it and shall never go back.

i also found that experience is better than qualification initially so dont sink lots of money into courses before you get your first gig. good luck, you may enjoy it, many do apparently