Knowing the unknown unknowns of counsellingAs university counsellors, we know what we know, and we know some of what we don’t know. But what about the things we don’t know we don’t know?
Welcome to the dark side of counsellingCounsellors just walk around school with coffee, laughing and joking, right? Sort of. There’s also the side of the job nobody tells you about – the things conveniently left off the job description
Guiding university choices in uncertain timesA turbulent, breakneck news cycle can colour views of study abroad destinations. Yet amid turmoil, there are ways counsellors can provide guidance that brings clarity and puts a student’s study abroad aspirations at the centre of decision-making
So you want to be a counsellor – but which kind?There are school counsellors, university counsellors, guidance counsellors and career counsellors. What’s the difference between them – and what qualifications do you need?
Homecoming: how counsellors can adjust to returning homeJim Faherty built a life – and a family – during two decades working abroad. So what would it feel like to come home again?
How is a university counsellor like an admissions rep?An increasing number university admissions reps are moving into school counselling. How similar – and different – are the two roles?
Predictions for 2026: the counselling versionMissed deadlines, bland AI-generated personal statements and an endless supply of black tote bags – James Burnett offers predictions for counsellors in 2026
Why I tell my students my story of failureHearing counsellors’ personal stories – of success and failure – can reassure students and show them that even particularly challenging situations do not have a lasting impact
‘Why I always tell my students that I didn’t intend to become a counsellor’Rachel Doell is an accidental counsellor: she actually wanted to become a doctor. But careers are not always linear – it can take time to find the right job
Tips for making the most of a university tourUniversity tours are a great way of getting to know universities that you might not have considered before. Here are some tips to make the most of a university tour
How Barbie can inspire school counsellors to break down barriersHow can the movie Barbie help counsellors inspire female students to transcend stereotypes and pursue male-dominated careers?
Global Counsellor Award winner - Jim FahertyJim Faherty won the inaugural award for Counsellor of the Year- Southeast Asia. Here he shares his journey into the profession and what he would say to encourage new counsellors into the specialism
Global Counsellor Award winner – Jenny TassellCounsellor of the Year – Latin America, Jenny Tassell, shares some upcoming trends in counselling that she is most excited about, including reverse admissions and studying in multiple countries
Global Counsellor Award winner – Ketevan MaghlakelidzeWinner of the award for Counsellor of the Year – Africa, Ketevan Maghlakelidze shares how counsellors can connect with each other and how counsellors can raise the profile of the profession
Global Counsellor Award Winner – Buket AyazBuket Ayaz, winner of the regional Global Counsellor Award – Gulf and Central Asia, shares her career journey and what it means to be a counsellor
Global Counsellor Award winner – Ganesh KempaiahGanesh Kempaiah won this year’s award for Counsellor of the Year – South Asia. Discover more about the profession in the region and his advice for new counsellors
Global Counsellor of the Year – Jeff NeillAs well as winning this year’s Global Counsellor Award, Jeff Neill is a recognisable face in the counselling profession with his technology newsletter and hosting monthly Zoom meetings with other counsellors. Learn more about his journey into the profession here
Diversity and Inclusion Champion – Phillip WenturinePhillip Wenturine won the first ever award for Diversity and Inclusion at this year’s Global Counsellor Awards. Here he shares how he has incorporated diversity and inclusion into his counselling and why it’s so crucial for counsellors to do so
Lifetime Achievement in Counselling winner - José Olavo de Amorim José Olavo de Amorim won the Lifetime Achievement in Counselling award at this year’s inaugural Global Counsellor Awards. He is considered a pioneer in counselling in Brazil and outlines how he has seen the profession develop over the years
Global Counsellor Award winner – Augusto NetoAugusto Neto won the award for Counsellor Community Support and Collaboration at this year’s inaugural Global Counsellor Awards. Find out more about his career journey and his tips for creating a community
Bridging gaps: a counsellor’s guide to thriving in international educationCounsellors will often have to move abroad and learn new languages and a new culture. These tips can help counsellors to bridge those gaps and assimilate into a new place
Talking about racism as a school counsellor – Christina McDadeSchool counsellor and social worker Christina McDade speaks about her openness and honesty when addressing the topic of racism within education
A global high school counselling career – Phillip WenturineHaving travelled to 63 different countries, Phillip Wenturine is in a good position to advise students on where they could study abroad
Why we should be embracing AI – Jeff NeillJeff Neill, the director of College Counselling at Graded – The American School of Sao Paulo, Brazil, spoke to the editor of THE Counsellor, Seeta Bhardwa, about why counsellors should embrace AI
Why I decided to become a high school counsellor – Buket AyazA fortuitous opportunity to provide some students with university advice was the key factor in motivating Buket Ayaz to pursue a career in college counselling
Six ways to give back to the counselling communityHow can college counsellors give back to the community and grow professionally, beyond the remit of their job description?
How to cope as a counsellor with no formal trainingSomeone has to do the counselling job – but all too often that means counsellors start the role untrained, unprepared and unsupported
How to follow in the footsteps of a more experienced counsellorTaking over from someone with decades’ more experience than you is a daunting prospect – but this counsellor found a solution that made everyone’s job easier
How satisfied are you in your current job?What factors influence job satisfaction for a university counsellor? There isn’t yet any research on the topic – but we can reflect on our own experiences
What is a counsellor fly-in, and why is it useful?A fly-in allows counsellors to visit university campuses at no cost to their school – and can be invaluable for counsellors and the students they advise
How to be an effective university counsellor with no budgetEffective college counselling can take place in offices with relatively few resources, thanks to the internet and the generous college-counselling community
How to start a new role without a formal handoverWhat happens when you start a new role with no structured handover or formal onboarding process? A few simple strategies can make the transition easier
How to submit a proposal for a college-counselling conferencePresenting a session at a college-counselling conference is an exciting way to progress in your career. And anyone can do it – as long as you have fresh insight to bring
How to be a career counsellor as well as a college counsellor‘Career’ may not be in our official job title, but students and parents often expect counsellors to offer advice about employability, career prospects and job markets
Are you a facilitator, a guide or a seed-sower?Each is a different type of counselling role – and it’s not unusual for counsellors to move between each of them, depending on context and time of year
Snakes and ladders: how I became a counsellor in four easy-ish stepsFew people begin with university counselling as their career objective – but nor is it the equivalent of putting a racehorse out to pasture
What does a university counsellor actually do?Counsellors occupy an important and unique place in school life – but what does their job actually involve?
I work in university admissions – can I become a counsellor?Five tips to help people working in university admissions cross over to the other side and start counselling high school students
'The last thing I wanted was to work in education': my path to the best job in the worldJim Faherty did not plan to follow his parents into education – but a job teaching English in China set him on the (slightly winding) path to becoming a counsellor
Why working as a teacher can enhance your counsellingDoubling as a classroom teacher offers counsellors a range of opportunities to boost students’ university application chances by stealth
Five things I learned in my first year as a university counsellorDuring her first year in the job, Cheong Yi Teng's understanding of the purpose and impact of university counselling has been completely transformed
‘How I transformed my counselling with a six-letter word’A set of strategies contained in the acronym ‘Uplift’ enabled Adeola Arofin to manage the annual counselling cycle alongside other deadlines and responsibilities
How to set up a new counselling department from scratchSetting up a brand new counselling department is exciting – but also potentially daunting. How do you go about it?
How to move from working with one university system to working across severalRachel McCann used to send all her students to universities in the UK – so switching to international counselling was a significant step. Here’s how she managed it
What should you do if you’re feeling stagnant in your job?You’ve supported cohorts of students with their applications. You’ve organised university fairs. You’ve attended conferences. What next?
Leadership: how experienced counsellors can mentor new counsellorsAs counsellors progress through their careers, the way they mentor and encourage young counsellors can have a positive impact on the wider counselling team
How do I do the job of three people?In Cameroon, counsellors are supposed to work closely with 300 pupils. But a shortage of counsellors means that they’re more likely to be working with 900
CPD: Where are the best places to find professional development opportunities for counsellors?The right CPD enables counsellors to keep up with sector trends, enhance their knowledge and support students more effectively
Bridging gaps: a counsellor’s guide to thriving in international educationCounsellors will often have to move abroad and learn new languages and a new culture. These tips can help counsellors to bridge those gaps and assimilate into a new place
CPD: How to find and focus on your strengthsRecognising your own strengths allows counsellors to tailor CPD activities accordingly. These tools can help you identify the areas where you excel
Nine points to consider when taking a job internationallyCounsellors spend a lot of time advising students on how to find their best-fit destinations – but ‘best fit’ can apply equally to job-hunting counsellors, too
Mistakes I made as a counsellor – so you don’t have toThe path to becoming an effective university counsellor inevitably involves mistakes. What are some of the common ones?
Taking a job off the beaten track? Here are some tipsWorking in remote or less-touristed areas can be challenging – but also exhilarating and rewarding, as long as you learn to expect the unexpected
How to progress in your career as a school counsellorNew and experienced counsellors alike might be looking for new challenges and the opportunity to develop new skills – but where should you begin?
Considering a career in counselling? Here’s what you need to knowAre you thinking of training to be a university counsellor? Here’s the information and resources you need to get started
Counselling isn’t about knowledge – it’s about relationshipsAs a counsellor, it’s easy to feel as though you’re the only person guiding students to their destinations. But is it up to you to have all the information?
Who do school counsellors work for?In order to do our jobs to the best of our ability, school counsellors must first define who we are doing it for, says Deborah Mason Pontual
How school counsellors can keep learningCounsellors should never stop learning and growing, no matter how experienced they are. David Hanna offers some tips on staying ahead of emerging trends
