How to increase the time your school allocates for university counselling

As a new counsellor, you may encounter challenges related to time allocation for career-related activities within the school timetable. This guide will help you navigate and overcome these challenges effectively, drawing on the insights I gained from real-world experience.

The challenge of time allocation often arises because of competing priorities within the school schedule. Schools typically prioritise academic subjects and often struggle to allocate sufficient time for career guidance and counselling activities.

This can affect students’ abilities to make informed decisions about their future careers and educational paths.

So how do you overcome this challenge?

1. Schedule some meetings

Start by engaging key stakeholders, particularly school administrators and teachers, to emphasise the importance of career guidance.

In my case, our school’s careers team scheduled a meeting with the curriculum coordinators, the head of the secondary department and the head of school. We discussed how dedicating adequate time for career-related activities could benefit students in the long term. We highlighted the positive outcomes, such as better subject choices and informed decision-making, with a firm understanding of the requirements needed to pursue certain courses.

2. Argue your case

Prepare a compelling presentation or document outlining the specific benefits of allocating dedicated time for career guidance. Include statistics or case studies if possible to illustrate the impact on students’ academic performance and future success (see image below).

3. Propose a feasible schedule

Instead of requesting large blocks of time infrequently, propose a sustainable schedule that integrates career guidance into the existing timetable.

For example, I suggested allocating 40 minutes once a week for career sessions across all grade levels, from grade 6 (Year 7) through to IB or A levels. We struggled initially, but later convinced the school administration to do this. This ensured continuity and regular engagement without disrupting academic classes significantly.

4. Highlight opportunities to collaborate

Emphasise the collaborative nature of career guidance. Offer to work closely with subject teachers to integrate career-related discussions into their curriculum or to co-facilitate workshops that align with academic content.

This not only enhances student engagement but also demonstrates the relevance of career guidance to academic success.

5. Showcase successful models

Share success stories or examples from other schools where structured career guidance programmes have led to positive outcomes. Use these examples to inspire confidence and demonstrate feasibility to sceptical stakeholders.

6. Offer practical solutions

Be prepared to address logistical concerns, such as timetabling conflicts or resource constraints. Propose flexible solutions, such as using existing class periods or holding virtual career sessions if physical space is limited.

For example, provide online links to websites where students can find career guidance online, such as Times Higher Education for university rankings and Ucas for undergraduate information.

You could also propose holding workshops at the end of the term, when most students in most schools are involved in events such as school plays, concerts or exhibitions.

7. Monitor and evaluate

Once time allocation is secured, establish mechanisms to monitor the effectiveness of career guidance activities.

Collect feedback from students, teachers and parents to gauge impact and identify areas for improvement. Use this data to continuously refine and strengthen the programme (see image below).

Ensuring sufficient time allocation for career guidance requires proactive engagement with stakeholders, clear communication of benefits, and a practical approach to integrating career activities into the school timetable. By advocating for dedicated time and demonstrating the value of career guidance, you can create a supportive environment that empowers students to make informed decisions about their future.

Persistence and collaboration are key. Each small step towards securing adequate time for career guidance contributes to the long-term success and well-being of students under your care.