Careers adviser (higher education)

Higher education careers adviser job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Colleges of higher education and universities employ careers advisers. Responsibilities of the job include:

• assessing personal characteristics, skills and interests via individual interviews and/or group work, and relating these to suitable opportunities
• providing help and advice
• liaison with schools, colleges, academic departments, employers and professional organisations
• organising work placements
• writing careers literature, action plans and reports
• making presentations
• working with academic departments to provide Career Management Skills (CMS) sessions
• running workshops
• undertaking psychometric and personality testing
• using specialist computer-aided guidance applications
• attending conferences
• contributing to the work of AGCAS.

Vacancies attract strong competition, and are advertised in The Times Educational Supplement, The Times Higher Educational Supplement, local, regional and national newspapers and via the internet. Work experience gained in any relevant setting is essential, although placements within careers offices are difficult to obtain. The Graduate Careers Services Directory can be helpful for speculative applications.

Qualifications and training required

Any degree discipline is acceptable for entry into the profession: experience and personality are usually more important than subject studied. A relevant qualification may be required for some positions (eg law/engineering/science).

It is normally necessary to gain an NVQ (Level 4) in guidance or a postgraduate diploma in careers guidance (Dip CG). The diploma takes two years to complete and incorporates a year of full-time study followed by an assessed probationary year of vocational experience. There is strong competition for Dip CG course places - early applications 10-12 months in advance are advisable. Some services sponsor training, although most students fund themselves. Relevant work experience may be required for entry onto some courses.

Key skills for higher education careers advisers

Potential employees should have plenty of confidence and excellent presentation, listening, verbal and written communication skills. Confidentiality, a non-prejudicial manner, patience and good teamworking, organisational and interpersonal skills are also important.