Comparison of Roles [Counsellor, Career Master, and Teacher] – Let’s revisit the specific roles of the three key guidance personnel in schools: the Counsellor, the Career Master, and the Teacher. While all three aim to support students through various guidance activities, their responsibilities differ based on their professional expertise, available school resources, time, and budget.
These roles are not conflicting; instead, they complement one another to ensure a well-rounded guidance program. For instance, in schools where a full-time counsellor is present, the guidance services tend to be comprehensive and fully developed. In such cases, the Career Master and Teachers typically provide supportive roles. Conversely, in many schools lacking a full-time counsellor, Career Masters and Teachers take on more active roles in implementing basic guidance services tailored to the school’s needs.
The differences between these roles can be understood in terms of their training, scope of work, and the resources they manage, as summarized below:
Comparison of Roles (Secondary School Level)
| Counsellor | Career Master / Teacher |
|---|---|
| Leads classroom discussions on future career options. | Collaborates with the counsellor to plan relevant activities. |
| Organizes sessions on essential life and work skills. | Plans activities emphasizing the value of discipline in life and work. |
| Administers tools like interest inventories to assess students. | Provides assistance to the counsellor during guidance activities. |
| Facilitates group discussions addressing personal needs and desires. | Designs activities that encourage students to evaluate their personal goals and needs. |
| Conducts classes on entrepreneurship topics. | Plans and executes classroom sessions and related activities. |
| Leads lessons on developing a high school curriculum aligned with career goals. | Connects academic courses to career paths and offers activities to help students explore these options. |
| Arranges group and individual sessions on employment preparation. | Discusses with students how physical and emotional development can influence job opportunities. |
| Organizes role-playing and other interactive activities. | Partners with counsellors to plan these interactive learning experiences. |
| Teaches about career clusters and occupational fields. | Coordinates efforts with the counsellor. |
| Develops activities highlighting diverse career pathways such as apprenticeships, college, technical training, or on-the-job learning. | Supports these activities through assignments, utilizing media specialists and information materials. |
| Conducts sessions on the influence of local business and industry on daily life. | Works with the counsellor to coordinate these lessons. |
| Identifies and explores resources for career information. | Assists in resource coordination. |
| Provides individual counseling and group discussions on employer expectations. | Collaborates closely with the counsellor. |
| Holds sessions focused on financial aid for education. | Coordinates with the counsellor. |
| Organizes work-based experiential learning opportunities for students. | Plans assignments related to these experiences. |
| Facilitates group and individual sessions on work ethics. | Coordinates with the counsellor. |
| Provides students with career information resources and guidance. | Develops activities utilizing this information. |
| Leads sessions on stress and anxiety management related to career and life. | Works in conjunction with the counsellor. |
| Oversees group activities aimed at developing job-seeking skills. | Plans skill-building activities alongside the counsellor. |
| Conducts sessions on resume writing, job applications, and interview techniques. | Coordinates with the counsellor to develop these skills. |
| Leads discussions on the relationship between the economy and employment. | Plans these sessions collaboratively. |
| Explores how societal needs impact business and industry. | Coordinates efforts with the counsellor. |
| Discusses how lifestyle choices relate to career paths through group and individual sessions. | Works with the counsellor in planning these discussions. |
| Guides students in making career decisions during individual and group sessions. | Develops activities aimed at enhancing decision-making skills. |
| Conducts health-related sessions focusing on the impact of health on career. | Collaborates with the counsellor. |
| Organizes job fairs within the school environment. | Coordinates with the counsellor. |
| Leads sessions on career development and lifelong learning. | Works with the counsellor to plan these sessions. |
