What you’ll learn

• Apply four foundational helping skills: attending, listening, questioning, and reflecting

• Conduct effective intake interviews with students and advisees

• Use open-ended questions to support exploration and informed decision-making

• Apply reflection techniques to clarify student thinking and emotions

• Develop structured Career Development Plans aligned to educational and career goals

• Practice culturally responsive advising grounded in respect and inclusion

Course Overview

Strong career advising begins with strong helping skills. This course equips counselors, educators, and career advising professionals with practical communication techniques that build trust, foster meaningful dialogue, and support students in making informed college and career decisions.

You will learn how to create a climate of “mattering” in one-on-one advising sessions, guide students through structured intake conversations, and translate career discussions into clear, actionable Career Development Plans.

Designed for K–12, postsecondary, and workforce education settings, this course strengthens your confidence in facilitating conversations that promote student ownership, readiness, and long-term success.

Applied Learning

Throughout the course, you will practice:

• Demonstrating attending behaviors that communicate presence and respect

• Using open-ended questioning to deepen student exploration

• Reflecting both content and emotion to support clarity

• Conducting mock intake interviews

• Creating written Career Development Plans with measurable steps

• Applying person-first language and culturally responsive advising principles

These activities ensure you can confidently guide students toward purposeful educational and career pathways—while building engagement, trust, and accountability.