Exploring Career Guidance in Pakistan's Educational Landscape: A Comparative Analysis of Different Counselling Approaches

Abstract

This study aims to identify the impact of different career counseling approaches on the career decision making of the students. Also, it aims to find which career counseling approach is better and more relevant amongst Pakistani students. The current research investigated whether students had better confidence in taking career related decisions when they acquired career counselling using psychometric testing or were they better off when they were counselled using traditional methods of general guidance and counselling. According to the research it was identified that whichever method is used, the career related decision-making ability of the students will improve. Amongst 3275 participants, 1831 participants were never exposed to any kind of career counselling whereas 1444 participants identified that they have experienced some kind of career counselling. Of these 643 acquired it through psychometric testing while 801 acquired it through general guidance and counselling and hence The Career Decision Self Efficacy-Short Form (CDSE-SF) questionnaire was filled which measured the students’ level of self-confidence in their own ability to take necessary steps for making career decisions. The findings clearly revealed that the students who achieved counselling through psychometric testing had more confidence in career decision making ability compared to those who acquired counselling through general counselling and guidance.