Effectiveness of career counseling: A one-year follow-up

The short-term effectiveness of career counseling is well supported in the literature. However, the long-term impact is often overlooked. This study quantitatively investigated the long-term stability of the positive effects gained through the career counseling process and qualitatively observed participants' levels of career project implementation. Results indicated a continual decrease of career indecision in the long-term and stabilization with regard to clients' satisfaction with life. Age was found to be an important variable in long-term effectiveness, with younger clients' career decision difficulties decreasing more significantly than that of older clients. Moreover, career decision-making readiness increased only in the long-term for emotional and motivational variables. The majority of clients implemented their career choice within a period of one year; some partially implemented it; others changed their career choice, rather successfully; and few people did not demonstrate advancement in either their choice or its implementation during this period of time.

►Career counseling is effective in the short- and the long-term on career indecision. ►Career counseling is effective in the short-term on satisfaction with life. ►Career decision-making readiness needs longer time to be affected. ►Younger clients benefit more of the long-term effectiveness. ►The majority of clients implement their career choice within a period of one year.