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Career Yatra
Education and Training

Career Counsellor

Guides students and professionals to understand themselves and the world of work, and reach their career goals.

After Class 12GraduationPostgraduateDegreeSelf-employmentPrivate Sector

Overview

A Career Counsellor provides students, job seekers, and professionals with the support and guidance needed to reach their career goals. They help their clients understand themselves and the world of work to make good and mature work, education, and life decisions.

Where they work

  • Secondary schools (mostly private)
  • Colleges and Universities
  • Corporates
  • Education service providers other than schools
  • Career Counselling organisations and institutes

Work environment

You will primarily work in education institutes, career centers or run your private practice. You are expected to work full time and also handle different clients. Entrepreneurship: you can freelance or start your own business offering career guidance and support.

Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.

Skills and interests

This career might suit you if…

  • You are able to communicate with everyone
  • You have an interest in Psychology
  • You like to help people
  • You like to teach or train
Any StreamArtshelping peopleanalysing

Eligibility and education roadmap

Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.

  1. 1Complete 10+2 from any stream, preferably with Psychology as one of the subjects but not mandatory
  2. 2Complete Bachelor's in any subject, preferably Honours in Psychology
  3. 3Complete Master's degree (M.A or M.Sc) in Career Guidance and Counselling or Counselling Psychology

Forms, exams and applications

Not applicable / varies by institution — check directly with your chosen institute.

Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.

Where to apply

Any recognized college in India which offer courses in Psychology by the Department of Arts. The list of institutes that offer MA in Career Counselling is indicative only.

Government institutes

  • SNDT Women's University, Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR), New Delhi
  • Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, New Delhi
  • Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT, New Delhi
  • Indraprastha College for Women, New Delhi
  • Bethune College, Kolkata, West Bengal
  • Government Arts College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
  • Women's College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh

Private institutes

Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.

  • Christ University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
  • St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • KJ Somaiya College of Arts & Commerce, Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Fergusson College, Pune, Maharashtra
  • Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab
  • Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu
  • Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
  • Indian Institute of Psychological Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka

Distance learning

Indira Gandhi National Open University

Check official institute rankings (NIRF)

These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.

Career outcomes

Growth path

  • 1Assistant Career Counsellor
  • 2Career Counsellor
  • 3Head Career Counsellor
Self-employment possible

Expected income

₹8,000 – ₹50,000 per month

These figures are indicative and subject to change.

Source

Related careers to explore

Education and Training

School Counsellor

Provides academic, career and social-emotional guidance to students through a school counselling programme.

After Class 12DegreeDiploma
View roadmap
Education and Training

Trainer

Trains people in classroom or industry settings, building new skills and upgrading existing ones.

After Class 12DegreeDiploma
View roadmap

Student action plan

What you can do this month

  • Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
  • Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream, Arts.
  • Look for a school club, competition or online course related to helping people.
  • Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
  • Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.

Example from the field

Bharati Trivedi — An ardent Graphologist and Career Counselor, who believes in sharing her knowledge and experience with students and the youth in order to guide them towards a successful future. She holds a rich educational background along with various certifications like – B.com, Certified Global Career Counsellor by University of California, Los Angeles Extension (UCLA Extension) and a Green Belt Certified Counsellor by University. With hands-on experience in dealing with different types of people for more than 25 years, Bharati has mastered the skill to communicate with students and parents.

Source

This profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.

Sources and update notice

  • Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 269 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
  • Income source: https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/career-counsellor-salary
  • Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21

Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.