Performing guidance in a group setting?

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Guidance is the crux of our role; we have been trained to use a variety of guidance models in order to create impact in a 1:1 appointment.

But can guidance be delivered within a group setting? I will put that question back to my fellow careers professionals to debate…

I believe that to some extent, we can make a start with guiding students in a small group setting. The work we start in the session, can then be followed-up and built upon in a 1:1 appointment

One way I try to incorporate guidance into a session, is through using ‘The Ideal Job Venn Diagram’, By David Hamil

I think this resource is brilliant.

I recently used this in a ‘Finding your ideal job’ workshop, to try and support final year students in finding their ‘dream job’!

I asked the students to draw three large circles, adding in the appropriate headings. I then asked the students to think of five examples from each box. I modeled some examples and ensured they were thinking about their interests, their hobbies, any volunteering they had completed, society involvement they have had, tasks they do at home which they may enjoy!

I then asked the students to pair up with another student and swap their diagrams, their partner would use the information to decipher what might go into boxes A, B and C

They then swapped back and discussed their answers. This activity was really successful, one joint honours student managed to find a role that would suit her passion for fashion as well as both strands of her degree.

Following this session, I offered students a follow-up appointment so that they could bring in their Venn Diagram for further discussion and guidance.

One student did book in and bring along the diagram, and it was a really nice visual to draw our attention to once I had gone through the guidance model with her. We used this to form the basis of further questioning and research.

This might be a nice activity for other advisers to try as part of an ‘ideal job’ or ‘guidance’ workshop.

If any other practitioners have used this activity before, I would love to hear your thoughts on other ways  to utilise the Venn Diagram

If anyone else has some interesting ideas on how to ‘deliver guidance’ in a group session, I would love to hear your ideas.

Thanks for listening,

Sabrina