From University to the Labour Market

Abstract

Adjusting to university life is a challenge for many students, who find it difficult to cope with academic demands and complete their studies. Preparing for a career can generate anxiety, stress, maladjustment, vulnerability. At university level, students` counselling can be a solution to help students adapt to the demands of this environment and their future career. This chapter clarifies concepts such as academic adjustment, career counselling strategy, and institutional support. Furthermore, the authors will present the Personal Career Map as a specific theory and instrument that can be used in counselling students. The structure of the career map, the career profiling questionnaire, the benefits, and limitations of this approach will be highlighted. Personal Career Map offers suggestions for student`s counselling plan, detailing concrete steps that can be taken at personal and university level to enhance students' academic and professional insertion. Discussions and recommendations on the use of this approach at university level will be addressed.