How are school counselors implementing school-based career counseling interventions within the context of COVID-19? A qualitative inquiry

The pandemic associated with COVID-19 obstructed the daily lives of everyone across the world. The impact of COVID-19 impacted everyone differently, across differing professions and walks of life. While some of the impacts of this pandemic were felt immediately, other impacts may not be known or brought into awareness until years later. Awareness of these impacts, especially within the context of schooling and career counseling are gaining traction as school counselors and school systems are still working to make up for lost time. Due to mandates of career counseling in Iowa schools, career counselors are in unique positions to help assist the next generation of students to become career obtaining individuals, however COVID-19 worked to obstruct much of this work throughout the years of the pandemic. This study’s aim is to provide clarity with understanding reasons behind COVID-19's impact on career counseling and to investigate the school counselors lived experiences from a strengths-based lens via use of a Consensual Qualitative Research methodology. This study interviewed eight school counselors in underserved, rural Iowa middle schools of the Midwestern United States. Findings of this study indicated that impacts involved socio-emotional tailoring, assessing structural impact of COVID-19 on schooling, career interest shifts, and the resiliency in students. Additionally, participants shared their hopes for the future in regards to moving forward with career counseling.