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- The Guidance Room Tobias
The Guidance Room Tobias
Tobias is a lower secondary school student who participates in both group and individual career guidance. This case illustrates how career guidance can support exploration through both group processes and individual conversations, and how peers, norms and interests influence young people’s reflections.
About the Case
Tobias is a lower secondary school student who participates in both group and individual career guidance. He is in an early phase of exploring interests, educational pathways and possible future directions.
This case illustrates how career guidance can support exploration through both group processes and individual conversations, and how peers, norms and interests influence young people’s reflections.
Suggested approach
1. Start with Episode 1
Identify the main challenges and key aspects of the situation.
- What stands out?
- What seems most important at this stage?
- What would you focus on as a career counselor or career guidance practitioner?
2. Watch Episode 2
Observe how the practitioner approaches the situation.
- What methods are used?
- How is the conversation structured?
- How does the practitioner respond to the guidance seeker?
3. Work with the reflection questions
Use the questions to deepen your analysis.
- What works well?
- What would you have done differently?
- What dilemmas or considerations arise?
Background: Career Guidance in Lower Secondary Education in Norway
Lower secondary schools offer career guidance through structured career learning activities, class-based sessions, individual guidance and work-experience opportunities. Educational Choices comprises 113 hours over three years, supporting exploration of pathways and informed decision-making.
Municipalities must ensure that all students have access to career guidance, including individual guidance when needed.
The Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) has a public website in Norwegian for information about education and work at Utdanning.no, and offers digital career guidance at Karriereveiledning.no, which is free and available to the entire population.
Episode 1: Meet Tobias
Meet Tobias
After Watching Episode 1, reflect together:
- What career-related challenges does Tobias face?
- Is there anything in Tobias situation that you recognise from your own guidance practic?
Episode 2: The guidance session with Tobias
Join the guidance session with Tobias
The two guidance moments focus on:
- Group Guidance with Interest Cards
- Exploring Non-Traditional Choices
After watching the video, reflect together:
- How would you guide Tobias?
- The session shows only two brief moments from a full guidance conversation. Is there anything else you think should have been said or done?
Reflection Questions
Use these questions to explore key aspects of the guidance process together:
- How does the career counselor adapt between group and individual guidance?
- How are students encouraged to explore interests and options?
- How are norms and expectations addressed?
- What alternative approaches could you consider?
Episode 3: Reflection
Thematic Reflection Questions
Use these questions to reflect on key themes in the guidance session with Tobias. You may also connect your reflections to the self-assessment tool My competence.
Theme 1: Facilitating group guidance and peer interaction
- How does the career counselor create a safe and inclusive group environment?
- How can peer feedback be used constructively?
- What challenges arise when students know each other well?
- How can group dynamics be managed effectively?
Theme 2: Supporting exploration and linking interests to opportunities
- How are interests connected to educational pathways?
- How do you support exploration without giving direct answers?
- What tools or methods can support reflection?
- How can students be encouraged to consider new options?
Theme 3: Individual guidance, identity and social influence
- How does the career counselor support reflection on personal preferences?
- How are peer influences addressed?
- How are gender norms and expectations explored?
- How can experiences be used to support reflection?
