I’ve qualified as a counsellor but keep questioning whether I’ve chosen the right career for me

APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.

Here, Karren gives advice to a reader who is questioning whether she has chosen the right career.

Q) I recently qualified as a registered counsellor.

While I loved the course, now I’ve started a job, I’ve been left feeling drained and burnt-out.

The course was hard work, especially emotionally, and I didn’t have much of a break before jumping head-first into my new role, as I wanted to strike while the iron was hot.

But now I’m questioning whether I’ve chosen the right career for me.

On the other hand, I really don’t want the qualification I worked so hard for to go to waste.

What other jobs could I do with this kind of background that perhaps wouldn’t be quite so full-on?

Sara, via email

A) Congratulations on completing your counselling course, that’s a huge achievement!

Counselling is a deeply rewarding job, but can also be emotionally taxing.

Before jumping into other career options, I’d recommend working harder to manage the emotional side of your job.

Start by setting boundaries and identifying what’s causing you to feel drained.

Is it the long hours?

Too many clients back to back?

If that’s the case, try decreasing the number of clients you’re working with.

If you’re not already having personal therapy, consider doing this as not only will it help you understand your role from the client’s perspective, but it will also develop your coping skills.

You could also consider alternative work settings, such as school counselling or a charity.

These environments often provide more structure and a sense of purpose, but can feel less intense than a private practice.

If you still feel like counselling isn’t the right fit, that’s totally fine.

Your skills open up many other options, like life coaching, mental health training or corporate roles focusing on staff wellbeing.

Take your time to find what feels right for you.

• Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk.