University Counselling at BISS
Our university and careers Guidance Counsellor Tracy King gives us a glimpse into how she prepares our students for life after BISS:
At the British International School of Stockholm, we offer an individual counselling programme for students completing the IB Diploma Programme. I meet regularly with these students in years 12 and 13, both one-on-one and in classes.
The counselling programme was developed using the online platform BridgeU, with the careers programme starting in year 9. Students are introduced to the idea by considering their interests, strengths and skills during PSHE lessons. Once they begin considering their subjects for the IGCSE options, I meet with them again to consider possibilities and ensure that if they have a particular career path in mind, it will be possible to take.
In year 10, I help the students draft a CV for the their upcoming work experience, collaborating closely with the Work Experience Coordinator. In year 11, students consider the IB diploma subjects and again look at possible career pathways at this point.
The individualised support and counselling hits a peak in years 12 and 13, when there is more work to be done both by the students and their families. This entails research into possible university courses and/or possible further pathways, like gap year activities.
I meet with the classes during advisory periods to discuss where students can study and what type of courses there are available. I also meet individually with the students at least once and possibly many more times depending on what is needed. If universities are having tours around Sweden and they ask to come in then we arrange suitable times for representatives to come in and talk to the students. We have also had alumni, who are currently at university, who come and tell the students about their experiences, which is incredibly worthwhile, given they are peers.
Careers Day has now happened twice at BISS, and it is a very rewarding experience, as we ask parents and other members of the community to come in and talk to students from year 9 and up about their careers and their university experiences.
Parents are an important part of the equation and all parents are invited either for a face-to-face meeting or a virtual one. These meetings start towards the second part of year 12 and into year 13. It is important that the student, counsellor and parents all understand the way forward and look at all options, especially when it comes to financing, visas and specific requirements that different universities and countries may require. The process then continues with regular sessions into year 13, to aid CV writing, the interview process, personal statement writing (required for the UK) and personal essays (required for the US).
Depending on the course students are interested in, I undertake research on their behalf to look at possible places to study certain subjects in English, in Europe, for example. When the application process is underway, teachers need to write references and enter predicted grades, students must complete their part of the application process, transcripts are written by the office staff and these need to be submitted. Regular check ups are needed, and I often visit the common room during break and lunch time to check in with individuals. The day of the results in July, I am available to support students in checking their results and giving them advice on how to proceed. Between myself and the IB Coordinator we speak to every student.
A few years ago, the majority of our students were interested in studying in the US and UK, but now more and more are looking at Europe as there are increasing courses in English available, and the prices are increasingly reasonable.
As a university Guidance Counsellor, there is always new and updated information to learn and it would be impossible to know everything. The key is in knowing where to look for information and who to contact.
Last year, I completed and became accredited on THE CAP - Times Higher Education Counsellor Accreditation Programme. I have completed Level 1, and this year I have started working on level 2. It is important for me to keep learning. I am also affiliated with a group of college counsellors in the Nordic region, having participated in a virtual Nordic University Fair last year and attending the first Nordic Network fair. I hope to continue and develop these links this year.
Contacting our University Counsellor
Feel free to contact our university counsellor Tracy King at BISS by filling out this form or emailing the contact below for any further advice!