Empowering Women in the Workplace: The Role of Career Counselling

Empowering women in the workplace begins with the right guidance. Career counselling for women helps unlock their full potential, break stereotypes, and make informed career choices. This article explores how career counselling bridges the gender gap and supports women in choosing high-paying, fulfilling careers after 12th and beyond.

Did you know that only 19.2% of working-age women in India are part of the workforce? (Source: World Bank, 2024). Despite being educated and talented, many women drop out or never start their professional journey.

That’s where career counselling for women becomes powerful. It’s more than just career advice—it’s a way to find purpose, independence, and confidence.

Whether you’re a student choosing a stream after 12th, a new mother restarting work, or someone stuck in a 9-5 rut, career counselling helps you take the next step with clarity.

• Only 1 in 5 women in India is formally employed.

• Many women quit after marriage or childbirth.

• Gender pay gap in India is around 24% (ILO Report).

• STEM, law, finance, and leadership roles still see very few women.

And yet, girls outperform boys in school exams every year. So, what’s going wrong?

The truth is, lack of guidance and societal pressure hold women back more than a lack of ability.

Here’s what most Indian women face when it comes to careers:

1. Family Pressure: “Beta, do a simple course. You’ll get married soon anyway.” Sound familiar?
2. Lack of Role Models: Young girls rarely see women leaders around them. It’s hard to imagine yourself as a CEO when everyone around says, “Teaching is safer.”
3. Guilt & Self-Doubt: Mothers often feel guilty for working. Young professionals feel they’re “not good enough.”
4. Outdated Mindsets: Some still believe women don’t need a career—just a job to pass time until marriage.

This is why career counselling for women isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

1. Clarity: Not sure if you should take commerce or science? A counsellor helps match your strengths to the right path.
2. Confidence: When someone believes in your potential, you start believing in yourself too.
3. Career Mapping: Counsellors show you high-paying, lesser-known options. Yes, there’s more than just medicine or teaching.
4. Family Involvement: In India, family matters. Counsellors help explain career plans to parents in a respectful, convincing way.
5. Comeback Plans: Returning to work after a break? A counsellor helps build a realistic re-entry strategy.

Meet Radhika, a bright girl from Indore. She scored 90% in her boards, but her relatives pushed her toward B.A. because it was “easier.” A career counsellor spotted her talent in coding and helped her enroll in a data science course. Today, she works with a top IT firm.

Or take Meena, a homemaker for 10 years. After career counselling, she pursued a course in digital marketing and started freelancing. She earns, feels independent, and sets an example for her kids.

Career counselling for women turns “I wish I could” into “I’m glad I did.”

Looking for high-paying courses after 12th? Here are some options counsellors often suggest:

With the right guidance, girls can confidently choose careers, not just “safe options.”

Not sure how to get started? Here’s a simple guide:

1. Search for a certified career counsellor near you
   Or look for online platforms with real counsellor profiles.

2. Book a session
   Some offer free first consultations—use that to understand the process.

3. Take an assessment
   Most sessions begin with a career aptitude or interest test.

4. Discuss your options
   You’ll explore courses, colleges, and job paths tailored to your personality.

5. Build an action plan
   The counsellor will help you plan the next 1–5 years of your career journey.

6. Get family support (if needed)
   Many counsellors include parents in the process, especially after 12th.

Remember, this is your life, your pace—career counselling just gives it direction.

Your dreams matter. Your skills deserve to shine. Career counselling for women isn’t about pushing you into a job—it’s about helping you find a life of meaning, money, and motivation.

It’s never too early or too late. Whether you’re 17 or 37, a student or a mother—you have the right to a fulfilling career. All you need is the right guidance.

So go ahead—take that first step. Book a session, explore your options, and rewrite your story.