Data is a critical component of effective school career counselling, particularly in countries where resources are limited and policy decisions must be well targeted. By systematically logging counselling sessions, schools and counsellors can move beyond anecdotal observations and build a reliable picture of students’ aspirations, challenges, and decision-making patterns over time. This creates continuity in support for individual students and allows counsellors to tailor guidance based on real needs rather than assumptions.
At an aggregated level, counselling data reveals important trends that would otherwise remain invisible. For example, if data shows consistently low interest among students in pursuing careers in education, this highlights a structural risk for a country that urgently needs more teachers to grow its human capital. Such insights allow governments and partners to respond proactively - by improving teacher training pathways, offering targeted scholarships, or addressing perceptions that discourage young people from entering the profession.
Data-driven career counselling also enables governments to align education policy with labour market realities. By understanding which sectors attract students and which are neglected, decision-makers can design incentives, awareness campaigns, and investments that better balance supply and demand. Ultimately, using data in career counselling transforms guidance from an individual support function into a strategic planning tool, helping governments, schools, and communities make informed decisions that strengthen workforce development and long-term national development.