Career awareness in preschool counseling services from the perspective of school counselors

This study aims to thoroughly evaluate the practices of school counselors working at the preschool level by gathering their views on career awareness. A total of 12 school counselors, employed in both public and private preschool institutions in Ankara, were selected using the maximum variation method and were subsequently interviewed. The study utilized a phenomenological research design and employed Consensual Qualitative Research. Semi-structured interview forms were used as the data collection tool during these interviews. The participants' responses were categorized into two main areas, ten categories, and 41 subcategories. The main areas identified were: "5W1H of enhancing career awareness in preschool" and "preparing to enhance career awareness in preschool." The findings highlight the prevalence of basic-level efforts to promote career awareness in the preschool period, as well as the limitations of more in-depth efforts. Participants evaluated career awareness activities within the context of individual and systemic factors. While the findings underscore the importance of establishing career awareness at an early age within the educational system, they also reveal that the professional development of school counselors in the area of career development has not been sufficiently examined or emphasized. Impressions were gathered indicating the need for multi-dimensional support for the professional development of school counselors to enable them to engage in more active practices regarding career awareness. Furthermore, it was observed that while school counselors collaborate with school administrators and teachers in addressing career-related issues through individual and family consultations, they encounter challenges related to resource limitations and competencies in the delivery of services. Key Words: Career awareness, career development, career development in preschool education, preschool psychological counseling services