A Study on strategies for career growth of newly appointed counselors in vocational colleges——from the perspective of SWTO analysis

LI Teng; LIU Ping; REN Lixing; ZHANG Xiaoya

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2096-501X.2024.02.003

Abstract：Objective To explore strategies for the professional growth of newly appointed counselors in higher vocational colleges through a SWTO analysis.Methods From September 2022 to February 2023,65 counselors who joined five vocational colleges in Yuncheng City after January 2020 were selected.The survey included questionnaire surveys and interviews to assess their current growth status.A SWTO analysis was used to identify their strengths,weaknesses,opportunities,and challenges in their professional development.Results Newly appointed counselors in higher vocational colleges have strengths in overall quality and personal growth experiences,but they face challenges in work experience and professional skills.They confronted with the localization of policy implementation,ambiguity in job responsibilities,and complexity in promotion channels.At the same time,they benefit from the national emphasis on education and rapid development of vocational education.Conclusions Strategies to support the professional growth of newly appointed counselors in higher vocational colleges should be implemented at the national,social,institutional,and individual levels.At the national level,they should be effective top-level design,the establishment of an education supervision system,and the creation of a tripartite development community.Socially,there is a need for increased publicity,greater support,and improved home-school cooperation mechanisms.Institutionally,there should be an enhanced focus on counseling roles,optimization of team structures,the formulation of plans to increase capabilities,and the reform of evaluation systems.Individually,counselors should quickly adapt to their roles,strengthen professional learning,improve their professional skills,and foster the courage for self-innovation.