The Impact of Educational Counseling on Students' Academic Decisions, Self-Esteem, and Career Development: An Analytical Study

Abstract

This study examined the impact of educational counseling on students' academic decision-making, self-esteem, and career development. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research collected data from 300 undergraduate students selected through stratified random sampling. Participants completed surveys that included the Educational Counseling Effectiveness Scale (ECES), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and Career Development Inventory (CDI). Additionally, 30 students were selected for semi-structured interviews to gather qualitative insights into their experiences with educational counseling. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression to explore the relationships between counseling effectiveness, self-esteem, and career development. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically to identify common themes. The results revealed significant positive correlations between educational counseling and both self-esteem and career development, demonstrating the importance of counseling services in supporting students' academic decisions and personal growth. This study emphasized the need for comprehensive counseling programs within educational institutions to promote students' academic success and well-being.