How Counselors Can Shape the Future of Youth| My Journey from a Classroom Teacher to an Education Counselor

         

                                                                 Counselling Students on Mates Education Fair 2026 

                                                   

                                                    As a Teacher

My Journey from a Classroom Teacher to an Education Counselor

I never imagined that I would one day enter the field of educational consultancy.
My passion was always teaching.

As a mathematics and science teacher, I loved standing in front of students, explaining concepts, solving problems, and most importantly, sparking curiosity in young minds. Teaching was never just a profession for me. It was a way of connecting with students, understanding their dreams, and helping them believe in their potential.

There is something deeply meaningful about watching a student suddenly understand a difficult concept or become excited about learning. Those moments made me realize how powerful education can be in shaping lives.

But life often takes us into unexpected paths.

Accidentally, I entered the consultancy field. At first, it felt very different from teaching. Instead of teaching children in classrooms, I began interacting with students who had completed their Grade 12 studies, bachelor’s degrees, and even master’s programs. I started engaging with young people from my own age group and seniors who were confused, hopeful, ambitious, and searching for direction.

That experience changed my perspective completely.

I began to understand what many students in Nepal think about after completing their education. For many, studying abroad has become the primary dream. Australia, the USA, the UK, Canada, and other countries have become symbols of opportunity and success.

There is nothing wrong with wanting global exposure or better opportunities. In fact, international education can transform lives. But while working in this field, I noticed something that deeply concerned me.

Most consultancies focus almost entirely on sending students abroad, but very little attention is given to career counseling itself.

Students are rarely guided about:

• Their genuine interests and strengths
• Career opportunities available within Nepal
• Emerging industries and future skills
• The gap between education and employment
• How they can contribute meaningfully to the country

Many students feel that there are no opportunities in Nepal. Some truly believe that success is only possible outside the country. But the reality is more complicated.

Nepal does have opportunities.
The problem is that there is a massive gap between skills, awareness, education, and access to those opportunities.

Schools and colleges often fail to teach students about practical career paths, financial literacy, technological changes, entrepreneurship, or future-oriented skills. As a result, many young people grow up without clarity about what they truly want to do.

This creates confusion, dependency, and eventually, migration.

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Nepal is still a developing nation, and its greatest strength is its youth population. If the country cannot properly guide, educate, and utilize its young generation, it risks losing one of its biggest advantages — its demographic dividend.

Today, remittance contributes significantly to Nepal’s economy. While remittance has helped many families survive, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed how fragile this dependence can be. When global systems slowed down, many countries dependent on foreign employment faced uncertainty and economic pressure.

That period taught us an important lesson:
A nation cannot rely only on exporting its youth.

Nepal needs young people who are skilled, innovative, and capable of creating value within the country as well. It needs entrepreneurs, educators, researchers, scientists, policymakers, engineers, creators, and responsible citizens who can help build the nation from within.

And this is where counselors can play a powerful role.

A counselor is not just someone who helps students fill out application forms or choose universities. A true counselor can influence the trajectory of a young person’s life. They can help students understand themselves, discover their strengths, explore possibilities, and make informed decisions about their future.

Sometimes, a single conversation can change the direction of someone’s life.

I believe Nepal needs consultancies and counselors who do more than process visas. We need institutions that genuinely guide students, connect education with real-world opportunities, and help bridge the gap between students’ interests and the needs of the country.

Students deserve awareness, not just options.
They deserve guidance, not just paperwork.

                        

My journey from a teacher to an education counselor has made me realize that counseling is also a form of teaching — just in a different environment. Earlier, I used to teach mathematics and science. Now, I try to help students understand life, careers, opportunities, and the importance of making conscious decisions about their future.

 

And I remain committed to doing my utmost, in whatever way I can, to create awareness among the youth I engage with.

Because shaping the future of youth is not just about sending them somewhere else.
It is about helping them discover where they truly belong and how they can create meaningful impact — for themselves, their families, and their country.