ChatGPT Prompts for Guidance Counsellors - MyCareerVerse Toolkit

ChatGPT Prompts for Guidance Counsellors

Empower your guidance practice with AI-assisted tools designed specifically for Irish secondary school career counselling. Access ready-to-use prompts for CAO applications, subject selection, career exploration, and student well-being support.

AI Guidance Tools
50+

Ready-to-Use Prompts

8

Key Categories

15K

Students Supported

5min

Average Response Time

Prompt Categories

Select a category to explore specialized prompts for different guidance scenarios

All Prompts
CAO & Applications
Career Exploration
Subject Selection
Student Well-being
Parent Communication
CV & Interview Prep
Study Abroad
Apprenticeships
CAO Applications
CAO Course Research Assistant
"I'm a guidance counsellor helping a student interested in [FIELD OF INTEREST]. They have predicted grades of [GRADES] and are particularly strong in [SUBJECTS]. Can you help me create a balanced CAO list with 5 Level 8 and 5 Level 6/7 courses that match their interests and academic profile? Include course codes, institutions, typical points requirements from last 3 years, and key career paths for each option."
CAO Applications
Personal Statement Builder
"Help me guide a student in writing a CAO personal statement for [COURSE NAME]. They have experience in [ACTIVITIES/ACHIEVEMENTS], are passionate about [INTERESTS], and have overcome [CHALLENGES]. Create a structured 600-word template highlighting their suitability for the course, incorporating specific examples, and demonstrating understanding of the course requirements and career prospects."
Career Exploration
Career Matching Analysis
"A student has completed career assessments showing strong interests in [HOLLAND CODES/INTERESTS], values including [VALUES], and skills in [SKILLS]. They prefer [WORK ENVIRONMENT] and are considering careers that [SPECIFIC PREFERENCES]. Generate 10 suitable career options with Irish context, required education pathways through CAO/PLC/apprenticeships, typical salary ranges in Ireland, and day-in-the-life descriptions."
Career Exploration
Future Skills Analysis
"Analyze the career field of [CAREER AREA] for a current Leaving Cert student. What skills will be essential in this field over the next 10 years? How is AI and technology changing this profession? What subjects and extracurricular activities should they focus on now? Include specific Irish industry examples and educational pathways available through Irish institutions."
Subject Selection
LC Subject Combination Advisor
"A TY student is choosing Leaving Cert subjects. They're interested in careers in [CAREER FIELD], strong in [CURRENT STRONG SUBJECTS], struggle with [CHALLENGING AREAS], and must take [COMPULSORY SUBJECTS]. Recommend optimal subject combinations considering CAO requirements, points maximization strategies, workload balance, and keeping options open. Include specific course examples that would require these subjects."
Subject Selection
Subject Change Impact Analysis
"A 5th year student wants to change from [CURRENT SUBJECT] to [NEW SUBJECT] after Christmas. They're aiming for courses in [FIELD]. Analyze: feasibility of catching up, impact on CAO applications, alternative strategies, required additional support, and create a catch-up study plan. Consider their current subjects are [OTHER SUBJECTS] and predicted grades are [GRADES]."
Student Well-being
Exam Stress Management Plan
"Create a comprehensive stress management plan for a Leaving Cert student experiencing [SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS]. They have [TIME UNTIL EXAMS] and are juggling [SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS]. Include daily routines, study-life balance strategies, mindfulness techniques suitable for teenagers, warning signs to watch for, and when to seek additional support. Make it practical and teen-friendly."
Student Well-being
Motivation and Goal Setting
"Help me create a motivation session for a student who [CURRENT SITUATION/CHALLENGE]. They were previously interested in [PAST INTERESTS] but now feel [CURRENT FEELINGS]. Design a goal-setting framework using SMART goals, identify potential barriers and solutions, create milestone rewards, and suggest accountability strategies appropriate for their age and situation."
Parent Communication
Parent Meeting Prep
"Prepare talking points for a parent meeting about their child who [SITUATION]. Parents have expectations of [PARENT EXPECTATIONS] while student wants [STUDENT PREFERENCES]. Create a diplomatic communication strategy that addresses both perspectives, provides objective information about realistic pathways, includes relevant statistics and examples, and offers compromise solutions."
Parent Communication
Parent Information Pack
"Create a comprehensive parent guide about [SPECIFIC TOPIC: CAO process/subject choices/career options]. Include key dates and deadlines, common misconceptions to address, how parents can support without pressuring, conversation starters for home, useful resources and websites, and red flags to watch for. Format it as a friendly, accessible FAQ."
CV & Interview Prep
Student CV Builder
"Help create a CV for a Leaving Cert student applying for [TYPE OF OPPORTUNITY]. They have experience in [ACTIVITIES], achievements including [ACHIEVEMENTS], subjects studying [SUBJECTS], and interests in [INTERESTS]. Create a compelling CV that transforms typical school experiences into valuable skills, uses action verbs effectively, and includes a strong personal profile suitable for someone with limited work experience."
CV & Interview Prep
Interview Practice Generator
"Generate interview preparation materials for a student applying to [COURSE/JOB/SCHOLARSHIP]. Create 15 likely questions ranging from basic to challenging, example STAR method answers using typical student experiences, questions they should ask the interviewer, body language and presentation tips for nervous teenagers, and a practice schedule for the week before the interview."
Study Abroad
UCAS Application Strategy
"Guide a student through UCAS application for [SUBJECT AREA]. They have [PREDICTED GRADES] and are considering [UK UNIVERSITIES]. Create a timeline from now until application deadline, personal statement structure and key points to include, how to demonstrate super-curricular activities, reference preparation guidance, and comparison with staying in Ireland via CAO."
Study Abroad
European University Explorer
"Research European university options for studying [SUBJECT] with English-taught programs. Student has [LANGUAGE ABILITIES] and budget of [BUDGET RANGE]. Compare options in Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and others. Include application requirements, costs comparison with Ireland, visa requirements post-Brexit, career prospects, and cultural adjustment considerations."
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship Pathway Planner
"Create a comprehensive guide for a student interested in [TRADE/APPRENTICESHIP AREA]. Include available apprenticeships in Ireland, application process through SOLAS, typical employer expectations, off-the-job training phases, earning potential and career progression, pros and cons versus traditional university route, and how to find and approach potential employers."
Apprenticeships
New Generation Apprenticeships
"Explain the new generation apprenticeships in [SECTOR: IT/Finance/Healthcare] to a student and their parents. Cover how these differ from traditional trades, entry requirements and application process, companies offering these programs in Ireland, salary expectations during and after completion, and comparison with traditional degree routes for the same careers."

Advanced Scenario Prompts

Complex prompts for challenging guidance situations

Career Change Scenario

"A 6th year student originally planned for medicine but after mock exams realizes they won't achieve the required points (currently predicted 450-500). They're devastated and their parents are putting pressure on them. They're good at Biology and Chemistry, enjoy helping people, but are now questioning everything. Create a comprehensive alternative pathways plan including: 1. Related healthcare careers within their points range 2. Routes to medicine through graduate entry 3. PLC courses that could lead to degree programs 4. International study options 5. Script for managing parent expectations 6. Emotional support strategies for dealing with disappointment Make it hopeful and practical with specific Irish examples."

Group Guidance Session

"Design a 40-minute interactive group guidance session for TY students on 'Exploring Your Career Identity'. Include: 1. Engaging ice-breaker activity (5 mins) 2. Interactive career values card sort exercise 3. Small group discussion prompts 4. Individual reflection questions 5. Take-home activity for further exploration 6. Resources for students to explore independently 7. Follow-up session ideas Make it engaging for teenagers with varied interest levels and include both digital and paper-based options."

Decision-Making Framework

"A high-achieving student has offers/opportunities for: 1. Trinity Computer Science (their dream course) 2. Full scholarship for Business in UL 3. Apprenticeship with major tech company 4. Gap year opportunity with structured program They're interested in tech but worried about finances, family wants them to take the scholarship, and they're unsure about missing out on 'college experience' with the apprenticeship. Create a structured decision-making framework including: - Weighted decision matrix template - Questions to clarify values and priorities - Pros/cons analysis for each option - 5-year projection for each path - How to handle family pressure - Timeline for making the decision"

Best Practices Guide

Maximize the effectiveness of ChatGPT in your guidance practice

Do: Personalize Your Prompts

Replace bracketed placeholders with specific student details. The more context you provide about the student's situation, interests, and constraints, the more tailored and useful the response will be.

Do: Verify Information

Always double-check CAO codes, points requirements, and deadline dates with official sources. Use ChatGPT as a starting point and creative tool, not as the sole source of factual information.

Do: Iterate and Refine

If the first response isn't quite right, ask follow-up questions or request modifications. You can ask ChatGPT to adjust tone, add more detail, or focus on specific aspects.

Do: Save Successful Prompts

Build your own library of prompts that work well for your students. Customize and refine them based on what generates the most helpful responses.

Don't: Share Sensitive Information

Never include personally identifiable information about students. Use general descriptions rather than names, specific schools, or identifying details.

Don't: Rely Solely on AI

ChatGPT should supplement, not replace, your professional judgment. Use it as a tool to enhance your guidance, not as the primary decision-maker.

Don't: Use Outdated Prompts

Educational requirements and course offerings change yearly. Regularly update your prompts to reflect current CAO handbooks, course changes, and new opportunities.

Don't: Overwhelm Students

While ChatGPT can generate comprehensive responses, consider your student's capacity to process information. Sometimes less is more - edit responses to match student needs.

Pro Tips for Guidance Counsellors

Magic Words

Use phrases like "be specific", "include examples", "make it suitable for teenagers" to get better responses

Layer Your Requests

Start with a broad request, then ask for specific additions or modifications in follow-up prompts

Irish Context

Always specify "Irish context" or "CAO system" to get locally relevant information

Tone Matters

Specify the tone you want: "friendly", "professional", "encouraging", or "suitable for parents"

Ready to Transform Your Guidance Practice?

Join thousands of guidance counsellors using AI-powered tools to better support their students