The Roundabout methodology represents an innovative approach to career guidance counseling (CGC), designed to support individuals navigating the challenges of digital transformation and upskilling. As part of the CGC DigiTrans project, practitioners from Italy, Germany and the Netherlands piloted this multi-actor methodology, yielding valuable insights into its implementation and impact.
Across the three countries, Germany, Italy and Netehrlands a total of 10 case studies were conducted, involving diverse clients ranging from young graduates to experienced professionals seeking career transitions. Five case studies are extensively collected in a booklet that can be freely downloaded from the website and used for practicing with the roundabout methodology. The Roundabout’s is in fact a structured six-phase process proved effective in fostering self-awareness, identifying digital competency gaps, and facilitating access to targeted training opportunities.
In Italy, counselors engaged with clients from various regions, including a 23-year-old university student struggling with digital tools for thesis writing, a 34-year-old posturologist aspiring to become a teacher, and two women in their 40s seeking new employment paths after job loss. Through the Roundabout, tailored interventions were delivered to address psychological barriers, boost motivation, and connect individuals with appropriate educational resources and employment opportunities.
The German pilot cases involved a 53-year-old bakery sales assistant aiming to improve his digital skills for professional reorientation and a 35-year-old single mother of five seeking office employment. Counselors successfully navigated these diverse situations, leveraging the Roundabout’s flexibility to tailor support, dispel technology fears, and facilitate access to training opportunities aligned with clients’ goals.
In the Netherlands, the pilot focused on two distinct cases: a 55-year-old woman from Suriname with extensive experience in the cleaning industry, seeking to develop digital and communication skills for career advancement; and a 51-year-old environmental policy professional forced into career transition due to legislative changes, requiring upskilling in project management software and applications.
Across all three countries, the Roundabout methodology demonstrated its transformative potential, enabling empowering counselors to guide clients through a structured yet adaptable process. Key strengths included well-organized materials, the emphasis on networking and stakeholder involvement, and the flexibility to tailor interventions to meet individual needs.
The implementation also highlighted challenges and areas for further development. Engaging employers and fostering meaningful cooperation among stakeholders emerged as a significant hurdle, requiring counselors to invest substantial effort in sensitizing and preparing the environment. Psychological barriers – such as low self-efficacy, fear of change, and difficulties in managing stress- also posed obstacles for some clients, underscoring the importance of strengthening psychological support within the Roundabout framework.
Despite these challenges, the outcomes achieved through the Roundabout methodology were remarkable. Clients reported increased self-confidence, motivation to engage in training or re-employment paths, and concrete career plans or job opportunities. The positive impact extended beyond professional development, contributing to improved quality of life and the activation of valuable personal and professional resources.
Looking ahead, the Roundabout methodology holds significant promise for supporting career transitions in the digital age. To enhance its effectiveness further refinements are recommended, such as the integration of self-assessment tools, continuous professional development for counselors, and a stronger focus on clients’ psychological aspects. Additionally, establishing structured spaces for counselors to reflect on their own digital skills and monitor their professional growth could further enhance the methodology’s effectiveness. Important suggestions for people interested in using the Roundabout methodology are collected in the Guidelines for implementation, which are free to dowload from this website. Additionally, the life experience of an Italian career counselor, Dr. Rita Zarbo is also reported in a podcast available for listening. You can also listen the interview to Dr Matthias Zick-Varul, one of the authors of the project proposal! They are very interesting and informative.
In conclusion, the pilot implementation in Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands has demonstrated the Roundabout’s potential as an inclusive, personalized, and resource-oriented approach to career guidance counseling. By leveraging a structured yet adaptable process and actively involving local ecosystems, the Roundabout methodology can enhance the impact of CGC services and foster meaningful, long-term results for individuals navigating the complexities and the challenges of the digital transition.
