An examination of college career counselor self-efficacy in working with international students and its relationship with multicultural counseling competence

The United States is a leader in internationalizing its higher education and has witnessed a tremendous increase in recruiting international students. International students, however, encounter a host of challenges, including language and cultural barriers. Additionally, many come to the United States with a need for strong career development and guidance. Due to the complexity of cultural, social, legal, and personal factors, college career counselors require adequate training and education to appropriately assist international students. Specifically, the need to develop career counselors’ sense of efficacy and multicultural competence is paramount. This study was conducted to assess college career counselors’ perceived level of multicultural counseling competence and self-efficacy in working with international students, as well as the relationship between these two variables. Factors promoting cultural competence and counselor self-efficacy were also explored. In addition, using hierarchical linear regression analysis, this study explored the degree to which multicultural competence influences counselor self-efficacy above and beyond their training and experience. A total number of 145 college counselors completed the online survey. Results suggest counselors rate themselves as possessing an average level of self-efficacy in working with international students, as well as moderate to high multicultural counseling competence. Graduate degree in counseling, counseling classes, on-the-job training, and supervision were positively associated with higher counselor self-efficacy. Similarly, counselors who took more multicultural classes and attended more multicultural training reported higher multicultural counseling competence. Multicultural counseling competence was found to be significantly correlated with career counselors’ self-efficacy in working with international students as well as a significant predictor of counselor self-efficacy. The current study supports the importance of recruiting college career counselors with a graduate level of education in counseling. On-the-job training, supervision, and multicultural training were also crucial in counselors’ perceived level of cultural competence and self-efficacy in working with international students. The findings of this study have important implications for career counselor recruitment, supervision, and training.