Sleman, July 29, 2026 – The Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), organized a community engagement program entitled "Sustainable Career Coaching: Utilizing Career Counseling to Enhance Career Readiness for the World of Work" on July 29, 2026. The program was attended by 40 guidance and counseling teachers who are members of the Guidance and Counseling Teachers Association (MGBK) of Sleman Regency.

The program was designed to strengthen school counselors' competencies in delivering career counseling services that respond to the rapidly changing demands of today's labor market. As technological advancement, workforce transformation, and evolving career pathways continue to reshape employment opportunities, school counselors play a vital role in preparing students to make informed career decisions and successfully transition from education to employment.

The community engagement team was led by Dr. Rosita Endang Kusmaryani, S.Psi., M.Si., with Dyah Ayu Purwaniningtyas, S.Psi., M.A., Rilis Asterina, M.Psi., and R. Mahendra Wijaya Santoso, S.Psi., M.Psi., Psychologist serving as team members. The program also involved undergraduate students from the Faculty of Psychology, namely Niken Rahayu, Muhamad Irsyad, Rahel Embun Damai Christiana, and Ilham Kurniawan, providing them with experiential learning opportunities through community engagement activities.

During the training, participants explored the concept of sustainable career coaching as a developmental approach that extends beyond helping students choose academic pathways or occupations. The approach emphasizes building career adaptability, strengthening career decision-making skills, fostering lifelong career development, and preparing students to navigate continuous changes in the world of work.

The training sessions highlighted the importance of integrating career counseling services with current labor market needs. Participants discussed strategies for conducting career assessments, identifying students' interests and strengths, enhancing career self-efficacy, facilitating career planning, and developing the twenty-first-century competencies required in modern workplaces.

The program also featured interactive discussions and the exchange of best practices among school counselors. Participants shared their experiences in delivering career guidance services and collaboratively explored innovative approaches to supporting students with diverse educational and career aspirations.

Through this initiative, the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, aims to strengthen the capacity of school counselors to serve as effective career development facilitators, enabling students to become more prepared for higher education, employment, and lifelong career development.

This community engagement program reflects the Faculty's commitment to the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, particularly community service, by contributing psychological expertise to improve educational quality and strengthen career guidance services in schools.

The program also contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) by strengthening school counselors' professional competencies, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by supporting students' readiness for meaningful employment and lifelong career development, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaboration between higher education institutions and professional teacher associations to improve educational services.