The aim of this study was to look at how digital career counseling works in Sweden and if it needs to evolve. The digital and global world we live in today calls for a change in approach, this includes career counseling. Because of Covid-19 more schools and workplaces have had to implement digital solutions. Two questions were chosen:•What advantages and disadvantages can be found with the implementation of digital career counseling?•What can career counselors do to create an appropriate environment and good relationships with the clients in a digital context?Theories taken into account are communication, context, career counseling models, the professional dialogue, the career counselor’s skills and the possibility of anonymity. The method was a qualitative one, with semi-structured interviews for which the respondents was selected based on expertise and knowledge. The result showed that there was no big difference between career counseling in a traditional context compared to a digital one. The difference lied in making sure the technology works and knowing that the non-verbal communication might deteriorate. The main differences was managing the technology, controlling the environment seen through the camera, and awareness that the non-verbal communication might deteriorate. Another discovery was that anonymity in the form of having the choice of turning on the camera was a positive thing, where people open up easier.

Utifrån semistrukturerade intervjuer och en tematisk analys utforskas studie- och yrkesvägledares upplevelser utifrån att arbeta under restriktionerna på grund av covid-19 pandemin. Vägledarna presenterar hur deras upplevelser om vägledning med hjälp av digitala verktyg är relativt goda, trots att det funnits en viss skepsis till denna typ av vägledning hos flertalet informanter innan de prövat på den. Trots att uppfattningen om e-vägledning på distans i sin helhet är god har hinder upptäckts. Tidskrävande tekniska problem gynnar inte kommunikationen, men främst upplevs en avsaknad av kroppsspråk, relationsbyggande och möjligheten att använda vägledningsmetoder. Utifrån resultaten används CIP-teorins begreppsapparat för att diskutera hur e-vägledning kan användas som ett komplement till traditionell vägledning, med vilka individer och vilka förutsättningar som krävs. Enklare samtal med självständiga vägledningssökande kan med gott resultat även göras digitalt medan det kan finnas utmaningar med att digitalt vägleda sökande som behöver mycket individuell hjälp att vidga sina perspektiv. Vägledare bör dock utveckla sina färdigheter att genomföra utmanande samtal digitalt då e-vägledning också kan nå individer som annars inte kan ta del av någon vägledning, utifrån till exempel psykisk ohälsa och socioekonomiska förutsättningar. Trots hinder presenterar resultatet anledningar för vägledare att fortsätta utforska möjligheter med e-vägledning, där en ökad tillgänglighet är det främsta argumentet. Det finns en möjlighet att skiftet mot ökad e-vägledning blir enklare än vad som tidigare befarats. / Using semi structured interviews and a thematic analysis, this study explores the experiences of Swedish guidance counselors about working during the restrictions set by the covid-19 pandemic. The counselors present how their experiences of career guidance using digital tools has been relatively positive, despite earlier being skeptical of this method of guidance. Although the experiences of digital guidance were mainly positive, some obstacles have been identified. Time-consuming technical difficulties does not promote the communication and the lack of body language, relationship building, and the difficulty using guidance methods has been the main issues experienced. The results have been analyzed using the conceptual framework of the CIP-theory to discuss how digital guidance can be used as a complement to traditional career guidance, with what individuals, and what prerequisites need to be in place. Less complex discussions with independent clients could be held digitally, whereas it can be challenging to digitally guide clients who need a lot of individual support of a more explorative nature. There is nevertheless a reason for guidance counselors to develop skills to be able to have e-guidance sessions of a more challenging nature as well. The reason being that digital guidance is a way to reach individuals who normally cannot take part in any form of career guidance, because of mental health issues or socioeconomic factors. Despite the obstacles, the result presents reasons for counselors to keep exploring the opportunities of e-guidance, with an increased accessibility being the main argument for this. There is reason to believe that the transition towards an increased use of e-guidance will be easier than previously thought.