Meaningful Work, But Poor Management and High StressThe good thingsAs a former student, I was always grateful for IDP’s excellent counselling services. However, stepping into the counsellor role revealed a very different side of the organization.
The challengesDepending on the office, your experience can vary greatly. In mine, miscommunication, lack of leadership, and low morale were constant challenges.
Counsellors are expected to juggle multiple responsibilities beyond student advising — from business development to office finances — while still meeting performance targets. The workload and unclear direction from management created a stressful environment with little support or motivation.
Many of my colleagues, who became friends, eventually left the company due to poor management and lack of support, leading to a noticeably high turnover rate. Unfortunately, gaslighting often feels ingrained in the culture, making it difficult for employees to voice concerns without being dismissed or labeled as uncooperative.
Although working with students was fulfilling, the pressure from management led to frequent tension headaches and, more recently, hypertension — the final straw that made me realize no job is worth sacrificing health for.