Browse Upskilled
Courses
CareerTalk
Studying with us
Contact us
Student login
Back
Business
Administration
Business & Operations
Entrepreneurship & New Business
HR & Organisational Development
Leadership & Management
Marketing & Social Media
Project Management
Work, Health & Safety
Short Courses
View all Business courses
Information Technology
Cloud Computing
Cyber Security
Information Technology
Networking
Programming
Systems Administration Support
Web Development
Short Courses
View all Information Technology courses
Community Services
Case Management
Counselling
Individual Support (Ageing, Home & Community)
Individual Support (Disability)
Mental Health
Short Courses
View all Community Services courses
Course Levels
Short Course
Certificate I
Certificate II
Certificate III
Certificate IV
Diploma
Advanced Diploma
Dual Courses
Graduate Certificate
Gradulate Diploma
Bachelor Course
View all course levels
Back
Career advice
Change jobs
Develop your career
Financial advice
Find a job
Return to work
Work from home
News
Study advice
Study online
Continue your education
Pathways to university
Self Improvement
Government Assistance
All study advice
Jobs by industry
Business Industry
IT Industry
Community Services Industry
Explore Job Roles
View all
Courses by career
Small Business Owner
Human Resource Officer
Business Administrator
Business Leader / Manager
Marketing Manager
Work Health & Safety
Project Manager
Web Developer
Cyber Security
IT Systems Administrator
Disability Support Worker
Counselling
View all
Back
Why Upskilled
Studying at Upskilled
Digital Badges and Credentials
Upskilled Partner Short Courses
Additional Learning Content
Ways to Pay
How to Enrol
Student Support
Individual Course Questions
View all
FAQs
Online Learning
Qualifications
Career Outcomes
All FAQs
Government funding
Australia wide
NSW
South Australia
Queensland (HigherLevels)
Queensland (Certificate 3 Guarantee)
ACT
Northern Territory
Why Upskilled
Why Upskilled
Student stories
Meet our trainers
About Upskilled
About Upskilled
Who we work with
Jobs at Upskilled
Meet the team
Close menu
Online training - access your course anytime, anywhere! Call us on
1300 009 924
Student login
Courses
Business
Administration
Business & Operations
Entrepreneurship & New Business
HR & Organisational Development
Leadership & Management
Marketing & Social Media
Project Management
Work, Health & Safety
Short Courses
View all Business courses
Information Technology
Cloud Computing
Cyber Security
Information Technology
Networking
Programming
Systems Administration Support
Web Development
Short Courses
View all Information Technology courses
Community Services
Case Management
Counselling
Individual Support (Ageing, Home & Community)
Individual Support (Disability)
Mental Health
Short Courses
View all Community Services courses
Course Levels
Short Course
Certificate I
Certificate II
Certificate III
Certificate IV
Diploma
Advanced Diploma
Dual Courses
Graduate Certificate
Gradulate Diploma
Bachelor Course
View all course levels
CareerTalk
Career advice
Change jobs
Develop your career
Financial advice
Find a job
Return to work
Work from home
News
Study advice
Study online
Continue your education
Pathways to university
Self Improvement
Government Assistance
All study advice
Jobs by industry
Business Industry
IT Industry
Community Services Industry
Explore Job Roles
View all
Courses by career
Small Business Owner
Human Resource Officer
Business Administrator
Business Leader / Manager
Marketing Manager
Work Health & Safety
Project Manager
Web Developer
Cyber Security
IT Systems Administrator
Disability Support Worker
Counselling
View all
Studying with us
Why Upskilled
Studying at Upskilled
Digital Badges and Credentials
Upskilled Partner Short Courses
Additional Learning Content
Ways to Pay
How to Enrol
Student Support
Individual Course Questions
View all
FAQs
Online Learning
Qualifications
Career Outcomes
All FAQs
Government funding
Australia wide
NSW
South Australia
Queensland (HigherLevels)
Queensland (Certificate 3 Guarantee)
ACT
Northern Territory
Why Upskilled
Why Upskilled
Student stories
Meet our trainers
About Upskilled
About Upskilled
Who we work with
Jobs at Upskilled
Meet the team
Enquire now
Q&A
Student Q&A: Lei (Larry) Li
Community Services Faculty Student - Counselling
Community Services
Starting something new during your midlife isn't easy but for Lei (Larry) Li, he relished in the opportunity to study
Counselling
with Upskilled because he had a burning passion for helping others outside of his day job.
While it has been a challenge for him to juggle his work and family commitments, online studying has given him the opportunity to pursue an entirely different career pathway, as well as improve his English since it is a second language for him.
In this Q&A, Lei shares more about his coaching business, his course progression and what he hopes to achieve after he completes his counselling qualification.
Why did you decide to study Counselling with Upskilled?
I experienced a big life challenge in 2008. Since then, I became interested in psychology and life management. Until 2011, I started systematic learning of coaching and applied psychology (NLP) and set life coaching as my side project. I started my full-time coaching business in 2019.
With my coaching experience, I realise that many clients have unfinished business or irrational beliefs.
Counselling will help these clients release the emotional pressure and support them to find potential resources and solutions they need
, which is why I decided to expand my knowledge and skills in counselling education.
I browsed the internet and came across Upskilled. The education consultant gave me a very professional introduction of the course and the learning methodology. This definitely helped me with the decision to engage with Upskilled.
It’s interesting that you have a qualification in mechanical engineering. What encouraged you to pursue a different career path?
I have a mechanical engineering background and I’ve been working in the mining industry in both China and WA for years. While I don’t feel a deep sense of purpose or fulfillment with working at the mining site with pumps, valves and rocks, it's basically a job for money. Life is short, isn’t it? Why not do something you really love and is meaningful for your heart?
I chose to pursue a new career journey as a coach and counsellor, which helps people to be successful and happy
. It’s awesome to evolve from a mechanical engineer to a soul engineer. The best job on this planet!
What are you doing for work at the moment?
I work as a life coach and engineering consultant at the moment so I can keep a balance of setting up my new coaching business and supporting my family financially.
I find it’s an interesting journey to shift your career path midlife
.
It’s not just your personal choice - it also needs to be supported by your family, especially your better half. It’ll take years to grow and accumulate experience in the new field to be successful. While a big bonus is “you don’t need to work anymore if you love it.”
What have you enjoyed about your studies so far?
At the beginning, It was pretty challenging. I have my education in China, which has a very different teaching methodology and system. This is my first opportunity to learn a new major in Australia. Language is a natural obstacle for me, and online self-study is another one.
I felt sort of lost in the ocean in the first three months, however, I’m now used to the new style of learning and self-discipline. I’m now learning the counselling skills in modular two.
With my coaching experience, I picked these new skills quite quickly
. I’ve just finished all face-to-face counselling assessments. I’m very happy with the outcome so far.
What do you think are the benefits of studying online?
Firstly,
it’s a learning style that gives you big flexibility
. It’s much easier to continue my current coaching business and allocate time for counselling study. Secondly, I can watch the webinars and videos more, which help with my language barrier. It’s convenient to make more effort to study. Finally, it relieves me from the pressure of finishing within a fixed time frame. The time allowance is very important for me to increase my confidence.
Do you have any short or long-term goals you’d like to achieve once you finish your course?
As I’ve done some research already, there is a niche
mental health market
for the local Chinese community. I have a very unique position for this market. Mandarin is my first language and I was born in China and grew up in the culture.
Both language and culture will help me work with the local Chinese community. I’m specifically interested in couples and youth counselling. I’ve seen quite a few marriage breakups around me, making it a sad ending for both the couple and kids.
Counselling will help them increase awareness of their emotion patterns, inner needs and effective communication skills
. There is also an urgent need to support parents building positive connections with their teenagers during their rebellious life stage. So, it is a very interesting and fulfilling goal in both short and long term.
Study counselling with Upskilled
If you're like Lei and have a passion for helping others, consider studying
Counselling
with Upskilled. This two-year diploma will give you the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge to help clients in vulnerable situations.
This qualification is also comprehensive in both theory and practical elements. Alongside the theory-based assessments, you'll participate in simulated online counselling sessions with your assigned trainer. Get in touch by calling
1300 009 924
for further information.
View all Q&A
Upskill for the career you love.
Talk to an Education Consultant about which course is best suited for you
Get in touch
1300 009 924
Enquire now
Start your next course with Upskilled. Enter your details in the form below.
Upskilled Course
Student Support
What best describes you:
*
What best describes you?
I'm starting my career
I'm looking to change careers
I'm returning to work
I'm looking for a promotion
I want to expand my skillset
I'm none of the above
First Name:
*
Last Name:
*
Email:
*
Phone:
*
Comments:
Contact Name:
*
Email:
*
Phone:
*
Description:
*By providing your information, you agree to our
Privacy Policy
and to receiving email and other forms of communication from Upskilled. You are able to opt-out at any time.
×
Processing