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Abstract: The transition from higher education to the workforce presents significant challenges for graduating students, particularly in aligning academic preparation with industry expectations. In Malaysia, counsellors in Public Institutions of Higher Education (PIHEs) play a crucial role in equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed for career readiness. Despite this important function, limited research has explored the lived experiences and strategic approaches employed by these counsellors in facilitating students' career development. This study addresses this gap by examining the practices of counsellors within selected Malaysian PIHEs, aiming to shed light on their contributions to enhancing graduate employability. This study employs a phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of counsellors in Malaysian PIHEs, focusing on the strategies they use to foster career readiness among graduating students. In-depth interviews were conducted with six counsellors from Public Institution of Higher Educations (PIHEs) located in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Perak, Malaysia. The data collected were analyzed using thematic analysis, which identified five strategies used by the counsellors: organizing programs and campaigns, collaborating with industries, implementing career modules, conducting group counselling sessions and providing individual coaching. The findings will furnish empirical evidence to aid graduate programs, educators, and novice counselors in assisting graduating students for the transition into the workforce.
