Supporting success through the lifespan, school and career counselors help individuals navigate their school years from grade school to graduation, college or training, or throughout their lifelong employment experience. From elementary through high school, school counselors work with students and their families, school staff, and the community to create an environment that promotes academic success and positive social interaction. They help students deal with personal issues that affect their school experience, and provide crisis intervention when needed. School counselors keep detailed records to meet laws and district policies, and help students with disabilities get accommodations. They also help ensure students take all required classes and plan for college or careers after graduation. Career counselors help clients explore career options and teach them the process of searching for a job. They administer career assessments, teach individuals and groups how to write a résumé, interview for jobs, and resolve workplace issues. Career counselors work in colleges, non-profit organizations, government employment services, and in private practice. Most school and career counselors work full time; those who work in schools may have summers off. School counselors typically need a master’s degree in school counseling, and a state license or certification. Some states require teaching credentials as well. Career counselor positions often require a master’s degree in counseling with a focus on career development. Some states require licensure.
What they do:
Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.
On the job, you would:
Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to discuss children's progress, resolve behavioral, academic, and other problems, and to determine priorities for students and their resource needs.
Identify cases of domestic abuse or other family problems and encourage students or parents to seek additional assistance from mental health professionals.
Health
therapy and counseling
Math and Science
psychology
sociology and anthropology
Arts and Humanities
English language
Education and Training
teaching and course design
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
talking to others
Social
understanding people's reactions
looking for ways to help people
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
Attention
pay attention to something without being distracted
People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.
They do well at jobs that need:
Concern for Others
Integrity
Cooperation
Dependability
Self Control
Social Orientation
You might use software like this on the job:
Data base user interface and query software
Computer-assisted career guidance software
Microsoft Access
Analytical or scientific software
ACT WorkKeys
Computerized testing programs
Web page creation and editing software
Facebook
LinkedIn
master's degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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