If you enjoy working with kids but the idea of being a teacher doesn’t appeal to you, a career as a School Counselor may be a better fit. School Counselors work with students from elementary school through college, helping them make decisions and manage problems related to academic goals, personal issues, social development, and career choices. School counselors advocate for their students and ensure the school’s programs are meeting all students’ academic, social, emotional, and special needs. The goal of school counselors is to help their students succeed in ways that suit their talents, needs, and personalities.

The work of a school counselor is different every day and includes handling crisis situations, working with students on peer relationships, evaluating students strengths and needs, counseling individual students and groups of students, and meeting with parents and teachers. School counselor programs combine counseling fundamentals with developmental psychology and principles of education. Many schools require that school counselors have a master’s degree in counseling. Public school counselors must have a state counseling certification. Some states require both a teaching license and a counseling certificate, and may also require counselors to have teaching experience.

School Counselor Related Careers

Elementary school counselors spend much of their time observing and evaluating children and communicating with parents and teachers in an effort to ensure that school programs meet the children’s needs. High school and college counselors are skilled in academic and career counseling. They help students plan for the future by assessing their talents and interests. As students prepare to leave high school, school counselors guide them through the processes of applying for college, trade school, and jobs. College career counselors assist students by teaching job search skills, resume writing, and interview techniques.

What’s the Job Outlook?

The job outlook for school counselors is good. Since it has become the norm for people to make one or more career changes in their lifetime, there is a significant demand for school counselors. People are also more aware that such services exist, seeking it out more than in the past, also increasing the need for school counselors.

How much does it pay?

Median salaries for wage and salary educational, vocational, and school counselors in May 2006 ranged from $31,340 to $53,750, with median annual earnings at $47,530.

Select School Counselor Degree Program: