How to Become a Career Counselor

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Many people around the United States need help with choosing their career path and making good decisions. Career counseling is a practice that assists people in making the necessary connection between passion to work, understanding of work, and the purpose to complete an activity.

What does a career counselor do?

Career counselors provide career counseling services and their main focus is helping individuals with making career decisions. They look at and assess the individual’s education, skills, interests, personality traits, work history, and training. They may also set up achievement and aptitude tests to help people make decisions regarding their career. They work with people to help them increase their skills for job searching and often help individuals find and apply for jobs. Career counselors also give support to individuals who are experiencing stress in their job, job loss, or other issues related to transitioning to a career.

What kind of training does a career counselor need?

Career counselors typically need a master degree in counseling. Requirements vary by state and in some states a bachelor degree with sufficient coursework in counseling is acceptable. Most career counseling programs include courses in eight core areas: human growth and development, relationships, social and cultural diversity, group work, assessment, career development, professional identity, and research and program evaluation. Many master degree programs also require supervised clinical counseling experience.

Most states require career counselors to be licensed and the requirements vary by state, but usually include a passing score on an exam recognized by the state. Requirements also vary by field, for example a career counselor employed in a private practice may have to have a license, but one working for a career center at a college may not. Licensed career counselors usually have to participate in workshops, graduate studies, and personal studies to maintain their licenses.

What are the prospects for a career in career counseling?

Employment for career counselors is projected to grow as fast as average for all professions, increasing 13% from 2006 to 2016 (1).

The demand for career counselors will increase as many career and job changes become more widespread and as people become more aware of the counseling services that are available. Opportunities will also increase in private job-training centers that offer training and other services to people who have been laid-off and people who want to gain new skills or pursue a new career. Job prospects will also be fueled by the need to replace people retiring or leaving the career in other ways.

How much do career counselors make?

As of June 2009, the middle 50% of career counselors earned annual salaries between $38,686 and $48,170. The top 10% earned annual salaries of more than $52,804 (2).

A career as a career counselor is best for people who have a strong interest in helping others meet their career goals. They should also provide confidence, respect, inspiration, and trust.

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Take the first step today and request free information from our selected top online psychology schools, or simply use the tables below to find the program that is right for you!