We often forget that there are other professionals who interact with school children besides teachers, offering help and services which teachers may not be qualified or trained to provide. Among these are guidance counselors, also known as school counselors, who are on the school premises to help children get the most out of their educational experience. If a child is not functioning well academically or socially, it is the job of the school counselor to find out why and try to solve the problem. High school guidance counselors also advise students about their post-graduation career choices and help them with the college application process.
School counselors work at every level of education, including elementary, middle and high school. With each age group, the counselor’s job includes identifying personal problems that are interfering with a student’s ability to study and learn, evaluating academic aptitude and other skill sets, assessing social and emotional development and, with older students, offering career guidance. School counselors often use aptitude tests and other assessment tools. They may work one-on-one with a child, or call in the family to discuss a problem, if necessary.
Not every student goes through school with flying colors. All kinds of issues can prevent children from developing their minds, talents and abilities—including lack of confidence, problems at home, behavioral problems, poor study habits or immature social skills. School counselors may intervene to prevent bullying or help a student deal with a substance abuse problem. They have a professional obligation to report any instances of physical or sexual abuse of a child. School counselors work to make sure every student gets the most out of their school experience as possible, and help them transition comfortably from one level to the next. If this sounds like a rewarding and interesting career, enroll in the right educational program and get the credentials you need to work in this field.
- Find a counselor education program and complete a master’s degree in school counseling. You will certainly need to have a bachelor’s degree, and most states require school counselors to have a master’s degree. There are many graduate level counselor education programs from which to choose. These are typically 1- to 2-year programs that offer coursework in psychology, personality assessment, human development, counseling and evaluation techniques and career development. Many programs include supervised training, and courses in multicultural communication skills and substance abuse counseling.
- Get the professional credential required by your state. The licensing requirements to work as a school counselor are different for each state. Some states require a master’s degree, but others are satisfied with a bachelor’s degree. Some require applicants to have work experience or a teaching license. The American School Counselor Association publishes the requirements of each state.
- Decide which age group you want to work with. School guidance counselors handle different sets of issues and problems depending on the age group they work with. As you complete your education and preliminary training, you may find the elementary school environment most interesting. If you want to put your energy into career guidance and college prep, a job in a high school will be your path.
- Job opportunities and salary. With more kids expected in the schools, there should be plenty of job opportunities for school guidance counselors in the near future, in both public and private schools. As a credentialed counseling professional, you can expect a decent salary. The average annual pay for a school guidance counselor is about $53,000.
From kindergarten through to the end of high school, kids spend a significant portion of their young lives in school where, hopefully, they have the opportunity to develop their intelligence, talents, social skills and sense of personal accomplishment. The mission of the school guidance counselor is to help every child achieve his or her potential. It is important work. If you think you will find the work that you do in these jobs rewarding, start taking steps to qualify as a school counselor.