Life As an Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor
Educational or Vocational Counselor Definition Counsel individuals and provide group educational and vocational guidance services.
A Day in the Life of an Educational or Vocational Counselor
- Observe students during classroom and play activities to evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- 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.
- Instruct individuals in career development techniques, such as job search and application strategies, resume writing, and interview skills.
- Refer qualified counselees to employers or employment services for job placement.
- Compile and study occupational, educational, and economic information to assist counselees in determining and carrying out vocational and educational objectives.
- Counsel individuals to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
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What an Educational or Vocational Counselor Should Know
Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Types of Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor
- Vocational Evaluator
- Education Coordinator
- Employment Specialist
- Employment Counselor
- Admissions Counselor
Job Outlook for Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors
In the United States, there were 291,700 jobs for Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 12.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 36,700 new jobs for Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 35,300 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Educational or Vocational Counselor are Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of an Educational or Vocational Counselor
The typical yearly salary for Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors is somewhere between $33,610 and $94,690.
Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors who work in California, New Jersey, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
How much do Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $53,420 |
| Alaska | $66,730 |
| Arizona | $53,980 |
| Arkansas | $53,950 |
| California | $74,530 |
| Colorado | $53,090 |
| Connecticut | $65,510 |
| Delaware | $63,990 |
| District of Columbia | $67,050 |
| Florida | $50,350 |
| Georgia | $56,500 |
| Hawaii | $59,110 |
| Idaho | $43,660 |
| Illinois | $56,540 |
| Indiana | $51,560 |
| Iowa | $54,650 |
| Kansas | $50,100 |
| Kentucky | $58,770 |
| Louisiana | $55,500 |
| Maine | $53,100 |
| Maryland | $65,910 |
| Massachusetts | $69,570 |
| Michigan | $55,890 |
| Minnesota | $58,360 |
| Mississippi | $50,940 |
| Missouri | $50,900 |
| Montana | $48,010 |
| Nebraska | $60,200 |
| Nevada | $54,960 |
| New Hampshire | $53,070 |
| New Jersey | $72,050 |
| New Mexico | $56,200 |
| New York | $67,920 |
| North Carolina | $50,140 |
| North Dakota | $57,250 |
| Ohio | $57,280 |
| Oklahoma | $44,000 |
| Oregon | $62,250 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,260 |
| Rhode Island | $62,800 |
| South Carolina | $52,890 |
| South Dakota | $42,750 |
| Tennessee | $51,240 |
| Texas | $60,080 |
| Utah | $52,200 |
| Vermont | $54,790 |
| Virginia | $65,230 |
| Washington | $64,210 |
| West Virginia | $44,730 |
| Wisconsin | $55,330 |
| Wyoming | $56,080 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Microsoft Publisher
- Google Docs
- FileMaker Pro
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
Becoming an Educational or Vocational Counselor
What education or degrees do I need to become an Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor?
What work experience do I need to become an Educational or Vocational Counselor?
Where Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors Work
Below are examples of industries where Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors work:
Similar Careers
Are you already one of the many Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
- Education Professors
- Postsecondary Education Administrators
- Home Economics Professors
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Professors
References:
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