What Does it Take to Be an Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor?
Job Description: Counsel individuals and provide group educational and vocational guidance services.
What Do Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors Do On a Daily Basis?
- Counsel individuals to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
- Plan and conduct orientation programs and group conferences to promote the adjustment of individuals to new life experiences, such as starting college.
- 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.
- Supervise, train, and direct professional staff and interns.
- Provide special services such as alcohol and drug prevention programs and classes that teach students to handle conflicts without resorting to violence.
- Compile and study occupational, educational, and economic information to assist counselees in determining and carrying out vocational and educational objectives.
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Qualities of an Educational or Vocational Counselor
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.
Related Job Titles
- Resume Writer
- Transition Specialist
- Students Okay Without Drugs and Alcohol Counselor (SODA Counselor)
- Student Services Counselor
- Foreign Student Adviser
Job Opportunities for Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 291,700 jobs in the United States for Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor. 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. The BLS estimates 35,300 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
How Much Does an Educational or Vocational Counselor Make?
Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors make between $33,610 and $94,690 a year.
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 |
What Tools & Technology do Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors may use on a daily basis:
- 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
How to Become an Educational or Vocational Counselor
What education is needed to be an Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor?
What work experience do I need to become an Educational or Vocational Counselor?
Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors Sector
Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors work in the following industries:
Related Careers
Those who work as an Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
- Education Professors
- Postsecondary Education Administrators
- Home Economics Professors
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Professors
References:
Image Credit: Umary.marketing via CC BY-SA 4.0
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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