Why Become a Counselor?

When asked, lots of students say that they might want to become a counselor when they grow up. But why? Well, school counselors and counselors in general are interested in helping people. School counselors help kids of all ages and can help with any problems or challenges that students may face. School counselors have excellent communication skills and can help students cope with adversity, prepare for college, or talk about bullies and more! For some, counseling others isn't just a job, but an opportunity to make a difference. As a school counselor, kids will look to you as a role model and value your advice. You'll have the ability to discuss issues like preparing for college, adjusting to a new school, and dealing with family issues like divorce. Counselors can speak to students individually or in groups - either way students are able to benefit from the counselor's expertise and knowledge.

What Are Some of the Benefits?

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the counseling profession is growing! In fact, demand for counselors is expected to increase by 21% from 2006-2016. This is good news because even in a weakening economy positions for counselors are expected to be readily available. Currently, there are more jobs for counselors than there are qualified applicants!

Your work schedule can also provide 2-3 months of vacation time depending upon the school you work for. This can be great since most professions don't offer such lucrative vacation time. You'll also have health and retirement benefits, but these benefits vary from school to school and state to state.

How Can I Prepare?

If you're still in elementary or middle school, then the easiest way to prepare to become a counselor is by working on your listening skills. You can practice listening and taking notes in the classroom and at home. From all of the practicing, you may even notice your grades get better!

For those of you in high school, consider "shadowing" your school counselor. All that means is that you'll follow your school counselor throughout the course of a day to see what they do for students. It's kind of like an internship, but just for a day. Or, you could even consider asking your school counselor if you can volunteer your time before or after school and help them with their duties.

College students interested in becoming a counselor typically major in education or psychology. There are no specific universities or colleges for counseling. The vast majority of 4 year colleges and universities offer degrees in education and counseling, so when choosing a college, look for one that best suits you and your needs. After graduating from a 4 year college or university you will need to get your master's degree (an additional 1-2 years of school) in school counseling. You will also need to complete approximately 3,000 hours of supervised training and become certified in school counseling. To be certified means that you'll have to take and pass tests about school counseling. You can choose to be certified by your state or nationally. If you're certified by both your state and nationally, you can expect to earn slightly more money!

Expected Salary

According to the Occupation Outlook Handbook, the median income of a counselor was $47,530. The general salary range is between $36,120 and $60,990. Your salary and benefits can vary depending upon your location, experience, and type of school you work for.