COUNSELORS

Nature of the Work

Counselors assist people with personal, family, social, educational, and career decisions, problems, and concerns.  Their duties depend on the individuals they serve and the settings in which they work.  They include school and college counselors, who help students understand their abilities, interests, talents, and personality characteristics so that the student can develop realistic academic and career options, college career planning and placement counselors, who help students and alumni with career development and job hunting, rehabilitation counselors, who help persons deal with the personal, social, and vocational impact of their disabilities and mental health counselors, who emphasize prevention and work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental health. 

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Generally, counselors have a master's degree in college student affairs, elementary or secondary school counseling, gerontological counseling, marriage and family counseling, substance abuse counseling, rehabilitation counseling, agency or community counseling, mental health counseling, counseling psychology, career counseling, or a related field. Graduate level counselor education programs in colleges and universities usually are in departments of education or psychology.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of counselors is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005.  In addition, replacement needs should increase significantly by the end of the decade as a large number of counselors reach retirement age.

Earnings

Median earnings for full-time educational and vocational counselors were about $30,000 a year in 1992.  The middle 50 percent earned between $24,000 and $41,500 a year.  The bottom 10 percent earned less than $17,800 a year, while the top 10 percent earned over $51,900 a year.  The average salary of school counselors in the 1992-93 academic year was about $40,400. Some school counselors earn additional income working summers in the school system or in other jobs.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting the following organizations:

American Counseling Association, 5999 Stevenson Ave., Alexandria, VA 22304.

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, American Counseling Association, 5999 Stevenson Ave., Alexandria, VA 22304.

National Board for Certified Counselors, 3-D Terrace Way, Greensboro, NC 27403.

National Rehabilitation Counseling Association, 1910 Association Dr., Reston, VA 22091.

National Council on Rehabilitation Education, Department of Special Education, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-2870.

Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, 1835 Rohlwing Rd., Suite E, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008.

American School Counselor Association, 5999 Stevenson Ave., Alexandria, VA 22304.

For general information about counseling, as well as information on specialties such as school, college, mental health, rehabilitation, multicultural, career, marriage and family, and gerontological counseling, contact:

State departments of education can supply information on colleges and universities that offer approved guidance and counseling training for State certification and licensure requirements.

State employment service offices have information about job opportunities and entrance requirements for counselors.


