Although their services are used in a wide variety of ways, the main function of school guidance counselors is to assist individual students with their problems, whether the problems are educational, social, or personal. To accomplish this, the counselors work closely with the school staff, parents, and the community.
Most guidance counselors are employed in secondary schools where they assist students in making career choices and work with them in selecting courses and meeting college requirements. Counselors also test and assess a student's abilities. A counselor's involvement in social problems includes work with drug and alcohol abuse, criminal behavior, and pregnancy. A student's personal problems can also require that the counselor help the student find a job or obtain medical or psychiatric help. In some schools, guidance counselors also teach some classes or supervise extracurricular activities.
The number of counselors in elementary schools is growing. At this educational level, counselors concentrate on the early detection of learning and personality problems because treatment and counseling can be most effective if started at an early age.
Most guidance counselors work in school buildings. A typical workday might include individual counseling sessions, meetings with small groups, or large meetings with students, parents, and community groups. Counselors may also be required to meet with law enforcement officers or agencies and with parents-sometimes in emotionally charged or unpleasant situations.
Places of employment and working conditions
Guidance counselors work in all areas of the United States in communities and schools of all sizes.
This is an active job, not always limited to an office atmosphere. There can be unpleasant and highly emotional confrontations from time to time, and a counselor must be careful not to become over-involved in the lives and problems of the individual students.
Qualifications and Training
A sincere desire to help young people is the most important characteristic for potential guidance counselors. The ability to work not only with students but with all members of the educational team is also essential. Guidance counselors should also have a thorough background in the study of human behavior.
Most guidance counselors come from the teaching profession, and most states require teacher certification as well as counseling certification for school counselors. College courses leading to teacher certification with additional courses in psychology and sociology are the best preparation.
One or two years of additional study are usually necessary to obtain the master's degree needed for counseling certification. Graduate courses usually include student appraisal, individual and group counseling, career information services, professional relations, ethics, statistics, and research. Depending on the state, from one to five years of teaching experience are also required.
Some states allow other types of education and experience and requirements have been changing rapidly in recent years. A prospective counselor should check with the appropriate state department of education before selecting a graduate program.
Potential and Advancement
Employment opportunities for school guidance counselors should be favorable through the years to come. Renewed emphasis on quality education has encouraged expanded counseling programs. Many schools will expand existing programs and initiate new ones in the coming years.
School counselors may advance to supervisory positions or administrative posts in larger schools or school districts. With additional education and experience, they can become educational psychologists or college counselors, positions that require a Ph.D.
Income
School counselors usually earn more than classroom teachers in the same school. Some counselors supplement their income with work for government, private, or industrial counseling units.
Additional Sources of Information
American School Counselor Association 1101 King Street, Suite 625, Alexandria VA 22314
