What Does it Take to Be an Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor?
Career Description Counsel individuals and provide group educational and vocational guidance services.
Educational or Vocational Counselor Responsibilities
- Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
- Provide information for teachers and staff members involved in helping students or graduates identify and pursue employment opportunities.
- Instruct individuals in career development techniques, such as job search and application strategies, resume writing, and interview skills.
- Supervise, train, and direct professional staff and interns.
- Refer qualified counselees to employers or employment services for job placement.
- Plan, direct, and participate in recruitment and enrollment activities.
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Skills Needed to be an Educational or Vocational Counselor
When polled, Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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 or Vocational Counselor Jobs
- Guidance Counselor
- Career Coach
- Guidance Adviser
- Career Services Coordinator
- Student Advisor
Job Demand 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. There will be an estimated 35,300 positions for Educational or Vocational Counselor per 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.
Salary for an Educational or Vocational Counselor
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.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors in different U.S. states.
| 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 do Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors Use?
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?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors Sector
Below are examples of industries where Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors work:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Career changers with experience as an Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
- 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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