Career counseling is recognized as an essential need for students and professionals who want to be sure that they make right choices on every step. While counseling is available in educational institutes, not every organization may offer the facility. Furthermore, counseling in educational institutes may sometimes not offer enough attention to individuals that they require to get their problems solved, which is why they turn to independent career counseling services, which are also available online.
Pursuing a Career in Career Counseling Services
If you plan to become a career counselor, then one of the options that you have is to join one of the career counseling services. These are firms combining the services of various career counselors which offer specialized services to various clients. You would be required to keep your clients at a level of comfort emotionally, listen to their problems and help them resolve it in a friendly manner. You should help them in realizing their interests and passions and should encourage them to pursue them offering a realistic roadmap.
Career in Career Counseling Services: Qualification, Courses, Training
You can be hired by a career counseling service if you are holding a Masters degree in Psychology or one of the liberal arts broadly, apart from fulfilling other specific requirements depending on the particular service. Some services would require at least some counseling experience. For supervisory counseling positions, greater experience in counseling could be required, along with higher educational qualifications, such as doctorate and counseling training courses. Certain services would even require CACREP accreditation or a certification from the National Board of Certified Counselors.
Career in Career Counseling Services: Schools, Colleges, Universities
Career counseling services would prefer professionals graduating from prestigious schools. Some of the best in the United States include the following.
- Stanford University, Stanford, CA
- University of California-Berkley, Berkley, CA
- Harvard University, Boston, MA
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, St. Paul, MN
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Career in Career Counseling Services: Job Opportunities, Salaries and Recruitment
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the career counselors based at Vocational Rehabilitation Centers earn $35,220 per year on average. The job growth of these positions are projected to be 14% for the period from 2008 to 2018.