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Those in vocational counseling careers are also sometimes referred to as vocational counselors or employment counselors. Vocational counseling career professionals provide educational and career counseling to individuals and groups of people of all ages and backgrounds—from high school students to ex-convicts. These counselors apply interest and aptitude assessment tests, personality tests, interviews, counseling sessions and other methods to find careers that best suit their clients.  Career counselors perform the following duties: - Explore a client's job history, education, training, interests, skills and personality to evaluate individual career potential
- Administer personality, interest, career and aptitude assessment tests
- Advise clients on college, trade and technical schools
- Provide support and information for people who are jobless
- Help clients secure job shadowing opportunities, internships and apprenticeships
- Help people develop their job search skills and apply for jobs
- Encourage networking through interest groups within the community
- Edit and strengthen resumes
- Conduct practice interviews
- Guide individuals through common career etiquette land mines, such as negotiating salary or asking for a raise
- Operate career centers and career information programs within the community
Vocational Counseling Career Work Environment The work environment of a career counselor is typically in a private office where they see clients individually or in group sessions. Some career counselors may be employed in a high school, college or university campus, while others run private consulting practices, community programs such as job fairs, or private programs such as those in rehabilitation clinics. A growing number of career counselors are employed within state and local governments, where they assist with unemployment and welfare programs. Vocational Counseling Career Training and Education A bachelor's degree in psychology is typically needed to work as a career counselor; however, the majority of career counselors have earned a master's degree in career or vocational counseling, or in psychology. In addition, many employers require that career counselors become licensed in career counseling (licensing is a must if you want to operate a private practice). Certification is available through the Center for Credentialing Education or the National Board for Certified Counselors. It is also offered through select state government agencies.  Guidance/Career Counseling Home
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Did You Know?- Life coaching is a breakout career that combines career counseling, psychology, leadership training and mentoring. Life coaches administer career assessment tests and help clients with behavior modification (to overcome fears such as public speaking), goal setting and other services that their clients might need.
- Experienced life coaches command high salaries for their work, and unlike professions in similar fields, life coaching has no training standard or required certification process (although the best life coaches have a strong background in career counseling, psychology and sociology).
Salary Data According to a 2009 report from Salary.com, career counselors earn a median salary of $57,848 annually, with half of career counselors in the U.S. earning between $50,425 and $64,337. |
