Career or School Counseling Career Work Environment
Learn where school counselors and career counselors work and what you'll do on a typical day.
A counselor's work environment can vary greatly depending upon his or her occupational specialty. Those engaged in a school counseling career work predominantly in schools. Some guidance counselors work in a private practice or maintain an independent advisor or consultant berth. Others may work in a community or state government organization.
Career counselors usually work in an office where they see clients throughout the day. Because privacy is essential, these counselors generally have private offices where they can confidentially discuss career options with their clients. Other career counselors work in state government offices like the unemployment office, where they advise adults who are entering or re-entering the workforce or who may have been laid off and are looking for work.
Work Schedule
School Counselors
The work schedules of counselors depend on their occupational specialty and work setting. Some school counselors work the traditional nine- to 10-month school year with a two- to three-month vacation, but many are now more frequently employed on 11-month or full-year contracts, particularly those working in middle and high schools. They usually work the same hours as teachers, but they may travel more frequently to attend conferences and conventions. College career planning and placement counselors work long and irregular hours during student recruiting periods.
Career Counselors
Career counselors who are employed by a state, federal or private employment agency will tend to work a traditional 40-hour week. A career counselor in private practice may work less or more than the 40-hour standard, depending upon client load and how they have structured their practice. Their work may also carry over to home after business hours, where they could be required to do client paperwork or field phone calls in the case of an emergency.
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