Classroom learning for academic achievement isn’t the only concern in America’s 98,454 public and 30,861 private schools. While teachers oversee their grades and testing, K-12 students often need extra guidance to overcome non-academic issues, such as bullying, addiction, abuse, lack of self-esteem, and mental health concerns. That’s why guidance counselors are an indispensable part of the school community to support pupils’ overall personal, social, and vocational growth. Also called school counselors, these master’s-level professionals serve as coaches and advocate for each child’s unique needs. Guidance counselors create a caring, supportive atmosphere for students to voice their concerns and receive help without judgment. Whether in an elementary or senior high school, counselors provide valuable assistance for shaping today’s children into tomorrow’s stable, productive citizens.
Salary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the 253,460 educational counselors across the United States reap a mean annual wage of $56,490, or $27.16 per hour. K-12 school districts provide guidance counselors a slightly higher average salary at $63,760. Yet vocational rehabilitation services pays counselors significantly less at $40,800 on average. The highest paid school counselors work for the federal executive branch for a mean salary of $67,600.
Beginning Salary
Starting salaries in guidance counseling, especially in smaller, rural schools, land in the bottom 10th percentile of earnings around $32,280 yearly. Experienced guidance counselors are highly prized members of the education team though, so their salaries can grow beyond $87,640. Advancing into school administration offers an average annual income of $92,940 too. For example, principals claim a median pay of $90,410 each year.
Key Responsibilities
Guidance counselors have the primary responsibility of lending an ear and helpful advice to students facing problems in their school or personal life. Using a strengths-based approach, they’ll counsel individuals or small groups to shrink any obstacles to students’ success. Many will collaborate with teachers and administrators to create school-wide events that develop good social skills. At the high school level, guidance counselors help students construct post-secondary plans by reviewing college applications, administering ACT/SAT tests, and practicing interviews. Other duties include maintaining student records, counseling absent pupils, analyzing aptitude test results, making schedule changes, and meeting with parents/guardians. Guidance counselors are also mandated reporters who must report possible cases of child abuse and neglect.
Necessary Skills
Stepping into a guidance counselor’s shoes will require a friendly, compassionate nature that encourages students to talk about difficult situations causing them stress. Extensive interpersonal skills are essential for counselors to communicate with younger pupils while also maintaining good work relationships with the school’s adults. Guidance counselors need listening skills to devote full, uninhibited attention to students’ needs. Analytical and critical thinking skills also help counselors read “between the lines” for issues students are scared to share. Guidance counseling requires flexibility in both cultural views and therapeutic methods to serve a diverse student body. Today’s counselors should also possess good organizational, leadership, public speaking, and technology skills.
Degree and Education Requirements
Becoming a guidance counselor is an intricate process that requires fulfilling state-issued certification requirement. Non-school vocational settings may hire counselors with solely a bachelor’s degree in the human services. Yet virtually all guidance counselors in K-12 schools and colleges will need a master’s degree in school counseling or student affairs counseling. It’s recommended that you select a CACREP-accredited curriculum. Some states will require becoming certified teachers with elementary or secondary education degrees first. Master’s degrees are often sufficient, but studying further for a Ph.D. in Counselor Supervision or Education will unlock advancement into higher education.
Pros and Cons of the Position
Guidance counseling is an altruistic vocational calling that provides both advantages and drawbacks. Let’s start off positive by stating that job growth is creating a favorable market for new master’s degree graduates. Guidance counselors have a salary potential that’s higher than many teaching specialties with great benefits. Those working in schools benefit from having summers off, but jobs are available in diverse, private and nonprofit offices. Guidance counselors reap the intrinsic reward of working with youth and inspiring them to succeed despite obstacles or disabilities. On the other hand, counselors frequently feel overburdened since the average counselor-student ratio is 420:1. Dealing with troubled, and possibly violent, students can cause above-average stress. Guidance counselors can bear the brunt of unhappy parents’ anger during school conflicts. Positions require investing time and money into a master’s degree for state licensing. Competition is also strong despite job growth due to lower numbers of guidance counselors to teachers.
Getting Started
Nurturing your experience and passion for serving children while earning a suitable degree is the vital first step. Aspiring guidance counselors should jump on every opportunity to enter school buildings and interact with multicultural learners. Accredited master’s programs typically require field practicum and at least 600 internship hours. Request a placement in a guidance counseling office at the grade level preferred: elementary, middle, or high. Network with the teachers and administrators to become well-versed in school life. After graduation, you’ll take the Praxis an equivalent exam and submit to a background check for certification. You could also pursue the National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) credential from the NBCC. Then, begin hunting for job openings by forming a LinkedIn account, contacting your university’s career services, and joining the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).
Future Outlook
Annual enrollment in the United States’ public and private K-12 schools is expected to continue rising to 56.5 million in 2025. It’s likely that schools will respond by hiring more guidance counselors to accommodate their growing community’s developmental needs. Many colleges are also expanding their on-site career centers to foster students’ transition into the workforce. Employment may be tempered in public schools by looming budget deficits. Therefore, the BLS is conservative in projecting 8 percent job growth in guidance counseling through 2024 for 22,500 new positions nationwide. Guidance counselors can find these jobs in elementary or secondary schools, junior colleges, universities, vocational rehabilitation offices, government agencies, and even private practices.
The U.S. News and World Report ranked guidance counseling as the #11 best social service job with a low unemployment rate at 2.8 percent. School counselors play a pivotal role in guiding students from childhood into adulthood with kindness and patience. Becoming a guidance counselor will make you a role model and safe confidante for students to discuss their pressing social, emotional, and career concerns. Individuals with a passion for aiding students’ growth could also consider being school psychologists or school social workers.
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