Occupation Details
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.
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Interests
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$43,360.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$63,830.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$86,910.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
31,620
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
38,110
+649 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
3,849
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
More School - Graduate or advanced degree
Experience Requirements
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Training Details
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
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.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Sociology and Anthropology
Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Social Orientation
Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Audio recorders
- Desktop computers
- Digital video disk DVD players
- Laptop computers
- Liquid crystal display LCD projectors
- Overhead display projectors
- Personal computers
- Personal digital assistants PDA
- Photocopying equipment
- Projection equipment
- Video cassette recorders VCR
- Video recorders
- Videoconferencing equipment
Technology
- ACT Discover
- ACT WorkKeys
- Adobe Systems Adobe ActionScript
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Athena Software Penelope Case Management
- Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
- Blackboard Wimba
- Blackboard software
- Bloomz
- Career Cruising
- Career Dimensions Focus 2
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC WONDER
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epi Info
- Chat software
- College Central Network Career Services Central
- Common Curriculum
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- refer clients to job openings
- refer applicant to other hiring personnel
- coordinate social service activities with resource providers
- monitor student progress
- organize reference materials
- maintain educational records, reports, or files
- analyze psychological testing data
- use psychological assessment tools
- assist clients in understanding personal or interactive problems
- communicate student progress
- conduct parent conferences
- make presentations
- compile information through interviews
- recognize interrelationships among individuals or social groups
- recognize physical or emotional abuse
- recognize student learning levels
- recognize student problems
- interpret psychological test results
- assess educational potential or need of students
- convert information into instructional program
- organize educational material or ideas
- teach individuals work-related techniques or skills
- select teaching materials to meet student needs
- mentor co-workers in school or educational setting
- develop plans for programs or projects
- follow confidentiality procedures
- use counseling techniques
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- use intervention techniques
- use interviewing procedures
- use labor market information
- follow patient observation procedures
- use teaching techniques
- use conflict resolution techniques
- use public speaking techniques
- use behavior modification techniques
- refer clients to community services or resources
- advise students
- consult with parents or school personnel to determine student needs
- record student progress
- obtain information from individuals
- work as a team member
- maintain relationships with students
- establish and maintain relationships with students
- establish and maintain relationships with team members
- empathize with others during counseling or related services
- counsel individuals with personal problems
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
- Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to discuss children's progress, resolve behavioral, academic, and other problems, and to determine priorities for students and their resource needs.
- Identify cases of domestic abuse or other family problems and encourage students or parents to seek additional assistance from mental health professionals.
- Counsel individuals to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
- Counsel students regarding educational issues, such as course and program selection, class scheduling and registration, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.
- Review transcripts to ensure that students meet graduation or college entrance requirements, and write letters of recommendation.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- Provide students with information on topics such as college degree programs and admission requirements, financial aid opportunities, trade and technical schools, and apprenticeship programs.
- Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Teach classes and present self-help or information sessions on subjects related to education and career planning.
- Provide special services such as alcohol and drug prevention programs and classes that teach students to handle conflicts without resorting to violence.
- Refer students to degree programs based on interests, aptitudes, or educational assessments.
- Conduct follow-up interviews with counselees to determine if their needs have been met.
- Instruct individuals in career development techniques, such as job search and application strategies, resume writing, and interview skills.
- Plan and promote career and employment-related programs and events, such as career planning presentations, work experience programs, job fairs, and career workshops.
- Plan and conduct orientation programs and group conferences to promote the adjustment of individuals to new life experiences, such as starting college.
- Evaluate students' or individuals' abilities, interests, and personality characteristics, using tests, records, interviews, or professional sources.
- Assess needs for assistance, such as rehabilitation, financial aid, or additional vocational training, and refer clients to the appropriate services.
- Collaborate with teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of school programs and in the preparation of master schedules for curriculum offerings.
- Observe students during classroom and play activities to evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Establish and enforce administration policies and rules governing student behavior.
- Address community groups, faculty, and staff members to explain available counseling services.
- Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
- Attend meetings, educational conferences, and training workshops, and serve on committees.
- Compile and study occupational, educational, and economic information to assist counselees in determining and carrying out vocational and educational objectives.
- Provide information for teachers and staff members involved in helping students or graduates identify and pursue employment opportunities.
- Establish and supervise peer-counseling and peer-tutoring programs.
- Plan, direct, and participate in recruitment and enrollment activities.
- Establish contacts with employers to create internship and employment opportunities for students.
- Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
- Supervise, train, and direct professional staff and interns.
- Refer qualified counselees to employers or employment services for job placement.
- Interview clients to obtain information about employment history, educational background, and career goals, and to identify barriers to employment.
- Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Caseworkers and Counselors
Visit this link for information on this career in the military.
Learn MoreCounselors
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More