What does a Guidance Counselor do?
Published 3 min read
A guidance counselor is a professional who helps people with their personal, social, and academic problems.
Guidance Counselor job duties include:
- Advise students on academic, personal, and social problems.
- Assist students in developing realistic plans for their future education and career.
- Collaborate with teachers, parents, and other professionals to help students succeed.
- Counsel students individually and in groups to discuss issues such as academic problems, career planning, and personal concerns.
- Develop and implement guidance programs that promote student success.
- Evaluate student records and test results to determine each student’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Identify at-risk students and provide them with support and resources.
- Serve as a resource for parents on topics such as college planning and parenting skills.
- Stay up-to-date on education trends and developments to best serve students.
Guidance Counselor Job Requirements
A guidance counselor typically needs a master’s degree in counseling, although some jobs may only require a bachelor’s degree. Certification requirements vary by state. Some states have certification exams for guidance counselors, while others have registration or licensure processes. Many states also require guidance counselors to complete continuing education credits to maintain their certification. In terms of experience, most guidance counselors have at least a few years of experience working with students in a school setting before becoming a guidance counselor.
Guidance Counselor Skills
- Patience
- Listening
- Empathy
- Communication
- Conflict Resolution
- Organizational
- Time Management
- Stress Management
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
Related: Top Guidance Counselor Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Guidance Counselor
A guidance counselor is a professional who helps people with their personal, social, and academic problems. They work in schools, colleges, and universities. There are many different types of guidance counselors, but all of them share some common characteristics.
To become a guidance counselor, you will need to have a strong interest in helping people. You should be able to work well with others, and have good communication skills. You will also need to be patient and understand that some people may not want to talk about their problems.
If you have these qualities, then you may want to consider becoming a guidance counselor. There are many different ways to become one, but the most common way is to get a degree in counseling or psychology. Once you have your degree, you will need to get a license from your state's Board of Psychology.
Once you have your degree and license, you can start working as a guidance counselor. You can work in a school, college, or university. You can also work in a private practice.
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