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What does a High School Counselor do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A high school counselor is a professional who helps students with their academic, social, and emotional development. Counselors work with students to identify their strengths and weaknesses, set goals, and develop plans to achieve those goals. They also provide support and guidance to students who are struggling with personal issues or who are facing difficult life circumstances.

High School Counselor job duties include:

  • Advise students on course selection, graduation requirements, and career planning.
  • Assist students in resolving personal, social, and academic problems.
  • Develop and implement individualized student plans.
  • Monitor student progress and identify areas of concern.
  • Collaborate with teachers, parents, and other professionals to support student success.
  • Provide crisis intervention as needed.
  • Maintain confidential student records.
  • Facilitate college and scholarship applications.
  • Plan and implement school-wide guidance programs.

High School Counselor Job Requirements

Most high school counselors have at least a master’s degree in counseling, although some have a doctorate. Many states also require counselors to be licensed or certified. In addition to education, most states require counselors to have several years of experience working with children and adolescents in a professional setting.

High School Counselor Skills

  • Communication
  • Organization
  • Time management
  • Active listening
  • Patience
  • Problem-solving
  • Critical thinking
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Conflict resolution
  • Compassion
  • Public speaking

Related: Top High School Counselor Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a High School Counselor

There are many steps to becoming a high school counselor. The most important step is to get a degree in counseling or a related field. Once you have your degree, you will need to get certified by the state in which you wish to work. After you are certified, you can begin working as a high school counselor.

Most high school counselors have a master’s degree in counseling or a related field. To become a counselor, you will need to complete an accredited counseling program. During your studies, you will take courses in human development, psychology, and sociology. You will also complete practicum and internship experiences.

After you have completed your degree and obtained certification, you can begin working as a high school counselor. In this role, you will provide academic, career, and personal counseling to students. You will also collaborate with teachers and other school staff to support students’ success.

Related: High School Counselor Resume Example

Related: High School Counselor Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

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Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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