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THE JOB
SCHOOL COUNSELORS help students with educational, vocational, emotional, and
social development. Their primary responsibility is to help students select
the academic field that best meets their educational or vocational goals.
They also help students with school, personal, social, and family problems
that affect classroom behavior and academic progress. They may provide,
teen parenting, individual and small- and large-group counseling, and
crisis intervention.
High School Counselors spend much of their time scheduling students into
classes. The counselor is often responsible for making sure students meet
graduation or college entrance requirements. They review transcripts to
determine graduation eligibility and write letters of recommendation. They
may also teach.
They provide information about college and vocational schools. They may also
provide grant and scholarship information.
Junior High School Counselors spend almost all of their time counseling
students, and usually are not involved with class scheduling. Most of them
teach part-time.
Elementary School Counselors identify aptitudes, learning difficulties, and
other basic aspects of a child's makeup. They use different methods on
younger students. Counselors spend much of their time observing students in
the classroom and consulting with teachers and parents. They may also
consult with school psychologists and social workers.
College Counselors deal with individuals whose problems may be more complex.
Their students come from diverse age and cultural backgrounds. Counselors
help students orient to college life, match them to degree programs based on
interest, aptitude, or educational assessment. Community college counselors
may also help students transfer to four-year colleges. Counselors may
specialize in such areas as college re-entry or rehabilitation. They may
teach career life-planning courses.
REHABILITATION COUNSELORS work in public or private agencies, colleges and
universities, or are self employed. They help people with physical, mental,
emotional, or social disabilities to adapt to the world of work. They
arrange vocational and academic assessment and place clients in suitable
training or jobs. They may arrange for on-site job coaching or assistive devices, such as
specially equipped wheel chairs, to help clients adapt to work or school
surroundings. They may work with people with a variety of disabilities,
or specialize in helping clients with the same disability, such as blindness
or deafness. They usually work as part of rehabilitation specialist teams
with physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, and physical and occupational
therapists. Together, they develop plans that fit with the clients'
aptitudes, education, physical abilities and career goals. Counselors
maintain close contact with clients during training to resolve problems and
to verify that the placement fits the clients' abilities.
WORKING CONDITIONS
High School Counselors handle a caseload of up to 600 students, leaving
little time for other serious problems. Some counselors divide their time
between two or more campuses. Personal safety may be a concern for
elementary, junior high, and high school counselors as violence on campuses
becomes more commonplace.
Rehabilitation counselors may spend time away from their office observing
clients on the job or developing job opportunities for clients.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment
published by the Labor Market Information Division. The figures represent
the broad occupational group Vocational and Education Counselors that
includes School and Rehabilitation Counselors.
Estimated number of workers in 1993 18,810
Estimated number of workers in 2005 26,050
Projected Growth 1993-2005 39%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 5,900
(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)
This occupation is expected to have a somewhat higher than average growth
rate throughout this decade. As the demand for counseling services growing
in the State's public school system, the need for counseling will grow.
Opportunities for jobs in rehabilitation counseling will depend on the level
of federal funding and proposed changes in the State Workers' Compensation
program. More opportunities will result from replacement needs than from
actual job growth.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Counselors' salaries vary a great deal according to education, experience,
location, and type of employer. The average salary for a counselor is a
about $3,500 per month.
School Counselors work nine or ten months a year. Some School Counselors
work evenings. Benefits for School and Rehabilitation Counselors in most
cases include paid vacation, sick leave, medical, dental, vision and life
insurance, and retirement plans.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
School Counselors are required to obtain a Pupil Personnel Services
Credential which requires completion of at least 30 semester units of school
counseling, including a practicum which involves students. The prospective
counselor must also pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST).
Community and four-year college counselors need a bachelor's degree and
current enrollment in a master of counseling, guidance, psychology, or
social studies. A community college credential is no longer required, but
it gives holders a competitive edge in the job market.
Rehabilitation Counselors should have a master's degree or be enrolled in a
master's program. Government agencies require a bachelor's degree with
related work experience. Many private rehabilitation firms hire certified
counselors, or require it for promotions. The Commission on Rehabilitation
Counselor Certification certifies counselors based on both experience and
education. The commission makes some provisions for counselors who began
work before a bachelor's degree was required.
ADVANCEMENT
As School Counselors gain work experience and meet continuing education
requirements, they receive salary increases. With graduate course work,
some advance to positions such as head counselor, director of pupil
services, director of guidance, or school psychologist. College and
university counselors may advance to dean of students, dean of placement or
personnel, financial aid director, or supervisor of testing.
Rehabilitation Counselors advance through regular salary steps as they gain
experience. Promotions may depend on graduate degrees, especially for those
who enter the field with only a bachelor's degree.
FINDING THE JOB
Job seekers should make one or more contacts from the following lists.
School Counselors:
Community college districts; public and private school systems
Public and private colleges and universities
Professional associations and college job placement centers
Rehabilitation Counselors:
State and federal rehabilitation agencies
(Positions are classified as vocational rehabilitation
counselors or specialists)
Professional associations and college job placement centers
Private rehabilitation companies
College and universities
Worker's compensation insurance companies
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
California Association for Counseling and Development
2555 East Chapman Ave, Suite 201
Fullerton, CA 92831
(714) 871-6460
http://www.cacd.org
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
P.O. Box 944270
Sacramento, CA 94244-2700
(916) 445-7256
http://www.ctc.ca.gov
American School Counselor Association
801 North Fairfax St. Suite 310
Alex VA 22314
(800) 306-4722
http://www.schoolcounselor.org
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Teachers, Elementary School No. 10
Teachers, Secondary School No. 57
Instructors, Community College No. 139
Occupational Therapists No. 143
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed., 1991)
Counselor 045.107-010
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 045.107-042
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Vocational & Educational Counselors 315140
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
Note: This is NOT a job opening. The purpose of This California Occupational Guide
is to provide you with useful information to help you make career decisions.
If you are searching for a job, go to:
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