How to Become a Career Counselor

Students, working parents, mid career changers, fresh career starters - all of them need career counseling to choose an appropriate career path. Only passion for work will not help. Many people across the United States need a career counselor for educational and career guidance. Based on an individual's interests, skills, strengths, personality traits, weaknesses and work history, career counseling experts recommend ways for the planning and development of career. There are aptitude tests to be taken by candidates and those who need educational guidance. Students and other candidates are able to make well informed decisions depending on the result of the career assessment tests. Counseling helps even when people face stressful job situations and get stuck in their careers and are unable to decide which direction they should be heading.

The occupation of career counseling is quite challenging. At the same time, it gives great amount of satisfaction as counselors help people plan and develop their careers. Helping people and seeing them achieve their career goals is absolutely an achievement in itself. There is no dearth of career options for counselors. They can work at college counseling centers, private training centers or they can also start private practice.

Counselors spend most of their time meeting with their clients. They are responsible for guiding and counseling people and recommending ways that bring clients not only job satisfaction, but financial fulfillment and happiness as well. The counselor should have the ability to gain the trust of the clients and people that they provide guidance to. These professionals need to deal with a range of career related issues including employer search, job hunting, job loss, career planning, career development, career change etc. In any case, a strong desire to help people and resolve their career related problems is key to becoming successful as a career counselor.

Education or Training Required for Becoming a Career Counselor
Educational requirements to become a career counselor may vary from one state to another. Though some states may accept a bachelor's degree in career counseling to be in this occupation, a master's degree in career counseling is needed for a successful career. There are a number of professional schools, colleges and universities across the United States offering counseling degrees and training programs. The coursework for a counseling degree includes training in the following essential areas -

Human growth and development
Social and cultural diversity
Career assessment
Career development
Group work
Professional identity
Research and program evaluation

Abiding by the state rules and regulations, career counselors also need to be licensed for practicing their profession. Licensing requirements ay also vary depending on the field you work in. Those who work in college counseling and guidance center may not need a license. However, those who are in private practice need to be licensed to provide counseling services.

Career Prospects for Counselors
With the awareness about counseling increasing more and more, the job market for counselors is becoming stronger than ever. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth rate for career counselors is expected to increase by 13 percent through to the year 2016. Excellent job opportunities await counselors at private training centers as well. With a large number of people retiring from their counseling job positions, more job opportunities will be created for career counselors.

Salary Information
The salary of a career counselor may vary depending on the years of experience they have and the work location. Counselors earn an annual salary ranging between $38,686 and $48,170. With some experience under the belt, counselors can look forward to earning a higher salary.