Guidance Counselors Job Description: Duties, Knowledge and Training Requirements, Job Information
Submitted by: Cheska Davenport
Job Overview: Guidance counselors are people specialized in providing programs of guidance services for students usually in middle and high schools. They help students basically planning for their careers and college degrees, but their tasks usually stretch into listening to students’ problems and issues, helping them carry out better performance both in academics and their social environment, and as well as motivate them to enjoy their lives as students preparing for their future. They teach students how to decide on their own, cope with trials and frustrations, and as well develop their overall emotional wellbeing.
Education, Knowledge and Training Required: In order to become a guidance counselor, one should have acquired a bachelor’s degree in education, as well as higher degrees of academic learning such as a master’s or doctorate degree in guidance counseling. There are professional certifications which have to be earned in order to get a guidance license in guidance counseling. Most guidance counselors were able to land on the job after years of experience as teachers in a school campus, as this helps them to get to know the students and who whole culture going on inside the school.
Skills and Abilities: In order to become a successful guidance counselor, one should have the ability to socialize and understand the needs of others, in this case, students. They need to establish good rapport and communication with their students, as well as other people such as parents and teachers, understand their situations and backgrounds. Guidance counselors are expected to be sociable and capable of discussing and facing sensitive issues such as race, religion, disability and sexual orientation.
They also need to have the patience with their students, the ability to stay cool, calm and collected, and as well have fair judgment and firm decision making abilities.
Tasks: Guidance counselors are usually found in private and public schools, and their main job is to provide programs which would benefits the students enrolled in their schools. These programs include promotion of academic development, enhancement of social and community awareness, as well as individual growth and wellbeing. Guidance counselors are usually in charge of providing opportunities such as application forms for college entrance exams, scholarships and grants, extra-curricular and inter-school activities, as well as fairs and exhibits which would show the skills and prowess of the students. They also talk to students who need to improve on their own abilities and qualities. They give advice to problem students and motivate them to do better in school, as well as provide the adequate recommendations for them to hone their abilities and reduce their erratic behavior. They also conduct workshops for students as a whole, mainly tackling about career development and planning for the future. There are also times when guidance counselors talk to the parents of students who are having issues at school, so that they can help these kids improve on their own personal qualities even while not in class.
Earnings and Job Outlook: The earnings of guidance counselors vary on the school they work in. On the average, guidance counselors earn around $46,440 per year. They also get good vacation time during summer, as well as fringe benefits such as life and health insurance, tuition reimbursements and retirement plans.
Cheska Davenport is a career search strategist who focuses on creating power resumes and providing job search advice that aim to help individuals achieve their target goals in the job market.
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Word Count: 565 Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2010 Time: 7:14 AM
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