What You'll Do

  • Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
  • Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
  • Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
  • Provide students with information on topics such as college degree programs and admission requirements, financial aid opportunities, trade and technical schools, and apprenticeship programs.
  • Teach classes and present self-help or information sessions on subjects related to education and career planning.
  • Conduct follow-up interviews with counselees to determine if their needs have been met.
  • Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
  • Plan and conduct orientation programs and group conferences to promote the adjustment of individuals to new life experiences, such as starting college.
  • Assess needs for assistance, such as rehabilitation, financial aid, or additional vocational training, and refer clients to the appropriate services.
  • Instruct individuals in career development techniques, such as job search and application strategies, resume writing, and interview skills.

Essential Skills

Active Listening 4.38/5
Speaking 4.12/5
Social Perceptiveness 4.12/5
Service Orientation 4.0/5
Reading Comprehension 3.88/5
Writing 3.88/5
Critical Thinking 3.88/5
Active Learning 3.75/5
Learning Strategies 3.75/5
Monitoring 3.75/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.75/5
Coordination 3.62/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.
  • Leader: Taking charge and moving ideas forward motivates you.
  • Artist: Creating original work and expressing ideas feels natural.

Common styles

Concern for Others, Cooperation, Social Orientation, Integrity, Dependability

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 4.25/5
Oral Expression 4.25/5
Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Written Expression 4.0/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.75/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.75/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.75/5
Speech Clarity 3.75/5

Technologies & Tools

ACT Discover ACT WorkKeys Adobe ActionScript Adobe Photoshop Athena Software Penelope Case Management Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge Blackboard software Blackboard Wimba Bloomz Career Cruising Career decision-making programs Career Dimensions Focus 2 Career management systems CMS Career Zone Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC WONDER Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epi Info Chat software Coin Educational Products Climb K-5 Online Coin Educational Products Coin Jr. College Central Network Career Services Central

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Concern for Others (High importance: 4.82/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.62/5)
  • Social Orientation (High importance: 4.42/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.41/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.4/5)

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How to Become One

This career requires extensive preparation, typically including a graduate degree (Master's or Doctoral) and several years of experience. Most professionals in this field have invested significant time in education and training.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Academic Advisor Academic Counselor Admissions Counselor Adult School Counselor Advisor Articulation Officer Assessment Specialist Career Advisor Career Coach Career Consultant Career Coordinator Career Counselor Career Developer Career Development Consultant Career Development Counselor Career Development Facilitator Career Development Specialist Career Guidance Counselor Career Services Coordinator Career Technical Counselor Career Transition Specialist Child Guidance Counselor College Counselor Counselor Curriculum Counselor Disability Services Coordinator Education Coordinator Education Counselor Educational Advisor Educational Consultant Educational Guidance Counselor Elementary School Counselor Employment Coach Employment Coordinator Employment Counselor Employment Specialist Employment Trainer Employment Training Specialist Enrollment Counselor Enrollment Specialist Extension Course Counselor Financial Services Specialist Foreign Student Advisor Guidance Advisor Guidance Counselor High School Counselor High School Guidance Counselor International Student Counselor Internship Coordinator Job Coach Life Skills Coach Offender Employment Specialist (OES) Offender Job Retention Specialist Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS) Outplacement Consultant Placement Coordinator Pupil Personnel Worker Residence Counselor Resume Writer Scheduling Specialist School Adjustment Counselor School Counselor School Guidance Counselor Student Advisor Student Counselor Student Development Advisor Student Services Coordinator Student Services Counselor Student Success Counselor Student Support Counselor Study Abroad Advisor Transition Advisor Transition Specialist Vocational Adviser Vocational Counselor Vocational Evaluator Vocational Examiner Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Vocational Rehab Counselor)