Educational, Vocational and School Counselors

Good Listeners Make Good Counselors

Educational, guidance, vocational and school counselors are an important part of today's education system. They provide a wide range of services to students, ranging from course scheduling, to career and personal/social development, to helping students maximize their academic achievement. Counselors assist students in evaluating their abilities, interests, talents, and personality characteristics to help them develop academic and career goals. They also advise students on college majors, admission requirements, entrance exams, financial aid, technical schools, apprenticeship programs, and operate career information centers and career education programs.

The field is often interesting, challenging, and rewarding, and is a great opportunity to make a difference in people's lives. The majority of educational, vocational and school counselors work in public school systems, which locally in the Gulf Coast region continue to face shortages of qualified individuals. (Champions of career and college readiness initiatives)

Rewards of a Counseling Career

• Guide young people in their postsecondary educational choices
• Job security
• Steady above-average pay and solid benefits
• Oversee college and career-readiness initiatives

The number of counselors needed expected to increase by 21 percent by 2026!

Educational, Vocational and School Counselors  earn salaries comparable to teachers and in some cases more!

Over half of Educational, Vocational and School Counselors work at elementary and secondary schools, but that's not the only place they work.

What is important in becoming a counselor?*

These skills, interests, and knowledge areas are recommended for a career as an educator. The percentage indicate the level of important of each of the skills.

Psychology

Human behavior and performance ability, including perceiving differences in ability, personality, and interests that guide motivation & learning

Therapy & Counseling

Knowing the principles, methods, and procedures for aiding emotional dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance

Education & Training

Principles and methods for curriculum and training design with interest in passing knowledge to others and measuring the training effects

Sociology & Anthropology

Knowing group behavior dynamics, social trends, major influences, among people.

*Source: Texas Career Check

Where to Start: The Path from Student to Counselor

High School Endorsement: Public Service

The majority of counselors are in the public school education system working with grades Kindergarten through 12. All states require that school counselors hold a state school counseling certificate. Requirements for the issuance of the standard school counselor certificate in Texas are:

• Successful completion of a school counselor preparation program
• Master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• Three school years of classroom teaching experience in a public or accredited private school
• Minimum score of 240 on School Counselor Exam
• Completed and cleared national fingerprint-based background check

Although not required in Texas, the National Board for Certified Counselors also offers a nationally recognized professional counselor license. This, another exam-based certification, can be acquired to boost skill recognition and may be required by some employers.

Additional information:

• State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)
• Texas Counseling Association
• American School Counselors Association - http://www.schoolcounselor.org
• Texas Education Agency (TEA) (This site provides additional information on numerous topics of interest to current and future counselors.)

Gulf Coast Region Educator Preparation Programs

The State Board of Educator Certification has approved the following list of university-based educator preparation programs. A list of additional post-baccalaureate programs and alternative/accelerated programs are available at the State Board of Educator Certification.

If you have questions about our Industry/Occupation Profiles or are an organization in the Gulf Coast Region, please contact webmaster@wrksolutions.com.

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