Schools are complex systems, an interlocking web of facilities, technological assets, curricula and personnel. Central to this integrated structure are school counselors, professionals with specialized training in fostering not just academic achievement, but also social, psychological and overall developmental growth and maturation. School counselors require a nuanced understanding of the various challenges faced by students, along with the emotional and intellectual skills necessary to address these concerns. This guide details the steps to becoming a professional school counselor, including an overview of academic programs and the skills needed to be successful in this career.
What Does a Counselor Do?
[dig-deeper subtitle="Counseling Career Basics" description="Student successrequires more than just a well-equipped classroom and a talented and committedteacher. Another important element in the educational process is the role playedby school counselors. School counselors are employed throughout the educationalsystem, from kindergarten up through twelfth grade, in public, private andparochial schools. They fulfill a number of responsibilities, from theday-to-day assessment of individual students, to the design and implementationof broad, longer-term programs designed to cultivate a safe and healthy learningenvironment. School counselors help students develop study and time managementskills, plan academic goals, and manage social and behavioral problems. Thespecific focus of a counselor's work varies depending on factors such as thetype of school, its organizational structure, and the age of the students."panel_subtitle="Counseling In-Depth" ]
A good way to look at the role of counselors is as one of three primarily pillars that support and enhance students' educational experience. Administrators oversee the operational issues of running a school, and teachers are concerned with academic matters. Counselors fill a third niche by focusing on students' social, psychological and behavioral development and needs. Much of their work takes place in one-on-one sessions and/or small group meetings with students, during which they use their skills to assess and address specific issues, set achievement goals, and intervene proactively to stave off more serious problems. Indirectly, counselors also assist students by consulting and collaborating with parents, teachers, administrators and other educational professionals to address issues related to individual students, as well as groups of students.
Counselors generally work full-time hours during the academic year, with time off during holidays and summer. During summer break, they may consult or counsel on the side, or use that time to keep up with continuing education in the field.
[/dig-deeper]The American School Counselor Association recommends a 250-to-1 ratio of students to counselors. The most recent national data, from the 2012-2013 school year, indicates the current ratio is nearly twice that, at 482-to-1.
Counselor Salaries
Some view counseling as a calling, a career that's particularly suited to those who have a deep affinity for working with kids. Others may see it as a route to career stability: as long as there are children, they will need counselors. But what's the bottom line? How much can you expect to earn as a school counselor? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for educational, guidance, school and vocational counselors as of May 2014, was $53,370, with those in the 90th percentile earning as much as $86,610. Broken down by state, the top five median annual salaries in the field stack up this way:
| State | Wage |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $71,201 |
| Alaska | $70,900 |
| New York | $64,820 |
| District of Columbia | $62,850 |
| Rhode Island | $62,790 |
