Vocational counselors help clients prepare for a job search by preparing a resume, teaching interview techniques and identifying career opportunities.They can use assessment exams to identify careers that use the skills and talents of the client.Counselors need the skills, education and training to be successful.
Step 1: A graduate high school.
If you want to have a career other than reality TV and inventing the next computer, you have to graduate high school.None of the big guys will look at you if you haven't.We'll talk when you get your degree.
Step 2: Go for a degree in psychology.
The undergraduate degree prepares the student for the advanced education required for counselors.If for some reason this isn't your cup o' tea, social work, sociology, or similar people-study coursework will suffice.A degree in psychology prepares the student to work in a counseling setting and is good practice for the master's program.There are courses in psychology, behavioral and social sciences.There is an internship for credit in the undergraduate degree program in psychology.The internship gives aspiring career counselors the chance to work with professionals in the field.
Step 3: Get good grades
Yes, there will be some classes where you wake up, throw on pants, walk into class, find out you have a test, and then go to class.And do well.Some people make you wish you majored in gym.Do yourself a favor and not risk it.Go and study up.Your future is dependent on that.If you get good grades now, you will get stellar recommendation letters and graduate schools.You'll be stuck with a psychology degree if you get bad grades.You have the choice!
Step 4: graduate with an eye on graduate programs
Good news when you're nursing a bad case of senioritis.You're going to be a freshman again.You need a master's to be a tried-and-true counselor.Look into the next few years of your future when you're almost done with that BA.There are schools that offer master's programs in career counseling.If you're 100% committed to your future, you should commit to a program that's called career in the title.Think about location, size, cost, and what the program looks like.Is there an internship that they offer?What is their stance on research?Upon completion, do they help with job placement?
Step 5: Get a master's degree.
A master's degree in counseling is required for career counselors to work in the field.It's another story if you want to be a career coach.Career coaches are people that have given good advice to their sister and decided to whip up a bunch of business cards.Counseling techniques, assessment, career development, research and human growth and development are some of the topics covered in a master's degree program.Students learn to evaluate the skills of a client, administer assessment tests, and teach clients to pursue career opportunities.These experiences are required by any legitimate business or school.If you want to work in a school setting, a master's program in education may include clinical study under the supervision of a licensed counselor.
Step 6: Get supervised clinical experience.
Some places don't require an official license, while others do.Regardless of location, you need a license for your own practice.If you don't need it, you'll need between 2,000 and 3000 supervised clinical hours.It depends on where you are.This is the first job that you'll get out of your master's program.You will be working as a counselor in training.You'll be doing the same work and being watched.It is for the client's benefit, but also for you.There is a list of state requirements on the National Board for Certified Counselors website.
Step 7: Take the test for a national counselor.
The test is used for licensure.You can be a "National Certified Counselor" if you do well enough.It takes 4 hours to answer 200 questions.The candidate's knowledge of counseling techniques, assessments and evaluations as well as the legal and ethical requirements to work as a career counselor are tested in the examination.The qualification is usually reserved for those who have been doing it for a while.If you want to get a state license first, you have to take the NCE.
Step 8: You need to apply for a state license.
There are different requirements for a license to work as a career counselor.You're probably good to go if you've taken the NCE and have thousands of hours under your belt.Candidates need to submit transcripts, score from an examination, application fee, and proof of clinical work experience.Clinical experience gives the candidate the chance to observe a professional career counselor in the field as well as on the job experience providing services to clients.
Step 9: If you want to start a private practice, search for a position.
Career counseling services may be provided by a professional career counselor.It's much easier to find a job with an established company if you're just starting out.There are jobs in high schools, colleges, social services offices, employment and staffing agencies.The National Career Development Association is a good place to join.Membership in a professional organization can help find clients for a private practice career counselor.Career development activities can be pursued through participation in an association or organization.
Step 10: A mentor is needed.
Everyone needs one.If you can depend on someone to show you the ropes and answer all your questions, your stress level will be greatly reduced.They'll let you know if you hit the nail on the head or not.You're most likely familiar with someone from your school, supervised experience, or first job.Think about the people that have helped you out in the field and who you had a real connection with.It will be that person.
Step 11: If you're thinking of flying solo, build your client base.
When you start out in a career, you have to find clients.Let your friends, family, neighbors, barely-even-acquaintances, and even the guy flipping your burger that you're a career counselor be part of this.And yeah!You can give them a discount since you're so close.If you want to go private, you'll need to know how to market yourself.You can make business cards, take out ads, and create hubbub about your new office.
Step 12: You can find a niche.
There are specific types of people that you prefer working with, just like with any counselor.Do you like working with teenagers?Troubled?Is this a gifted person?What about college students?Are they experiencing a life transition?Is it a big-time CEO?What are you good at?If you work for a company that gives you one type of client, this isn't a big deal.It's something to keep in mind if you want to start your own practice.It's something to keep in mind if you don't like your job.Maybe it isn't the type of client you're best at.
Step 13: You should get continuing education credits.
You have to take continuing education credits each year.You will have to complete these in the form of short classes, seminars, and readings.It won't be anything compared to what you've already had to do.The requirements for NCCs are different.They have to pay a yearly certification fee as well as 100 hours of continuing education in order to take the test.
Step 14: Thoroughly assess them.
Your day-to-day duties will vary depending on your work environment.The Holland Code, the MBTI test, and the Birkman Personality Assessment are some of the tests you will usually give out during an initial consultation.Don't just look at them on paper.Get to know them in real life.This is important if you're working with kids.What is their home life like?What is their financial situation?Kids do not have control over their circumstances.There are obstacles that can't be assessed on a test.
Step 15: To all walks of life, be compassionate.
All colors, genders, orientations, denominations, sizes, shapes, and any other descriptor you can think of will be used.You can help them by giving them the best job they can get.Everyone is fighting their own battles and they are coming to you for help.They deserve the same amount of attention.There is no room for bigotry in this work environment.The immigrant working to complete his GED is just as valid to society as the successful protestant white male.Everyone deserves your care.
Step 16: You should be a good listener.
You're a counselor.People who are coming to you have a problem.It could be big or small, but it's still there.Listening to what they're actually saying will help you wrap your brain around what's happening."I want a new job because I can't stand the pressures and physical demands of my current one" is a lie.Some of these people are coming to give you hope.They need something that they can't do for themselves.By the time they leave, they'll be shaking your hand with the biggest grin you've ever seen.
Step 17: Know what the job market is like.
Giving bad advice is something you don't want to do.It's not a good idea to tell someone to aim for this career path when it is about to die.It's not a good idea to tell someone to aim for a career path that requires 18 hour workdays when they have 3 young children to rear.If you don't know yourself, you can ask someone you know what jobs are.Also, know the area.Is specific companies hiring?Is it in a freeze?Is a new business coming to town that will need hundreds of employees in the next few years?Would you client be better off somewhere else?All things to think about!
Step 18: Think in a neutral way.
It's easy to get swayed by emotion when you hear the stories.You can't do this!If you let your emotions cloud your judgement, you may be in for a rude awakening.You may want to give a single mother a six-figure income working from home, but it may not be the right thing to do.Do what you can for each client, no matter what their situation is.Honesty is the best policy.When they'd be better suited as a paralegal, you'll sometimes get an individual that wants to be an astronauts.You don't want to give NASA someone who's not qualified a chance to get their hopes up.Look for someone who isn't suited for a job.It's for the benefit of society.
Step 19: You can offer all sorts of services.
You are not the only one who has a shoulder to lean on.Networking, resume and cover letter services, job boards, and everything in between is what you are doing.You should be able to help if it's related to the topic.Do you have a friend that you can call to talk to your client?Excellent.There is a fine line when it comes to ethics.You don't want to give employers false impressions when you create a resume for a client.Work with them, not only for them.Don't write for them if they're not able to string a sentence together.teach them how to do it for themselves