Here’s a brief list of what School Counselors do:

• Student Counseling: Providing individual and group counseling sessions to address academic, personal, social, and emotional issues affecting students.

• Career Guidance: Assisting students in exploring career options, setting career goals, and planning educational pathways to achieve their career aspirations.

• Academic Support: Monitoring and supporting student academic progress, offering study skills development, academic planning, and course selection guidance.

• Crisis Intervention: Responding to crises or emergencies affecting students, providing immediate support, and coordinating resources for crisis management.

• Behavioral Management: Implementing behavior intervention strategies, conducting assessments, and collaborating with teachers and parents to address behavioral challenges.

• Advocacy: Advocating for students' needs and rights within the school community, ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities and support services.

• Collaboration and Consultation: Collaborating with teachers, administrators, parents, and external agencies to coordinate support services and promote student well-being.

Here’s how YOU can become one:

1. Educational Background:

• Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: Start by earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, education, social work, or a related field. Coursework should include psychology, human development, counseling theories, and communication skills.

• Relevant Experience: Gain experience working with children or adolescents through volunteer work, internships, or part-time jobs in educational or youth-oriented settings.

2. Earn a Master’s Degree in School Counseling:

• Master’s Program: Pursue a master’s degree specifically in school counseling or a closely related field accredited by a recognized institution. Programs typically include coursework in counseling techniques, child and adolescent development, multicultural counseling, ethics, and legal issues in counseling.

• Internship or Practicum: Complete a supervised internship or practicum as part of your master’s program to gain hands-on experience in a school setting under the guidance of a licensed school counselor.

3. Obtain Licensure or Certification:

• State Certification: Research and meet the specific certification or licensure requirements for school counselors in your state or country. Requirements vary but generally include completing a master’s degree, supervised practice hours, passing a state exam, and fulfilling continuing education requirements.

• Professional Standards: Familiarize yourself with the professional standards and ethical guidelines for school counselors established by national counseling associations (e.g., American School Counselor Association, ASCA).

4. Develop Key Skills:

• Communication Skills: Enhance your ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, teachers, and administrators.

• Empathy and Listening Skills: Develop empathy and active listening skills to understand students’ concerns and provide appropriate support.

• Counseling Techniques: Learn and practice counseling techniques such as individual counseling, group counseling, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution.

• Collaboration: Build collaborative relationships with school staff, parents, and community resources to support student success.

5. Gain Practical Experience:

• Practicum and Internship: Gain experience through supervised practicum and internship experiences in school settings. This hands-on experience allows you to apply counseling theories and techniques under the guidance of experienced school counselors.

• Volunteer or Part-Time Work: Seek opportunities to volunteer or work part-time in schools, community organizations, or counseling centers to gain additional experience working with students and families.

6. Networking and Professional Development:

• Join Professional Organizations: Become a member of school counseling associations and attend conferences, workshops, and webinars to network with other professionals, stay updated on counseling practices, and access resources for professional development.

• Continuing Education: Stay informed about current trends and research in school counseling through continuing education courses, workshops, and online training programs.

  This is a very brief and general plan. To know your specific academic path for this career please talk to an advisor at the college or program you plan on attending!