Skip Navigation Links Latest Numbers U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook www.bls.gov OOH Search/A-Z Index BLS Home Get Detailed Statistics ... Find It! In DOL Printer-friendly version ( HTML PDF Counselors Nature of the Work Working Conditions Employment Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement ... Sources of Additional Information Significant Points
- A masterÂs degree is often required to be licensed or certified as a counselor.
- All but three States require some form of licensure or certification for practice outside of schools; all States require school counselors to hold a State school counseling certification.
Nature of the Work About this section Back to Top Counselors assist people with personal, family, educational, mental health, and career decisions and problems. Their duties depend on the individuals they serve and on the settings in which they work. Educational, vocational, and school counselors Elementary school counselors observe younger children during classroom and play activities and confer with their teachers and parents to evaluate the childrenÂs strengths, problems, or special needs. They also help students develop good study habits. Elementary school counselors do less vocational and academic counseling than do secondary school counselors. School counselors at all levels help students understand and deal with social, behavioral, and personal problems. These counselors emphasize preventive and developmental counseling to provide students with the life skills needed to deal with problems before they occur and to enhance the studentÂs personal, social, and academic growth. Counselors provide special services, including alcohol and drug prevention programs and conflict resolution classes. Counselors also try to identify cases of domestic abuse and other family problems that can affect a studentÂs development. Counselors work with students individually, with small groups, or with entire classes. They consult and collaborate with parents, teachers, school administrators, school psychologists, medical professionals, and social workers in order to develop and implement strategies to help students be successful in the education system. | |
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