There are many traits that might lead a person to choose counseling as a career, but the most basic is a strong desire to help others. Before you would choose this profession, however, it would be wise to also be sure that you are emotionally strong enough to maintain your own mental health in the face of being surrounded by the problems of others. The final question would be, can I foster a sense of respect, trust, and confidence from others in a professional relationship?
If the first paragraph sounds like you, and you have decided to pursue a career as a counselor, you will need at least five to six years of post-secondary education to earn a Master's degree. There are a multitude of colleges and universities that offer Master's degree programs in counseling, and you will find them in the Department of Education, Psychology, or Human Services. There are many specialties, but the field is often divided according to the setting in which one chooses to work.
Counselors work in community agencies, elementary and secondary schools, and colleges and universities, and the environment in which you would feel most comfortable could help you determine how to specialize. School counselors might handle personal issues with students or provide vocational/career or college choice assistance, while an agency counselor might provide substance abuse assistance or marriage or family therapy. Whatever the setting, it is necessary to maintain the highest ethical standards at all times in order to become and remain successful.
While your Master's degree will help you compete for a job, it will be necessary to become licensed and meet other certification requirements to maintain that job and advance through the field. If you desire to become involved in private practice, then the standards are much more rigid, and the entire private enterprise is controlled by the state in which you practice. For most counselors, continuing education or professional development is also required.
The good news is that job positions in all environments are expected to grow at a rate that is above average with opportunities exceeding the number of college graduates. The rest of the news is that there is a wide range of starting salaries with the highest paid jobs going to the most successful and most broadly trained graduates. The median annual starting salary for counselors employed by the government or in schools is in the mid $50,000s, while counselors in residential and community facilities are paid about $28,000 annually.
Counselors are in demand especially in community health centers and social service agencies. Also adding to the increased call for counselors is the growing need for services in rehab centers for substance abuse. In fact, if you are just starting out and have an Associate's degree, you could probably gain employment in a substance abuse clinic and acquire valuable experience while you continue your education.
If you have earned your Bachelor's degree, there is the possibility of employment in the field of mental health, but you will need to work with stringent supervision. This invaluable experience, however, will not only help you in your continued pursuit of a Master's degree but will also lend value to your resume going forward. Whichever type of career best suits your talents, working while going to graduate school will help you choose what is right for you.
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