person that works in primary schools and/or secondary schools to provide academic, career, college access/affordability/admission, and social-emotional competencies to all students through a school counseling program
A school counselor is a certified/licensed professional that provides academic, career, college readiness, and social-emotional support for all students. There are school counselor positions within each level of schooling (elementary, middle, high, … Wikipedia
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
bls.gov › ooh › community-and-social-service › school-and-career-counselors.htm
School and Career Counselors and Advisors : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
High school counselors advise students in making academic and career plans. Many help students overcome personal issues that interfere with their academic development. They help students choose classes and plan for their lives after graduation. Counselors provide information about choosing and applying for colleges, training programs, financial aid, and internships and apprenticeships.
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Free Republic
freerepublic.com › focus › f-chat › 4287119 › posts
What careers do school counselors recommend the most to students? [Brave search response (as with Google and Bing, one their AI actually answers the question; DDG was worse)]
Guidance Counselors: Students who are interested in working in education and helping students navigate their academic and personal lives may be encouraged to pursue a career as a guidance counselor. College Advisors: School counselors may recommend this career path to students who are interested ...
Discussions

Alternative Careers for School Counselors
I recently left the school counseling profession and now work as a mental health consultant for my state's department of education. I get to work from home except 2-3 days a month when I'm presenting at conferences/leading workshops in person. I provide support to schools on topics like school mental health systems, bullying prevention, and trauma sensitive work. It's been a wonderful change! More on reddit.com
🌐 r/schoolcounseling
79
33
November 15, 2022
Is it incredibly difficult to get a job in school counseling?
It depends. Virginia just passed a huge school counselor budget so there are jobs every where in my district. I do have experience as a kindergarten teacher so I know I will have a upper hand when it comes to getting a job. But you still have about 3 years of graduate school ahead of you. Start looking into getting a job in a school system. Start as a sub. Work your way up and around. By the time you graduate with your masters you’ll have 3 years of experience working with school children. That’s what I’m doing :) I have recommendations from principals, teaching assistants, etc. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/schoolcounseling
16
9
May 30, 2019
How hard is it to find a job with a School Counselor MS in California?

O*net has a wonderful tool that shows you up to date stats on how much people with these degrees make in California (based on zip code). I’m currently attending a CSU in a counseling program and it’s taking my class mates awhile to find jobs/internships. Luckily for me I had 2+ years of full time experience in the field and found a full time job at the csu I’m attending for school

More on reddit.com
🌐 r/studentaffairs
3
5
May 20, 2024
Are jobs hard to acquire?

In MA, maybe. Districts that pay higher will always be more competitive.

That being said, in the district I work for, 5 years ago there’d maybe be 3-5 openings for school counselors a year (by the way, my district has over 100 schools). We just started this school year with 20 positions still not filled. The educator shortage is leaving no stone unturned.

So, you may not get a job in your desired district immediately, but you will get a job SOMEWHERE after graduation.

More on reddit.com
🌐 r/schoolcounseling
9
3
September 17, 2023
People also ask

Is school counseling a good career choice?
School counselors are in demand and can be a good career choice if you're interested in working with children and helping them succeed. School counseling offers opportunities to make meaningful and positive changes in students' academic and social experiences.
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psychology.org
psychology.org › counseling › school-counseling
What Is School Counseling? Roles, Careers & Program Info
How do I become a school counselor?
Most states require public school counselors to be licensed. State licensing boards typically require a master's degree in school counseling from a CACREP-accredited program, supervised training hours, a passing score on a national or state exam, and a criminal background check.
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psychology.org
psychology.org › counseling › school-counseling
What Is School Counseling? Roles, Careers & Program Info
What is school counseling?
School counselors help students achieve academic and social success. They advise and counsel students and collaborate with school staff, teachers, and administrators. They also work with families on how to help students thrive in school.
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psychology.org
psychology.org › counseling › school-counseling
What Is School Counseling? Roles, Careers & Program Info
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Merrimack College |
merrimack.edu › content
What Types of School Counseling Careers Can I Pursue? | Merrimack College
September 29, 2023 - School counselors are commonly called upon to provide various kinds of support, including: Help students develop problem-solving, conflict-resolution and self-advocacy skills ... Make referrals to professionals in special education, mental health, family counseling and other adjacent fields · Promote time management, self-discipline and self-advocacy ... School counseling careers at all levels involve the same essential skills, including sensitive listening, cultural competence, interdisciplinary collaboration and a strong grasp of pedagogy.
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William & Mary
counseling.education.wm.edu › blog › masters-in-counseling-jobs-exploring-career-paths-for-school-counselors
Master’s in Counseling Jobs: Exploring Career Paths for School Counselors
April 11, 2024 - Serving as a guide in identifying student interests, career clusters and postsecondary plans · Assisting in transitioning to postsecondary education or employment · Advising on diverse postsecondary pathways, including apprenticeships, military programs and college options · Collaborating with administrators, teachers and other stakeholders to create a college-going culture · School counselors address students’ social and emotional needs through counseling services, crisis intervention, mental health support and referrals when needed.
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Psychology.org
psychology.org › counseling › school-counseling
What Is School Counseling? Roles, Careers & Program Info
July 25, 2025 - High school counselors advise students on formulating career goals, choosing a college or training program, and accessing funding to pay for higher education. They also offer information on securing internships or apprenticeships and how to search and apply for jobs.
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TheBestSchools.org
thebestschools.org › careers › career-guide › school-counselor-overview
School Counselors Careers
September 26, 2024 - Many school professionals provide career, health, and life guidance all at once. These counselors work with students, families, teachers, and staff to ensure each child receives the individualized support and education they need to succeed. School counselors help students manage and overcome issues by developing academic improvement plans and assisting with social or behavioral problems.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/schoolcounseling › alternative careers for school counselors
r/schoolcounseling on Reddit: Alternative Careers for School Counselors
November 15, 2022 -

I feel like a need a school counselor to help me!

I'm trying to determine what else I can do with my Master's in Guidance and Counseling aside from school counselor (because where I am in Florida the pay is a huge drop from my current salary).

Background: I was a school counselor for 8 years (mostly middle school in Oklahoma and Florida) — left 9 years ago for a digital marketing position that allowed me to work from home (I had little kids at the time and the marketing job was a bit of a passion type thing). I'm pretty burnt out with this job that feels like it adds no value to people or my community.

I have a BS in Exercise Science, MS in Guidance and just trying to figure out what I could possibly do that pays better than the current school system in Florida and provides satisfaction that I'm adding value to society.

It doesn't seem like our degree lends itself well to things that require certification, but I think it gives us tons of soft skills that are valuable but hard to figure out how to position myself for positions other than school counseling.

Find elsewhere
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Mega Career Guides
megacareerguides.com › home › career options for school counselors in california
Career Options for School Counselors in California - Mega Career Guides
June 5, 2023 - Individual and Group Counseling: Counselors provide one-on-one and group counseling sessions to help students navigate personal and social issues, manage stress, build problem-solving skills, and enhance their overall well-being. Academic and Career Planning: Public school counselors support students in establishing academic and career objectives, improving study skills, and making informed decisions about course selection, higher education, and career paths.
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AllPsychologySchools.com
allpsychologyschools.com › home › school counseling
School Counseling Career Guide | All Psychology Schools
January 20, 2026 - They refer students to a school psychologist for further treatment if necessary. In addition, they evaluate students’ abilities, interests and personalities to help them develop academic and career goals.
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American School Counselor Association
schoolcounselor.org › Standards-Positions › Position-Statements › ASCA-Position-Statements › The-School-Counselor-and-Career-Development
The School Counselor and Career Development - American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
By including culturally responsive practices within career development strategies, school counselors help historically marginalized populations create pathways for their future (Chan, 2019). Collaborating with students, families, educational staff and the community, school counselors work to ensure each and every student selects select a postsecondary path to productive citizenry (e.g., military, career technical certificate or two-/four-year degree program) appropriate for the student.
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Research.com
research.com › home › advice › 2027 which school counseling degree careers offer the best work-life balance?
2027 Which School Counseling Degree Careers Offer the Best Work-Life Balance? | Research.com
July 21, 2026 - Specialized career counselors in educational settings have above-average employee retention, competitive salaries near $62,000, and 9% projected growth, making them a balanced choice combining career advancement and well-being. Working in the school counseling field involves significant pressures, as professionals grapple with complex decisions about students' academic futures, emotional health, and overall welfare.
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Gwynedd Mercy University
gmercyu.edu › academics › learn › school-counselor-career-info
School Counselor Careers: Education Requirements, Role, Salary Info
The school counseling careers listed below may be found at elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and colleges. A school counselor assists students in several areas including academics, career, and emotional support. This includes building student academic schedules and individual/group counseling to determine future and personal goals.
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O*NET
onetonline.org › link › summary › 21-1012.00
21-1012.00 - Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services. Sample of reported job titles: Academic Advisor, Academic Counselor, Admissions Counselor, Career Counselor, College Counselor, Elementary School Counselor, Guidance Counselor, School Counselor, Student Services Coordinator, Vocational Counselor
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Teacher Career Coach
teachercareercoach.com › home › blog › what can a school counselor do? alternative career options
What Can A School Counselor Do? Alternative Career Options
June 28, 2024 - Therefore, school counselors and social workers can apply for the same types of roles we recommend for classroom teachers. As a school counselor, however, you have an additional set of skills to bring to a new position as well.
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Bradley University
onlinedegrees.bradley.edu › blog › guidance-counselor-jobs-and-salary-potential
Guidance Counselor Jobs and Salary Potential
Regardless of which grade level they’re working with, school counselors take a data-driven approach to student success. Data include metrics in academic, career, and social-emotional development. Armed with this information, a counselor typically supports students in establishing and achieving academic and career goals.
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Truity
truity.com › career-profile › school-and-career-counselors-and-advisors
School and Career Counselors and Advisors Career Profile | Job Description, Salary, and Growth | Truity
School counselors help students develop academic and social skills and plans for after graduation. Career counselors and advisors help students and other clients develop skills, explore an occupation, or choose an educational program that will lead to a career.
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Resume Worded
resumeworded.com › career-profiles › school-counselor-career-profile
School Counselor - Alternative Careers and Similar Jobs (Updated for 2026)
It's common for a School Counselor to become a Behavior Specialist, Educational Consultant, Dean Of Students, Director Of Counseling, Teacher or Psychologist. It's common for a School Counselor to be referred to as a High School Counselor, Elementary School Counselor, Guidance Counselor or ...
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College Consensus
collegeconsensus.com › careers › alternative-careers-for-school-counselors
Alternative Careers for School Counselors
April 15, 2025 - They may also experience negativity within the school setting from teachers and administrators who may not agree with how they counsel students. It is no secret that the average school counselor ratio is double the recommended 250-to-1 by the American School Counselor Association.
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Teacher Certification Degrees
teachercertificationdegrees.com › home › teaching career center › school counselor career guide
How to Become a School Counselor: Career and Salary Information
April 1, 2026 - In middle schools and high schools, the school counselor introduces students to possible colleges and universities, career opportunities, and scholarships and grants that may be available to them. They also might counsel students on choosing classes that will support their long-term goals.