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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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.
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
78
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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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)]
Social Workers: Students who are interested in social justice and want to make a difference in their community may be encouraged to pursue a career in social work. Career Coaches: School counselors may recommend this career path to students who are interested in helping others navigate their ...
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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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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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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
February 2, 2026 - This post explores a variety of career options—in and out of educational settings—for which you’ll become eligible once you’ve earned a master’s degree in school counseling. “The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) supports school counselors' efforts to help students focus on academic, career and social/emotional development so they achieve success in school and are prepared to lead fulfilling lives as responsible members of society.”2 This statement on the ASCA’s website gets to the heart of school counselors’ work.
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TheBestSchools.org
thebestschools.org › careers › career-guide › school-counselor-overview
School Counselors Careers
September 26, 2024 - School counselors help learners strengthen their academic and social skills. They work closely with students, teachers, and families to address student challenges. This in-demand, fulfilling career path also reports above-average salaries.
Find elsewhere
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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.

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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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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 - Recent data shows that 62% of school counselors report better work-life balance when employed in elementary settings compared to high schools, where crisis intervention can extend workdays unpredictably.
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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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Resume Worded
resumeworded.com › career-profiles › school-counselor-career-profile
School Counselor - Alternative Careers and Similar Jobs (Updated for 2026)
The most in-demand skills you need to become a Director Of Counseling are: ... Job titles that are especially common for a School Counselor to move into include Teacher, Psychologist, Director Of Counseling, Behavior Specialist, Dean Of Students and Educational Consultant.
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NC Careers
nccareers.org › occupation-profile › 211012 › 1284
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Use aptitude and achievement assessments to help students or clients evaluate their interests, skills, and abilities ... Select a region/location in North Carolina to begin your search. View available jobs ... Most require a graduate degree like a master's, Ph.D., M.D., or law degree. ... Find out where to start your new journey. Get started · Find out what's next in line on your career journey. Get started ... School counselors help students develop academic and social skills and plans for after graduation.
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Research.com
research.com › home › advice › 2027 school counseling degree careers ranked by stress level, salary, and job stability
2027 School Counseling Degree Careers Ranked by Stress Level, Salary, and Job Stability | Research.com
July 21, 2026 - This article examines career opportunities in school counseling, ranking them by stress level, salary, and job stability to help readers make informed, sustainable career decisions. Stress levels vary widely; K-12 school counselors often face higher emotional demands, while private sector roles may offer lower stress but less direct student impact.
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AllPsychologySchools.com
allpsychologyschools.com › home › school counseling › duties
What Does a School Counselor Do? (Job Description)
2 weeks ago - School counselors play a vital role in supporting students’ academic, career, and personal development. They provide individualized guidance to help students create academic plans, navigate career choices, and address personal challenges.
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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
For career or academic advisors, employers may prefer candidates who have a bachelor’s degree and work experience. Master’s degree programs in counseling usually require students to have a period of supervised experience, such as an internship. Public school counselors must have a state-issued ...
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College Consensus
collegeconsensus.com › careers › alternative-careers-for-school-counselors
Alternative Careers for School Counselors
April 15, 2025 - Although being a school counselor is a rewarding profession, you may want to expand your career path. School counselors have a huge responsibility and face many challenges. With so many changes occurring in the educational system, counselors face issues with students who are struggling with learning via technology, gender issues, concerns surrounding immigration, and more.
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O*NET
onetonline.org › link › summary › 21-1012.00
21-1012.00 - Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Provide students with information on topics such as college degree programs and admission requirements, financial aid opportunities, trade and technical schools, and apprenticeship programs. ... Conduct follow-up interviews with counselees to determine if their needs have been met. ... Instruct individuals in career development techniques, such as job search and application strategies, resume writing, and interview skills.
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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.