Would You Make a Great Guidance Counselor?

Guidance counselors are often the most respected and revered members of a school's administrative team. They interact with students on a more personal level and are responsible for making sure every student's needs are met. While the job description of a guidance counselor has changed over the last couple of decades, they still play an integral role in keeping kids in-line and well-behaved. Further, they are responsible for noticing and identifying key factors that might be affecting a student's ability to work and play with others. Perhaps you would make a great guidance counselor!

Part of a guidance counselor's job is administrative, particularly at the high school level. Their job is not the same as a traditional counselor because they are also responsible for reviewing test scores, managing special education programs, helping students prepare for college and handing out transcripts when requested. A guidance counselor may also be responsible for setting up a peer mentoring group or counseling students with recent tragedies in their lives. This takes not only an interest in education, but also in the well-being of children.

Some guidance counselors prefer not to work in the school setting at all, and instead set up a private practice. While they don't work within school walls, they cater to children with mental, physical and emotional developmental problems, and may be invited to local schools when a tragedy occurs or when they need assistance. The difference in salary is large between a school guidance counselor and one in private practice, but the job description is largely the same. If you don't think you would enjoy administrating standardized tests or handling other administrative tasks, private practice might be a better solution.