How to Become a Guidance Counselor

You may be wondering how to become a guidanceOnce you have your degree, you will need to
counselor as you consider your career options in life.become licensed and obtain a teaching certificate to
Perhaps you had a high school guidance counselorbecome a guidance counselor. The guidance counselor
who made a big impact in your life, and you want tolicense will require some continuing education credits,
do the same for others. Whatever your reasons forand the teacher certification requirements will vary by
wanting to become a guidance counselor, it is a goodstate, with most states also requiring a few years of
choice that can be very rewarding both financially andteaching experience before stepping into the role of
personally. You will be able to help studentscounselor. .
determine what their strengths, skills and interestsAs a high school guidance counselor you will have
are so that they can make the appropriate choices induties such as administering aptitude tests,
terms of higher education, job training and careerconducting interviews and meeting with students for
options.counseling sessions. You may even get to work side
The first step of how to become a guidanceby side with students as they apply for college and
counselor is to get a bachelor's degree that includesseek out scholarships and financial aid. The average
courses in important areas such as communications,salary for high school guidance counselors is around
psychology and the social sciences. There are few$42,000 with full benefits, and with more experience
limits on the particular undergraduate courses neededthis will continue to increase over time. It is a good
to become a high school guidance counselor, soidea to visit with a guidance counselor in your area
there's some room for personal preference whenand ask them about how to become a guidance
choosing your major. Most states, though, will alsocounselor. They can give you personal insight and
require that you complete a master's degree in aspecific information about the requirements in your
program such as education, secondary schoolarea. .
counseling or a related subject. It's a good idea toInstitutions offering quality School Counseling
get some career information from a local college toPrograms include University of Phoenix, and Argosy
determine what your educational path will need to beUniversity.
in order to make your career goals happen. .