Become a Counselor

If you enjoy helping people, becoming a counselor can be a great career choice for you. However, there is a lot to consider before becoming a counselor, and many sub-specialties. This article shows you how to land a career as either a social worker, guidance counselor, career counselor, or drug counselor.

Steps

Learn About Various Counseling Careers

1. Read below and decide what kind of counseling interests you. Different counselors have different schooling and experience requirements. The most common counseling positions include: Social Worker, Guidance Counselor, Career Counselor, and Drug Counselor.
   • There are two main types of social workers:
     • Direct-service social workers are people who work directly with others to help solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. Direct-service social workers usually work for organizations as part of larger outreach programs.
     • Clinical social workers diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issues. These people often work in clinics or hospitals.
   • Guidance or school counselors provide academic, career, college readiness, and personal/social advice to children and adolescents. Guidance counselors usually work at elementary, middle, and high schools, catering to students from kindergarten to Grade 12.
   • Marriage or family counselors help people improve relationships with spouses and among family members. These counselors typically have a masters degree in this specialty, as well as additional training to become licensed.
   • Career or vocational counselors work with clients to help them prepare for careers. Career counselors help clients identify their unique interests, strengths and talents, as well as capitalize on them to find their best career path. Career counselors may work in universities to support faculty development, for large corporations, or open private counseling practices.
   • Drug abuse counselors help patients identify the underlying causes of their addiction. Drug abuse counselors are often responsible for following patients completing comprehensive drug treatment. It is arguably one of the most challenging career choice for mental health counselors, as drug addicts often have a variety of other mental health disorders . Drug counselors commonly work in halfway houses, homeless shelters, hospitals, jails/prisons, and drug/alcohol treatment centers .
     • Some states require, and many organizations prefer, that you be a former addict yourself.
2. Set up an interview with a counselor. Interview a counselor or counselors in the areas you are interested in. The best way to decide if a career is a good fit, is to interview someone who is already in that career. Contact local schools, clinics or rehab centers (wherever your counselor of interest would work) and express your interest in becoming a counselor. Ask if they would put you in contact with their counselor for an informational interview. Not everyone will accept, but you should be able to find someone happy to talk about their career.
3. Prepare for the informative interview. When interviewing someone about their job it is important that you properly prepare. Remember that the person you are interviewing is doing you a favor, so be respectful of their time.
   • Be considerate of the counselor's time, schedule the meeting on their side of town, and at a time that works best for them. Common places to meet are coffee houses, but the counselor may also prefer to meet during the day at their office.
   • Make a token gesture. If you meet at a coffee shop or restaurant, make sure you pick up the tab. If you meet in the office, consider bringing a small token, such as a $10 gift card for coffee or the movies.
   • Prepare questions ahead of time. Again you do not want to waste their time, prepare question ahead of time, so that you use the time efficiently. Common questions you may decide to ask are:
     • What is your education background?
     • How did you decide to become a counselor?
     • Is your education/career path typical?
     • What is your favorite part of the job?
     • What is the most challenging part of the job?
     • What do imagine the future is like for your career?
     • How is the work/life balance?
     • If you had to do it all over again, what would you do?
   • Make sure you bring a pen and paper to write down any important things gleaned from your conversation.
   • Be professional. Do not underestimate the power of informative interviews. It may be nothing more that a one time conversation, but you never know when you might make a lifelong ally and friend in the field. Therefore, dress and treat the informative interview like the real thing. Dress appropriately, keep your jokes clean and your attitude professional.
   • Bring a business card to exchange.
   • Update your LinkedIn account and clean up your Facebook page. Being professional does not end at an interview. Keep your online presence professional as well. It is common for prospective employers to google your name.

Become a Social Worker

1. Identify the schooling you need to obtain. If after interviewing a social worker you still want to become a social worker, it is now time to address your schooling. Social workers need a Bachelors degree in social work. In addition, many direct-service social workers and most clinical social workers need a master's degree in Social Work or closely related field .
   • To find a locale accredited counseling program visit the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs site, www.cacrep.or. Once you identify the master's degree program you would like to attend, figure out what pre-requisites you need to get in, and get them.
   • Depending on your current level of schooling, and the standing of your credits, you may need to go back and complete a bachelor's degree, or go back as a post-baccalaureate and take just the pre-requisites you need to enter your desired master's degree program.
2. Complete your bachelor's degree. Most social workers choose an undergraduate degree in social work. Such a degree usually includes the prerequisites needed for a Master of social work, but it is always important to double check.
   • You may also decide to get an undergraduate degree in something else, like psychology or sociology, but make sure you have the prerequisites you need for your desired master's degree program.
3. Complete your master's degree. Clinical social workers must have a master's degree, usually in social work.
4. Internship. Before you can become a licensed clinical social worker you need to complete 2 years or 3,000 hours of supervised experience.
5. Get certified . All US states require that social workers obtain state certification. To get certified or licensed consult the Association of Social Works Boards at www.aswb.org.

Become a Guidance Counselor

1. Identify the schooling you need to obtain. If, after interviewing a guidance counselor, you still want to become a guidance counselor, it is now time to address your schooling. Typically a school Guidance Counselor needs a master's degree in Education or closely related field.
   • To find a locale accredited counseling program visit the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs site, www.cacrep.or. Once you identify the master's degree program you would like to attend, figure out what pre-requisites you need to get in, and get them.
   • Depending on your current level of schooling, and the standing of your credits, you may need to go back and complete a bachelor's degree, or go back as a post-baccalaureate and take just the pre-requisites you need to enter your desired master's degree program.
2. Complete your bachelor's degree. Most guidance counselors choose an undergraduate degree in psychology. Such a degree usually includes the prerequisites needed for a Master of Counseling, but it is always important to double check.
   • You may also decide to get an undergraduate degree in something else, but make sure you have the prerequisites you need for your desired master's degree program.
3. Complete your master's degree. Counselors must have a master's degree in Counseling. However the concentration, career counseling or school counseling, may differ depending on your chosen field, and what your school offers.
4. Internship. After completing your formal education, many guidance counselors also need to complete a 600-hour internship in an elementary, middle, or high school to be competitive. Often, your master's degree school will provide you with the connections needed to obtain this experience. Other times you may need to be proactive.
5. Get certified. All US states require that school counselors obtain state certification. You can also choose to get nationally certified through NBCC or NBPTS. Contact your state education department to find out what credentials you need to work in your state. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA), http://www.schoolcounselor.org/, has information about each state's school counselor requirements.

Become a Career Counselor

1. Identify the schooling you need to obtain. If, after interviewing a career counselor, you still want to become one, it is now time to address your schooling. Typically a career counselor has a master's degree in education or closely related field.
   • To find a locale accredited counseling program near you visit the the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs site, www.cacrep.or . Once you identify the master's degree program you would like to attend, figure out what pre-requisites you need to get in, and get them.
   • Depending on your current level of schooling, and the standing of your credits, you may need to go back and complete a bachelor's degree first, or go back as a post-baccalaureate and take the prerequisites you need to enter your desired master's degree program.
2. Complete your bachelor's degree. Most who become counselors choose an undergraduate degree in psychology. Such a degree usually includes the prerequisites needed for a Master of Counseling, but it is always important to double check.
   • You may also decide to get an undergraduate degree in something else, but make sure you have the prerequisites need to attend your desired master's degree program.
3. Complete your master's degree. If you want to become a licensed career counselor in some states, you must complete a master's degree . Career counselors usually pursue a master's degree in Counseling, with a concentration in vocational or adult counseling.
4. Get certified. It may or may not be required depending on the job you are after. To check your states licensing requirement go here: http://www.allpsychologyschools.com/psychology-careers/counseling/counseling-states. Depending on where you live, or what job you are after, get certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc., or the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselors.

Become a Drug Abuse Counselor

1. Identify the schooling you need to obtain. If, after interviewing a drug abuse counselor, you still want to become one, it is now time to address your schooling. Typically a Drug Abuse Counselor needs a master's degree in Counseling or closely related field.
   • To find a locale accredited counseling program near you visit the the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs site, www.cacrep.or . Once you identify the master's degree program you would like to attend, figure out what pre-requisites you need to get in, and get them.
   • Depending on your current level of schooling, and the standing of your credits, you may need to go back and complete a bachelor's degree first, or go back as a post-baccalaureate and take the pre-requisites need to enter your desired master's degree program.
2. Complete your bachelor's degree. Most who become counselors choose an undergraduate degree in psychology. Such a degree usually includes the prerequisites needed for a Master of Counseling, but it is always important to double check.
   • After completing your bachelors, because of the demand for drug counselors, you can often start working in a social service setting or as a counselor aide .
   • You may also decide to get an undergraduate degree in something else, but make sure you have the prerequisites needed to attend your desired master's degree program, if you choose.
3. Complete your master's degree. If you want to become a licensed drug abuse counselor in most states, you must complete a master's degree . Counselors usually pursue a master's degree in Counseling, with a concentration in substance abuse.
4. Apply for an internship. After completing formal education, many drug abuse counselors also need to complete a 1-2 year internship in a hospital or mental health clinic to be competitive. Often your master's degree school will provide you with the connections needed to obtain this experience. Other times you may need to be proactive.
5. Get certified. It may or may not be required depending on the job you are after. To check your states licensing requirement check here. http://www.allpsychologyschools.com/psychology-careers/counseling/counseling-states. Depending on where you live, or what job you are after, get certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc., or the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselors.

Tips

• To find a job in counseling, networking is key. Throughout your schooling you should actively curate professional connections. You can network by: Attending your alma mater's career center fairs, and maintaining professional school and college counseling organization memberships. Considering joining the Association of Social Work Boards, www.aswb.org and the National Board for Certified Counselors, www.nbcc.org. When on the job market send your resume out to your network, asking that they forward it to anyone who might be interested.

Sources and Citations

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