Career or vocational counselors work with clients to help prepare for a job search by preparing a resume, teaching interview techniques and identifying career opportunities.
They may also use assessment examinations to help identify careers that would best use the skills and talents of the clients. Counselors must have the skills, education and training to be successful.
Getting qualified
In order to have any type of career, you need to be a graduate of a high school. Aside from getting the required credits in your WAEC result, you can go for a BA in Psychology.
This undergraduate degree prepares the student to pursue the advanced education required for counselors.
A degree in Psychology prepares the student to work with clients in a counseling setting, and is a good practice for a master’s programme.
Pursue a master’s degree
Career counselors must have a master’s degree in Counseling, with a concentration in career counseling.
A master’s degree programme focuses on counseling techniques, assessment, career development, research and human growth and development.
Apply for a state licence
The requirements for a licence to work as a career counselor vary by state. But if you have thousands of hours under your belt and have taken the National Certificate in Education (NCE), you are probably good to go.
Secure employment
Search for a position, or start a private practice. Career counselors may work as an independent practitioner or with an organisation to provide services to clients. Look for work in high schools, colleges, social services offices, employment and staffing agencies.
Get a mentor
Everybody needs one. When you are just starting out, your stress level will be seriously reduced if you can depend on someone to show you the ropes and answer all your questions.
Build your client base if you want to go solo
Just like finding friends in a new town, when you start out in a career, you got to find clients. It may involve self-promotion – let your friends, family, neighbours, even acquaintances know that you are a career counselor.
If you want to go private, you will need to whip out your marketing skills. So get to making business cards, taking out ads, and creating hubbub about your new office.
Get your continuing education credits
Each year, you will be required to take continuing education credits. These will be in the form of short classes, seminars and readings that you will have to complete. It will be nothing compared to what you have already had to do.
Working with clients
Assess them thoroughly. Depending on your work environment, your day-to-day duties will obviously differ. But usually, you will be doing an initial consultation and hand out some tests
Be compassionate to all walks of life
You are going to be working with all colours, genders, orientations, denominations, sizes, shapes, and any other descriptor you can think of. They all deserve the best help you can give them and the best job they can get. Everybody is fighting their own battles and they are coming to you for help. They each deserve the same amount of attention.
Be a good listener
First and foremost, you are a counselor. This means that those who are coming to you generally have problems. It could be huge, it could be teeny, but it’s still there. To wrap your brain around what they are facing, you will need to listen to what they are actually saying.
Think objectively
It’s easy to get swayed by emotion with the stories you will hear every day. You can’t do this! If you let your emotions cloud your judgment, your client or their potential employer may be in for a rude awakening. Do what you can within reason for each client, regardless of their situation and how it moves you.
Honesty is the best policy
Occasionally, you will get the individual that wants to be an astronaut when they would be better suited being a paralegal. If someone isn’t suited for a job, recognise it. It’s for the betterment of the society.
There’s a fine line when it comes to ethics
While you want to create the best resume for your client, you don’t want to give any employer false impressions. Try to do work with them, not exclusively for them. If they can’t string a sentence together, don’t write for them. Teach them how to do it so they can do it for themselves.
