Career counsellors, or vocational counsellors, 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 will best use the skills and talents of the client. Counsellors must have the skills, education and training to be successful in the field.
Getting qualified
In order to have any type of career you need to be a graduate high school. Aside 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 counsellors.
A degree in psychology prepares the student to work with clients in a counselling setting and is good practice for the master’s program.
Pursue a master’s degree
Career counsellors must have a master’s degree in counselling with a concentration in career counselling to work in the field.
A master’s degree program focuses on counselling techniques, assessment, career development, research and human growth and development.
Apply for a state license
The requirements for a license to work as a career counsellor vary by state. But if you have thousands of hours under your belt and have taken the NCE, you’re probably good to go.
Secure employment
Search for a position or start a private practice. Professional career counsellors may work as an independent practitioner or with an organization to provide career counselling 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’re 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. Some of this is going to involve self-promotion, let your friends, family, and neighbours even-acquaintances that you’re a career counsellor.
If you want to go private, you’ll 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’ll be required to take continuing education credits. These will be in the form of short classes, seminars, and readings that you’ll have to complete. It’ll be nothing compared to what you’ve 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’ll be doing an initial consultation and hand out some tests
Be compassionate to all walks of life
You’re 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’re coming to you for help. They each deserve the same amount of attention.
Be a good listener
First and foremost, you’re a counsellor. This means those who are coming to you generally have a problem. It could be huge, it could be teeny, but it’s still there. To wrap your brain around what they’re facing, you’ll need to listen to what they’re actually saying.
Think objectively
It’s easy to get swayed by emotion with the stories you’ll 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’ll get the individual that wants to be an astronaut when they’d be better suited being a paralegal. If someone isn’t suited for a job, recognize it. It’s for the betterment of society, really.
There’s a fine line when it comes to ethics here
While you want to create the best resume for your client, you don’t want to give any employers 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.
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