What is a Career Counselor?
A career counselor is an individual trained to aid people with their career choice. Whether the person is new to the working world, or simply desires a change of profession, the career counselor will be able to guide them in the best possible direction. Beginning with interviews to determine their client’s skills, underlying drive, and personality traits, the career counselor gains an understanding to better serve them in their search for the right career.
What does a Career Counselor do?
A thorough history of client employment, education, skills, personality, and interests is necessary to ensure the best possible result, all of which is gained through the thorough interviewing process of the clients. The information is then applied in job searches using all available technology and resources.
Career counselors are responsible for having knowledge of the skills needed in various fields, the average salary of each field, and the requirements of each field. After they have assessed a client they will then match them up with a field suitable for their skills and personality, creating the most profitable match possible in terms of job satisfaction and monetary earnings.
Career counselors will not, however, simply match up a client with a profession and send them on their way. They work with their clients, helping them to research the right job, as well as helping to locate resources for strengthening the skills needed for the job desired.
A good career counselor will often work late hours to get their job done, investing time in each client to ensure a thorough and satisfactory result. Many successful career counselors go on to further their own learning and join the fields of social work, coaching, and vocational counseling in schools. Some counselors even move on to outplacement positions and professional recruitment for corporate offices.