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Job outlook for corrections counselors in the United States
Are corrections counselor jobs in demand?
Corrections counselor job and salary trends over time
Corrections counselor jobs over time
Corrections counselor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,537 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,516 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,538 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,481 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,408 | 0.00% |
Average corrections counselor salary over time
Corrections counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $48,875 | $23.50 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $47,967 | $23.06 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $47,353 | $22.77 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $46,596 | $22.40 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | $45,882 | $22.06 | +1.7% |
Corrections counselor jobs by state
Most common states for corrections counselors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 173 | 25% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,429 | 21% |
| 3 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 210 | 16% |
| 4 | Alaska | 739,795 | 117 | 16% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 883 | 15% |
| 6 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 976 | 13% |
| 7 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 447 | 12% |
| 8 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 123 | 12% |
| 9 | Delaware | 961,939 | 117 | 12% |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,389 | 11% |
| 11 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 628 | 11% |
| 12 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 620 | 11% |
| 13 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 148 | 11% |
| 14 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 115 | 11% |
| 15 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 709 | 10% |
| 16 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 416 | 10% |
| 17 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 302 | 10% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 201 | 10% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 78 | 10% |
| 20 | California | 39,536,653 | 3,538 | 9% |
Most common cities for corrections counselors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florence | 1 | 4% | $46,457 |
| 2 | Everett | 1 | 1% | $54,079 |
| 3 | Anchorage | 1 | 0% | $54,604 |
Corrections Counselor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of corrections counselor experts
Indiana Wesleyan University
Adelphi University
Saint Xavier University
Western Illinois University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
Elon University
University of North Dakota
Austin Community College
Tiffin University
Missouri State University
California State University San Marcos
Freed-Hardeman University
Auburn University
George Fox University
University of Indianapolis
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Lancaster Bible College
What general advice would you give to a Corrections Counselor?
Judith Justice EdD, PSC, LMHC: Based on the American School Counseling Association (ASCA Model), SCs assist students in academic, social/emotional, and college/career counseling. Daily they support students in individual and group counseling, provide proactive classroom instruction, consult and collaborate with faculty, families, and staff, and work to provide a safe and secure school environment.
What Corrections Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Judith Justice EdD, PSC, LMHC: Mental health across the nation is at an all-time low. School counselors are well-equipped to help with this need, as they see the students in social and academic situations throughout the school year. They get to know the students year after year and assist them in need or refer them to outside counseling within the community. Because of this, most states are in strong need for SC at this time.
What will help Corrections Counselors increase their earning potential?
Judith Justice EdD, PSC, LMHC: I believe that most SC would say that they love to assist youth in their growth and into their futures. Most would likely say they dislike the duties they may be expected to do that take away time with their students. Oftentimes, they are expected to do tasks such as scheduling, recess/lunch/or bus duties (which can be nice as they get to see students, BUT they want to be able to assist students in their major needs).
What general advice would you give to a Corrections Counselor?
Katherine Stavrianopoulos Ph.D.: Education and Credentials: Invest in obtaining advanced degrees and relevant certifications that enhance your qualifications and marketability. A master's or doctoral degree in counseling psychology, along with licensure or certification in your jurisdiction, can significantly increase your earning potential. Specialization and Niche Expertise: Develop expertise in specialized areas of counseling psychology that are in demand or command higher fees. Consider focusing on niche populations, such as children and adolescents, trauma survivors, couples therapy, family therapy and acquire specialized training or certifications to differentiate yourself in the market. Clinical Experience and Internships: Gain diverse clinical experience through internships, practicum placements, and supervised training opportunities. Continuing Education and Professional Development: Stay abreast of emerging trends, research findings, and evidence-based practices in counseling psychology through continuing education, workshops, and professional development opportunities.
What Corrections Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Katherine Stavrianopoulos Ph.D.: Digital Literacy and Teletherapy Skills: With the continued integration of technology in mental health care, counselors will need to enhance their proficiency in digital platforms and teletherapy modalities. This includes utilizing secure video conferencing tools, managing electronic health records (EHR), and maintaining ethical standards in online therapy settings. Cultural Competence and Diversity Awareness: As awareness of cultural diversity and social justice issues grows, counselors must deepen their understanding of intersectionality and cultural humility. Competence in working with diverse populations and addressing systemic barriers to mental health care will from an antiracism lens will be essential for providing inclusive and culturally responsive services. Trauma-Informed Care: Given the prevalence of trauma and its impact on mental health, counselors will need to adopt trauma-informed approaches across various settings. This includes recognizing the signs of trauma, creating safe environments for disclosure, and integrating trauma-sensitive interventions into counseling practice. Resilience-Building and Positive Psychology: In addition to addressing mental health challenges, there will be a greater emphasis on promoting resilience and well-being. Counselors will incorporate positive psychology principles, such as strengths-based interventions and mindfulness techniques, to empower clients and enhance their coping skills. Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Care: With the recognition of the interconnectedness of physical and mental health, counselors will collaborate more closely with other healthcare professionals in integrated care settings. Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams will be essential for providing holistic and comprehensive care to clients. Data Literacy and Outcome Measurement: Increasing emphasis on evidence-based practice and outcome measurement will require counselors to develop skills in data collection, analysis, and outcome evaluation. Ethical Decision-Making in Complex Situations: As counseling scenarios become increasingly complex, counselors will face ethical dilemmas that require nuanced decision-making. Strengthening skills in ethical reasoning, consultation, and ethical sensitivity will enable counselors to navigate challenging ethical issues with integrity and professionalism.
What will help Corrections Counselors increase their earning potential?
Katherine Stavrianopoulos Ph.D.: Continued Learning and Development: Stay committed to lifelong learning by attending workshops, pursuing advanced certifications, and staying updated on the latest research and therapeutic techniques. Supervision and Mentorship: Seek out supervision and mentorship opportunities from experienced professionals in the field. Consider participating in a peer supervision group where you can support one another and be open to constructive criticism as part of your development. Engage in regular self-reflection for personal growth. Prioritize Self-Care: Establish healthy boundaries between work and personal life, engage in activities that recharge you and help prevent burn out. Cultural Competence and Diversity: Cultivate cultural humility and strive to understand the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of your clients. Continuously educate yourself on multiculturalism and antiracism to provide competent and inclusive counseling services. Ethical Practice: Adhere to ethical guidelines and professional standards in your practice. Strive to Build Strong Therapeutic Relationships: Establish rapport, demonstrate empathy, and create a safe and trusting environment where clients feel comfortable exploring their thoughts and feelings. Evidence-Based Practice: Stay informed about research findings and utilize interventions that have been empirically validated for specific client populations and presenting issues. Networking and Collaboration: Build professional connections within the counseling community. Attend conferences, join professional organizations, and participate in networking events to expand your professional network. Collaboration with colleagues can lead to referrals, consultation opportunities, and mutual support. Consider doing some pro bono work: Pro bono services help bridge the gap to access mental health services for individuals who cannot afford them.
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC
Assistant Dean & Program Director, Master's programs in General Psychology and Mental Health CounselingAdelphi University
Mental And Social Health Services And Allied Professions
What general advice would you give to a Corrections Counselor?
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC: In the next few years, counselors will benefit from developing skills in emerging technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and how such technology is being used by clients through various social media applications that might lead to clinical concerns (.e.g., dating, gambling, pornography). Integrating some of these new technologies into therapeutically sound interventions will be one way to address these concerns both in traditional therapy settings, as well as virtually (e.g., avatar therapy).
What Corrections Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC: Given the complexities of the world today, emerging counseling professionals must be flexible in their treatment approach, inclusive in their understanding of diverse cultures and sub-cultures, and mature professionally through humility, self-reflection, and self-care.
What will help Corrections Counselors increase their earning potential?
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC: One way to maximize your earning potential when starting your career is to develop a focus, not just a specialization. A focus requires a broader lens when it comes to earnings. For example, specializing in clinical treatments for addiction is important and will generate referrals. However, having a focus in addiction treatments extends your reach into other adjacent areas such as business applications and services offered outside of the therapy office. It might start with the question, 'what other groups or organizations might benefit from my focus area?' This might lead to a consultation opportunity at a business that is interested in reducing burnout for its employees and by extension the sequelae of problems associated with burnout (e.g., depression, addiction). One opportunity often leads to another. The second way to maximize income early in your career is to consider ways to translate what you do into a public-facing profile. Whether using LinkedIn or your own website, it is crucial for the public to become acquainted with you professionally. Investing in this process will pay off quickly.
What general advice would you give to a Corrections Counselor?
Kristen Toole: Remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Personal and professional development are
lifelong processes that are never really finished. So, it is essential to pace yourself and establish a
foundation of healthy practices from the outset. Creating habits and routines in the beginning
with the end in mind can be a good strategy for success and sustainability.
Keep work-life balance and boundaries in mind from the start because breaking bad habits can
be tricky once established. Think about where you ultimately want to be and build toward that
future one step at a time. Also, it is okay if plans change! You never know where open-
mindedness and willingness to learn may take you.
What Corrections Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kristen Toole: This is an exciting time to be a counselor. It is a time for integration and inclusivity. With an
increasing focus on neuroscience and the advent of telehealth, incorporating science and
technology in counseling is increasingly relevant.
The use of technology is on the rise. As more people become familiar with telehealth, counselors
must become comfortable providing virtual care. Telehealth practices are also critical to
expanding our reach and improving the accessibility of our services.
Undeniable links between science and counseling continue to emerge. Findings in neuroscience
are shaping how we understand counseling and informing best practices (Cammisuli &
Castelnuovo, 2023). Furthermore, this supports incorporating knowledge and skills from other
disciplines to broaden the counseling field's horizons.
Mastering essential attending behaviors and the basic listening sequence (Ivey et al., 2018) is not
enough if we cannot successfully and accurately position our clients against a backdrop of broad
and complex contextual factors. Embracing diverse perspectives is crucial to supporting holistic
counseling practices. Integrating new information will be the key to achieving a more complete
and inclusive understanding of our clients and our work as we move forward.
What will help Corrections Counselors increase their earning potential?
Kristen Toole: Post-pandemic disparities have highlighted the necessity of prioritizing mental health and the
need for more mental health providers (Fink-Samnick, 2023; Health Resources & Services
Administration, 2023). The counseling field is expected to outpace the national average for
occupational growth six-fold over the next ten years (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022). There is
no question that counselors are in demand, but there are still a few strategies for new
professionals to maximize their salary potential.
A growing number of students are entering counseling graduate programs, having completed
undergraduate minors and focus areas in related fields. This is fantastic conceptually and can be
a vital strategy for enhancing their counseling work. Skill building is one way to optimize
success and salary.
Some graduate programs, like Xavier's, offer options for obtaining additional certifications along
the way to a master's degree. In Xavier's counseling program, students can choose courses that
allow them to get certificates in addiction counseling and medical trauma-informed care. For
clinical mental health counselors, this is an excellent way to demonstrate skill mastery, and for
school counselors, it provides a unique opportunity to broaden their scope of practice. Either
way, additional certifications exhibit a commitment that potential employers can appreciate.
Counselors who are well-informed about their market value and earning potential can engage in
informed offer negotiations. Additional skills are one way beginning professionals can increase
their starting salary. However, it is important to remember that total earnings include several
elements, and salary is just one piece of that puzzle.
Counselors are immensely versatile and can find work in various settings, so they need to
understand their options in addition to their earning potential. Benefits, schedule, and location
are other things that can impact the earnings bottom line and are essential to consider. Finally,
counselors must know themselves: personality, interests, work values, and abilities impact job fit
and, ultimately, work satisfaction. These are crucial considerations for mitigating compassion
fatigue (Stamm, 2010), which can limit counselors' longevity.
New professionals must research and reflect as they enter the job market. There are many things
to consider when choosing a job, and it can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, various resources,
such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook, O*Net, Glassdoor, and Monster, offer
indispensable tools and information to job seekers.
What general advice would you give to a Corrections Counselor?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: A practicing counselor's day is often full of sessions with clients. These sessions may be individual therapy, couples/families, or groups of individuals with some shared presenting issue. Counselors also have to complete paperwork associated with these sessions throughout the day. Some counselors also provide supervision to newer practitioners as a part of their work roles.
What Corrections Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: There is a critical need for mental health care in our world. Many want to help with this need, making counseling a good profession to enter now.
What will help Corrections Counselors increase their earning potential?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: Psychologists should be aware of what others in their field are making for similar positions. It is important to ask for what your work is worth in an initial position to assure raises are based on a solid starting salary. Newer psychologists may also consider asking for an early review that prompts an early conversation around potential raises, bonus, or other job benefits.
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Specialist in School Psychology and Clinical/ Community Mental Health Graduate ProgramsWestern Illinois University
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
What Corrections Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA: - The best I can give to graduates is to focus on taking small steps at first. Often the first year in the field can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. The system we work in (the helping profession broadly) often has a lot of challenges, and new professionals want to re-envision a path for changes. This is tangible, but at first, it is important to understand the roles and functions in the workplace before flipping everything upside down. I suggest taking one small change at a time in an area that is important to you and build relationships and trust with your professional colleagues before overloading yourself with the new job and new goals.
What general advice would you give to a Corrections Counselor?
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA: - The best I can give to graduates is to focus on taking small steps at first. Often the first year in the field can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. The system we work in (the helping profession broadly) often has a lot of challenges, and new professionals want to re-envision a path for changes. This is tangible, but at first, it is important to understand the roles and functions in the workplace before flipping everything upside down. I suggest taking one small change at a time in an area that is important to you and build relationships and trust with your professional colleagues before overloading yourself with the new job and new goals.
What will help Corrections Counselors increase their earning potential?
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA: - I think skills in using and being familiar with artificial intelligence (AI) will be important in our field now and in the upcoming five years. The capabilities of the open AI sources has exponentially grown smarter in just the past year. The tools accessible are revolutionizing the way people write reports, generate recommendations, capture clinical notes, and even summarize and synthesize information. It is technology that we must learn to understand after the point of graduate training where we can apply our professional decision-making skills and theoretical knowledge to the information input/output of this great technology.
Pamela Teaster Ph.D.
Professor and Director, Center for GerontologyVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Department of Human Development and Family
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Corrections Counselors?
Pamela Teaster Ph.D.: Possibly. Surely there is an impact on the ability of some students to be hired post-graduation. Some students who had positions lined up in the early spring found themselves without a position due to companies/academia/government halting hiring and work. This circumstance has the unfortunate effect of delaying graduates' entry into the job market and of putting them in competition with students who will be entering the job market in 2020. Students who have interests in fields that have a direct, as well as the indirect relationship to healthcare and public health, could find that their skills are in high demand, now and post-COVID.
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, Master of CounselingLouisiana State University at Shreveport
Department Of Psychology
What skills stand out on Corrections Counselor resumes?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Skills that stand out on Counselor resumes include multilingual, critical thinking, conflict resolution, and leadership skills.
What soft skills should all Corrections Counselors possess?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Soft skills that are essential for counselors include emotional intelligence, empathy, multicultural competency, interpersonal abilities, and authenticity.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Corrections Counselors?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: It is important that counselors are able to effectively take notes and summarize progress, interpret assessments, memorize and recall information, and keep clear yet concise records.
What skills will help Corrections Counselors earn the most?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Skills that will help you earn the most include teletherapy and trauma-informed care.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Corrections Counselors?
Monica Burney: Effective Human Service professionals have a working knowledge of case management principles and a good understanding of how to apply ecological systems theory to client situations. They also employ professional, effective, and concise documentation. One of the more critical responsibilities currently is to be able to participate in discussions around issues of equity and ethical responsibilities within the agency setting to effectively meet client needs.
Isaac Karikari Ph.D.
MSW Program Director, Chemical Dependency Minor, Assistant ProfessorUniversity of North Dakota
Department of Social Work
What soft skills should all Corrections Counselors possess?
Isaac Karikari Ph.D.: By default, social work practice is integrative. The levels of practice, broadly speaking, the micro-and macro-levels, intersect in ways that may not always be apparent. The capacity for critical and analytical thinking in identifying the nuances, seeing how these levels intersect, and understanding the implications for clients is essential for effective practice.
Relatedly, social work practice involves working with a diverse array of people across different systems and levels. A social worker needs to be able to navigate these systems. Systems thinking and the person-in-environment perspective are relevant.
Good interpersonal and communication skills are essential in helping one build and make the needed connections. These skills apply across the micro and macro levels.
The capacity to work collaboratively and with interdisciplinary teams is important. Other skills include genuinely demonstrating respect, empathy, reliability, integrity, and adaptability. Forbearance and emotional intelligence are often understated.
Social workers also need to have grit. Achieving and maintaining successful outcomes can be challenging.
Michelle Kelley Shuler Ph.D.
Department Chair: Human ServicesAustin Community College
Human Services Department
What skills stand out on Corrections Counselor resumes?
Michelle Kelley Shuler Ph.D.: a. Service to the community such as volunteer work at a food bank or camp counselor for those with physical or mental exceptionalities.
b. Consumer or customer service experience is essential, and experience dealing with the retail industry, food industry, and case management definitely stand out.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Corrections Counselors?
Michelle Kelley Shuler Ph.D.: a. Must have strong basic computer skills and knowledge of software such as excel spreadsheets, google docs, etc. Most, if not all, agencies use electronic health records and treatment planning, so it is necessary to be competent in this area.
b. A degree and additional certifications will assist you in seeking employment. It will also increase your level of competency and diversify the communities you serve. For example, at Austin Community College, we offer our students a chance to complete a certification in Mental Health First Aid Training. This increases their marketability and skill level.
Jonathan Appel Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology, Counseling & Criminal JusticeTiffin University
Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Corrections Counselors?
Jonathan Appel Ph.D.: Clinical practice license/certifications are often critical for marketability and employment. At Tiffin University we provide a training track for Psychology students to get a Chemical Dependency License to practice with an undergraduate degree. There is a nationwide shortage for licensed addiction specialists. The demand for licensed counselors in this area has increased greater than the supply.
These students are very often among the first of our graduates to get hired. Opportunities are only increasing as the The American Rescue Plan Act will provide $4 billion for substance use disorder and mental health services.
We also provide close advising and assist students to attend graduate school to obtain additional clinical licenses in the fields of psychology, counseling and social work.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Corrections Counselors?
Dr. Abby Templer Rodrigues Ph.D.: It is quite likely that the pandemic will have lasting effects on the nature and the availability of work. The nature of work will change, with businesses anticipating a permanent shift to telework for a portion of their positions (Handwerker et al. 2020). Telework is heavily utilized in the types of professionalized positions sought by most college graduates. It is also possible that employers will take more active steps to address racism in the workplace given the prominence of the Black Lives Matter Movement. The availability of work will also likely be depressed for a number of years. It took over five years for the labor market to recover after the Great Recession (Handwerker et al. 2020). The occupations hardest hit by the pandemic-related recession include hospitality, tourism, and recreation, health services, professional and business services, trade, arts and entertainment, and education (Handwerker et al. 2020), including higher education (Langin 2020).
Madeline Lee Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorCalifornia State University San Marcos
Department of Social Work
What technical skills for a Corrections Counselor stand out to employers?
Madeline Lee Ph.D.: There are technical skills that may stand out to employers, but as social workers, I think those technical skills together with "soft skills," can make an applicant really stand out to employers; social workers can combine their research skills with evidence-informed care and organizational quality improvement efforts, while being able to lead, build relationships, and think critically. In the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, our graduates will need to be able to fluidly navigate between employing telehealth methods to performing their work safely in-person when engaging and helping clients. To be effective, social workers will also need to understand the reverberating effects of the deep-seated roots of racism in our country and be willing to honestly confront and address those issues in whatever role they assume. Social workers are needed now more than ever.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Corrections Counselors?
Madeline Lee Ph.D.: I think the coronavirus pandemic is having/will have an enduring impact on all of us. Social workers are essential workers, and our current students are already in the field, interning at over 125 organizations throughout our Southern California region. Our students and alum serve some of the most vulnerable, including children and families experiencing poverty, the child welfare system, those with mental health needs, veterans, and older adults. The coronavirus has exposed existing fault lines and meeting the challenge of working at the intersection of two pandemics-the coronavirus, which is new, and racism, which is not new-will have an enduring impact on our students and graduates as they strive towards social work's mission for social justice. When the pandemic is behind us, it is my sincere hope that we will not forget how truly essential essential workers are and remember that we are all undeniably, intricately interconnected with each other.
Dr. James Dalton Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health CounselingFreed-Hardeman University
Counseling Program
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Corrections Counselor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. James Dalton Ph.D.: The pandemic has forced a shift to technology-assisted interactions in a wide variety of areas including education. I do not expect education to remain as reliant upon technology-assisted interaction as it has been in the past year. Neither do I expect our nation to return to almost complete reliance upon face-to-face interactions. Instead, I believe we will see technology-assisted education and technology-assisted school counseling integrated into the services of the majority of K-12 schools. Therefore, I believe we will see an increase in distance interactions with students through school counseling. Large districts may long-term employ some school counselors from off-site, or may incorporate off-site counselors into the services they provide.
Additionally, the pandemic has not decreased the mental health and wellness needs of our students, but instead has further demonstrated the existence of these needs and the difficulty many schools and communities have in meeting the needs of our most vulnerable populations. I expect this to lead to an increase in services that are provided by or integrated into schools including mental health counseling and trauma-informed counseling and services.
For both reasons, I expect school counseling jobs to have a greater variety of opportunities in the years ahead.
What's a good job out of college for Corrections Counselors?
Dr. James Dalton Ph.D.: The best type of job for a new school counselor will fit the individual skills of that graduate. Each individual has to determine what age-level they are best suited to assist and what type of school and community environment in which they will best fit. Additionally, it is important for those early in their career to have more experienced colleagues from whom they can seek consultation and support to help them grow into fully-competent professional school counselors. Finally, it is important to have a position where the administration and faculty value both the administrative functions of the school counselor and also the counseling functions of the school counselor. Too many fail to value counseling enough that the school counselor is provided the resources necessary to devote significant time to the counseling function of their position.
Adam Greer
Career Services SpecialistAuburn University
Department of Human Development and Family Science
What skills stand out on Corrections Counselor resumes?
Adam Greer: Clearly, the distance/online working skills will stand out with our HDFS majors. Our students have a strong foundation in learning to work with people, and now they have a new way to work with people and remove barriers that might have previously prevented an in-person meeting.
What experience really stands out on Corrections Counselor resumes?
Dr. Jennie Harrop Ph.D.: A diversity of experience is important, demonstrating to a future employee an individual's willingness to try new things, take risks, and experience life fully. Humility demands a willingness to embrace lower-level jobs as well as higher-level, and servant leadership is evidenced in a readiness to have an impact on one's community, regardless of the reward. The best resumes will demonstrate a variety of experiences and a sampling of volunteer work, as well as any memberships or awards that demonstrate commitment and follow-through.
Dr. Charla Davis
Assistant Professor & Director of Clinical TrainingUniversity of Indianapolis
College of Applied Behavioral Sciences-Graduate Department of Clinical Psychology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Corrections Counselors?
Dr. Charla Davis: I think that there will be both positive and negative impacts due to the coronavirus pandemic. A positive component is that students will be well-versed in providing virtual therapy experiences as well as professional meetings, as we have been forced to engage on this platform to help us get through the pandemic. A negative component is that students may have some struggles with interpersonal professional engagement (i.e. learning to read the room/audience), as they have had lesser experiences with this in the classroom.
What experience really stands out on Corrections Counselor resumes?
Dr. Charla Davis: All practicum experiences really stand out and will tell a future employer the exact experiences the student has had and that is why it is important to keep a well-documented curriculum vitae rather than a resume.
Dr. Susan Reay
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Nebraska at Omaha
Grace Abbott School of Social Work
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Corrections Counselor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Susan Reay: There is always a need for social work. As an essential worker, individuals who hold social work degrees are positioned for job opportunities in multiple health care sectors to include medical, mental health, corrections, policy, and other vital areas of practice. One of the lessons learned from the pandemic is that social work is here to stay. As a recession proof job, social work is more vital than ever with job opportunities readily available.
Melissa Boas
Director of Professional School Counseling, Assistant ProfessorLancaster Bible College
Counseling & Social Work Department
What Corrections Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Melissa Boas: I believe the most important skill to enhance if taking a gap year is self-awareness. Understanding oneself and why and how self-awareness directly relates to future career decision making is instrumental in ensuring the right decisions are made. Self-awareness is extremely beneficial in all areas of life not just in choosing a career pathway.