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Job outlook for counselors, instructor in the United States
Counselor, instructor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected counselor, instructor job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 32,400 new jobs for counselors, instructor are projected over the next decade.
Counselor, instructor salaries have increased 7% for counselors, instructor in the last 5 years.
There are over 47,313 counselors, instructor currently employed in the United States.
There are 55,725 active counselor, instructor job openings in the US.
The average counselor, instructor salary is $35,544.
Are counselor, instructor jobs in demand?
Counselor, instructor job and salary trends over time
Counselor, instructor jobs over time
Counselor, instructor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 47,313 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 44,960 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 43,226 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 43,532 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 43,148 | 0.01% |
Average counselor, instructor salary over time
Counselor, instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $35,544 | $17.09 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | $34,883 | $16.77 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $34,437 | $16.56 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $33,887 | $16.29 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $33,367 | $16.04 | +1.7% |
Counselor, instructor jobs by state
Most common states for counselors, instructor
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 118 | 17% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,027 | 15% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 141 | 15% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 742 | 13% |
| 5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 132 | 13% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 99 | 13% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 76 | 13% |
| 8 | Vermont | 623,657 | 70 | 11% |
| 9 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,018 | 10% |
| 10 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 884 | 10% |
| 11 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 482 | 10% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 410 | 10% |
| 13 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 343 | 10% |
| 14 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 76 | 10% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 775 | 9% |
| 16 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 554 | 9% |
| 17 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 285 | 9% |
| 18 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 121 | 9% |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 983 | 8% |
| 20 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 556 | 8% |
Most common cities for counselors, instructor
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $37,903 |
| 2 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $45,907 |
Counselor, Instructor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of counselor, instructor experts
Adelphi University
Saint Xavier University
Western Illinois University
Lewis University
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
The George Washington University
George Fox University
University of Indianapolis
Columbia International University
Lancaster Bible College
Bluefield State College
University of the Virgin Islands
Kent State University
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Carolina Christian College
Montana State University – Bozeman
Kent State University
American University
What general advice would you give to a Counselor, Instructor?
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 Counselor, Instructor 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 Counselors, Instructor 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 Counselor, Instructor?
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 Counselor, Instructor 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 Counselors, Instructor 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 Counselor, Instructor?
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 Counselor, Instructor 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 Counselors, Instructor 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 Counselor, Instructor?
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 Counselor, Instructor 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 Counselors, Instructor 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 Counselor, Instructor 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 Counselor, Instructor?
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 Counselors, Instructor 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.
Lisa Brown
Assistant ProfessorLewis University
School Counseling Program
What hard/technical skills are most important for Counselors, Instructor?
Lisa Brown: Because of the prevalence of social/emotional issues within K-12, especially in the last few years, school counselors need to have assessment skills. School counselors need to identify any red flags in their students that may indicate the student is struggling. This goes beyond academics and includes aspects such as interpersonal skills and self-worth.
Similar to assessment is data analysis. The gathering of data does not stop after a student is assessed but rather is just beginning. School counselors are held accountable to demonstrate the interventions they are utilizing are working. Data is also used to secure future funds. If an intervention used within the fall resulted in little change, a school district might not allocate funds to continue to use the same program. School counselors utilize data to demonstrate how effective they are and advocate for additional resources to address social/emotional issues within their student body.
As we learned during COVID-19, school counselors need to be tech-savvy. Many students are still learning remotely or are utilizing a hybrid format. While this has been quite helpful for some students, others are falling through the cracks. School counselors have had to get creative in checking in with their students and are doing so through technology.
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, Master of CounselingLouisiana State University at Shreveport
Department Of Psychology
What skills stand out on Counselor, Instructor 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 Counselors, Instructor 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 Counselors, Instructor?
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 Counselors, Instructor earn the most?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Skills that will help you earn the most include teletherapy and trauma-informed care.
What type of skills will young Counselors, Instructor need?
Dr. Mary DeRaedt: The job of a school counselor is ever changing and evolving, but the importance of responsive and proactive mental health intervention has been and will continue to be of increasing importance in school environments as we discover a new normal as a culture, post-COVID. As I mentioned previously, graduates will need a solid foundation in technological knowledge, stress management and adaptability in order to meet the needs of schools.
Beyond those core skills, graduates entering the workforce in the coming years will need to be skilled in understanding and articulating the importance of trauma informed schools. The changing nature of our workforce also creates a need for school counselors to be knowledgeable about career counseling and the importance of understanding and addressing issues of discrimination, inequality and antiracism as they apply to the lived experience and future career options of students.
What experience really stands out on Counselor, Instructor 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.
What type of skills will young Counselors, Instructor need?
Dr. Jennie Harrop Ph.D.: The most successful graduates will be self-aware, humble, creative, and collaborative. Effective communication skills are critical, including both verbal and written, as well as an ability to articulate a clear purpose, read an audience effectively, and persuade with empathy. While market-specific skills are important, most can be learned on the job and are changing quickly, so the best employees will be those who can anticipate change and continually press in new directions, encouraging coworkers to come alongside as they go.
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 Counselors, Instructor?
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 type of skills will young Counselors, Instructor need?
Dr. Charla Davis: Young graduates need to feel comfortable asking for assistance and guidance from more senior clinicians. I know this can be challenging for students to seek out help from senior clinician, but this is imperative to help prevent mistakes, as well as gain wisdom from that is not necessarily taught in the classroom and is gained by continued work in the field.
What experience really stands out on Counselor, Instructor 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.
What Counselor, Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Seth Scott Ph.D.: A gap year provides a great opportunity to bolster your resume through service towards others and learning the skills of discipline and diligence in difficult tasks that will stretch you as a person as you can exert more effort and engage in hard things because it is for a limited duration. A gap year provides the opportunity to sprint without pacing because the time is short. Difficult jobs working with people in need through service in missions, education, and behavioral health provide insight and direction regarding career options while also improving self-awareness, which is critical for all future career decisions.
What general advice would you give to a Counselor, Instructor?
Dr. Seth Scott Ph.D.: Start by eating the vegetables, which means doing the hardest stuff first. Stretch yourself at the beginning of your career where struggle and failure are expected and you have the support and guidance you need to learn and grow beyond what you think is your capacity. By starting with the hardest stuff, you increase your confidence in your capacity and competence, allowing you to build the muscles of self-awareness and job skill you will need to choose your career path in the future.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Counselor, Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Seth Scott Ph.D.: The pandemic of loneliness existed prior to this current pandemic and contributed to the rising rates of anxiety and depression in our society in the past decade, so with the forced isolation created by this virus the rates of anxiety, depression, and fear, along with the comorbid physical health problems to these mental health issues, will also increase. Life lived virtually can provide some continuity for maintaining existing relationships, but cannot replace in-person, reciprocal friendships built on mutual aid for building value and belonging. Therefore, these mental health needs and escalating loneliness will create significant need for skilled counselors able to provide effective counseling both in-person and through virtual formats to bridge the chasm of fear and isolation peaking through this pandemic.
I believe that we are also seeing a promotion of safetyism in our culture, which suggests that anything that is difficult or fearful should be avoided, which further exacerbates fear and avoidance, creating a society that lacks the capacity for engaging in the discipline and hard work of living life, learning, and growing. This retreat to safety will create a gap among jobs in the service industry where people have traditionally learned the basic skills and discipline of work.
Melissa Boas
Director of Professional School Counseling, Assistant ProfessorLancaster Bible College
Counseling & Social Work Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Counselor, Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Melissa Boas: I believe the biggest trends will be the gradual change to what the new workforce of the future will look like. There is no doubt the pandemic has forever changed the world of work. This will have huge implications on where and how people work moving forward. Remote work will become the norm for many businesses and this will likely transform other facets of life such as the family unit with parents being home more and also work hours no longer being static but rather fluid.
What Counselor, Instructor 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.
Colin Cavell
Professor of Political ScienceBluefield State College
School of Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Counselor, Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Colin Cavell: The United States is currently beset by a global pandemic, large-scale unemployment, racial, gender, and class divisions, and has many international challenges it must deal with in its foreign policies. Indeed, human society and its concomitant problems and opportunities indicate that careers for social sciences graduates will blossom, expand, and become of increasing significance in the coming decade. Yes, traditional careers for social sciences graduates will continue, such as lawyers, politicians, foreign policy analysts, lobbyists, campaign organizers, military analysts, teachers, writers, reporters, editors, paralegals, public relations specialists, market research analysts, grant writers, archivists, museum curators, librarians, historical researchers, guidance counselors, human resource representatives, management consultants, media representatives, administrators, industrial organization psychologists, psychiatry, counselors, therapists, etc. And it is certain that many new careers requiring a social sciences background will develop as our society evolves technologically, culturally, and politically. In short, if one is interested in human beings and their behavior and societal relations, then one should definitely first prepare themselves with a social sciences degree to ensure you are fully equipped - intellectually, ethically, and practically - in order to be able to contend with whatever social, political, and economic challenges one confronts as they construct their lives and define their contributions.
Social scientists engage in analyzing societies from various perspectives - including historical, sociological, psychological, economic, political, etc. We survey the historical antecedents which precede subsequent developments, we examine the various sociological aspects of a society in order to understand the multiple social forces impacting upon the population of a society, we analyze the separate but numerous psychological factors underpinning the behavior of disparate groups within a society, we examine the variety of economic relations which reproduce ourselves and our world, and we explore the probable consequences that may result from pursuing certain policies as opposed to others.
It is the mission of social scientists to research, study, document, and teach students the methods of social science so that they may be able to make informed decisions about their world, understand how it has come to be, and act using Constitutional processes available to either alter conditions or reinforce existing institutions as desired.
The Bluefield State Social Sciences Department is your launching pad for life-affirming careers, and we are ready and willing to assist you in charting your path forward.
Xuri Maurice Allen Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Education and Program CoordinatorUniversity of the Virgin Islands
School of Education, Master of Arts in School Counseling (MASC) Program
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Counselors, Instructor?
Xuri Maurice Allen Ph.D.: I think there will be an enduring impact from the coronavirus pandemic on graduates. The scope, magnitude, and ramifications of the pandemic have called for the creation of new, innovative ways to deliver comprehensive school counseling services and the enhancement of pre-existing means of service delivery by being creative and flexible. Graduates' ability to be innovative, creative, and flexible is an expectation now and will have a significant impact on their work as professional school counselors.
Another enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates is the need to be "comfortable" and familiar with electronic, digital, and virtual technologies that facilitate school counseling. It is imperative that school counselors of today and the future demonstrate prowess in utilizing appropriate technological modalities. I think a third enduring impact will be a heightened awareness among school counselors to be empathic/empathetic when providing services to students, a hallmark core condition in counseling.
What type of skills will young Counselors, Instructor need?
Xuri Maurice Allen Ph.D.: Since one cannot become a professional school counselor with only a baccalaureate degree, graduates of counselor education graduate school programs tend to be older than typical graduates of undergraduate programs of study. Skills needed by school counseling program graduates when they enter the workforce in the coming years will include the skills mentioned above, namely the ability to be innovative, creative, flexible, technologically-proficient, and most empathic/empathetic. Graduates also will need to possess skills in virtual counseling, trauma counseling, multicultural counseling, and social justice counseling. The coronavirus pandemic and the numerous natural and human-caused tragedies of recent years underscore the need for competence in these specific types and methods of counseling.
What experience really stands out on Counselor, Instructor resumes?
Xuri Maurice Allen Ph.D.: Experience that indicates the applicability of skills inherent to school counseling really stands out on resumes. It is important that graduates indicate the experiential training and professional development activities they have had that facilitated their acquisition of knowledge, awareness, and skills in counseling. Experiences such as practicums, internships, and prior work experience within school settings should be included on resumes. Graduates' research activity and scholarly writing that is published in academic journals stand out on resumes, as well.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Counselor, Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Steven Toepfer Ph.D.: The pandemic has changed, and will change, the job market in ways we do not yet fully understand. Generally, I am concerned that many full-time workers will be replaced with more part-time employees. There is a clear move toward remote work, some of which will most likely remain after the pandemic as employers see the decrease in overhead due to the scaled-down need for in-house workers. Many organizations will be reassessing critical versus less necessary skill sets. I hope this will make businesses and educational institutions more resilient.
Fields such as public health have grown significantly. Jobs in the domain of public health are plentiful and will provide numerous opportunities. Health care fields are also fantastic opportunities. Data and technology-oriented fields are also growing.
In Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) there are many job opportunities such as assisted living assistants, case management, addiction (drug and alcohol) treatment, day care professionals, and human resources to name a few. Additional options are in adult aging, counselors/therapists, and other mental health professions.
What skills stand out on Counselor, Instructor resumes?
Dr. Steven Toepfer Ph.D.: Generally, resume skills that might stand out include hands-on experience, leadership examples, and various skills related to technology. Always try to tailor your resume to the job you are applying!
What type of skills will young Counselors, Instructor need?
Brian Ogolsky Ph.D.: Critical thinking skills are crucial in science disciplines. Graduates need to be the right consumers of research because there is a lot of false information floating around. They need to be able to understand and critique science, methods, and data. Independence and creativity are also crucial. Employees are becoming more dependent on specific guidelines, tasks, and directives, but to thrive and move up the ranks, it is critical to come up with new and exciting ideas and take risks.
How do you envision technology impacting Counselors, Instructor in the next 5 years?
Brian Ogolsky Ph.D.: The pandemic has taught us that we have to adapt to change, and technology has proven an essential form of adaptability. It is clear that employers now see that employees can work remotely, so I expect a lot more of this in the future. It benefits the employers financially (less overhead, etc.) and to employees (more flexibility). That said, work at home arrangements disproportionately affects women with children because they pick up more of the child care burden. This means that more needs to be done to support working parents (women, mostly) to help allow productivity and promote mental health.
What type of skills will young Counselors, Instructor need?
Dr. Andrew Wood: For Biblical Studies, it is vital that graduates have a genuine relationship with Jesus, that they are people of humility and integrity, desire to be lifelong learners, and have open minds to new things they learn that may challenge their original assumptions. They need to have a strong work ethic, organizational, and time management skills to work on their own productively and with integrity.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Counselors, Instructor to find work opportunities?
Dr. Andrew Wood: Many of the smaller churches across the country need part-time pastors. Our graduates could potentially find opportunities to pastor more than one rural church at the same time or to work part-time at a church as a "tentmaker," supporting themselves with a second job, as some of our missionaries and urban ministers do. Some larger churches and colleges are eager to diversify their staff, creating some unique opportunities for people of color from Carolina Christian College to minister in a way that bridges ethnic divides.
How do you envision technology impacting Counselors, Instructor in the next 5 years?
Dr. Andrew Wood: I believe more of our ministry and higher education will be done online. During the pandemic, many people have taken advantage of the opportunity to participate in online church, and I think not all will return to in-person church. Churches and educational institutions have an excellent opportunity to expand their impact globally. We need young people who are tech-savvy and culturally fluent while having a solid grounding in Scripture and an appreciation of the Christian tradition's positive aspects.
Dr. Mark Nelson
Professor and Program LeaderMontana State University – Bozeman
Department of Health and Human Development; Graduate Program – School Counseling
What type of skills will young Counselors, Instructor need?
Dr. Mark Nelson: I would argue that counseling, consulting, researching, problem-solving, and teaching skills form the top tier of a list for new school counselors. I would also suggest that creativity is an essential skill necessary to design, implement, and evaluate various aspects of delivering their school counseling program.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Counselors, Instructor to find work opportunities?
Dr. Mark Nelson: Rocky Mountain and western states seem to have many opportunities. This may be due to the westward migration in the U.S. population.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Counselors, Instructor?
Dr. Mark Nelson: I believe that over the next five years, technology will continue to have its greatest influence on a school counselor's students or counselees and not on the way counselors in schools work from day to day. Students still congregate in schools where counselors interact and facilitate their career, academic, and personal development. These efforts will likely continue to be conducted in a face-to-face manner. However, technology and its ensuing changes do have a pronounced impact on the life of students. Consequently, these impacts will become a part of a counselor's work as they assist students. It seems that with the increase in virtual/digital elements in our society, people, including students, appreciate and value personal contact with others. At my university, we have found that the isolation experienced by students as a result of changes precipitated by Covid-19 has prompted students to appreciate in-person contact with each other and our teaching faculty members. It would appear that technology may promote recognition among people that interpersonal contact continues to be important.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Counselors, Instructor to find work opportunities?
Dr. Jay Dorfman: There are certainly some states with teacher shortages, but that is often because those states' political or economic climates make them less desirable as a place for teachers to work. If teachers' teaching conditions and salaries were improved, there would be more people interested in entering the profession. That said, I typically tell students that the broader their search for a job can be, the more likely they are to find a good fit.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Counselors, Instructor in the next 5 years?
Dr. Michelle Newton-Francis Ph.D.: The upheaval of the pandemic sees graduates entering the worst job market in more than a decade. Still, some forecasters say it is slowly getting better. I encourage graduates to remain flexible in their thinking and search strategies. For example, many companies will expand their remote positions, opening opportunities for jobs they may not have previously considered due to geographic location. Pandemic or not, graduates may not obtain their "dream job" right away and should also consider opportunities that build transferable skills. Pandemic or not, job searching should always be treated like a full-time job. It is just more challenging and competitive right now. Networking is vital and remains one of the most viable ways to get a job. To create networks, students should take advantage of virtual or socially distanced internships, which build contacts and skills. Students and alumni often overlook their college career centers, which offer invaluable services (and connections), including virtual career fairs and meetings with potential employers.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Counselors, Instructor to find work opportunities?
Dr. Michelle Newton-Francis Ph.D.: The applicability and utility of studying sociology opens the possibilities in numerous sectors. In business, graduates work in public relations, consumer research, marketing, and human resources. In health services, students work in administration, planning, education, and research. There are also opportunities throughout the criminal justice and social services fields. Many students go to graduate school to work in law and secondary or higher education.