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Education counselor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected education counselor job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 32,400 new jobs for education counselors are projected over the next decade.
Education counselor salaries have increased 7% for education counselors in the last 5 years.
There are over 34,440 education counselors currently employed in the United States.
There are 40,323 active education counselor job openings in the US.
The average education counselor salary is $45,465.
Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
---|---|---|
2021 | 34,440 | 0.01% |
2020 | 32,292 | 0.01% |
2019 | 30,592 | 0.01% |
2018 | 31,404 | 0.01% |
2017 | 31,683 | 0.01% |
Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
---|---|---|---|
2025 | $45,465 | $21.86 | +1.9% |
2024 | $44,620 | $21.45 | +1.3% |
2023 | $44,049 | $21.18 | +1.6% |
2022 | $43,345 | $20.84 | +1.6% |
2021 | $42,680 | $20.52 | +1.7% |
Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,375 | 35% |
2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 216 | 31% |
3 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 269 | 20% |
4 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 632 | 18% |
5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 173 | 16% |
6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 817 | 15% |
7 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 205 | 15% |
8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 149 | 15% |
9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 113 | 15% |
10 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,783 | 14% |
11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,024 | 14% |
12 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 958 | 14% |
13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 833 | 14% |
14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 788 | 14% |
15 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 285 | 14% |
16 | Vermont | 623,657 | 90 | 14% |
17 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,625 | 13% |
18 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 537 | 13% |
19 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,102 | 12% |
20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 125 | 12% |
Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cambridge | 1 | 1% | $49,506 |
2 | Little Rock | 1 | 1% | $36,311 |
3 | New York | 1 | 0% | $50,474 |
4 | Scottsdale | 1 | 0% | $39,325 |
Sonoma State University
Western Illinois University
Florida Institute of Technology
Indiana Wesleyan University
SUNY College at Oswego
Jackson State University
Adelphi University
Saint Xavier University
Western Illinois University
Lewis University
St. John Fisher College
Penn State College of Medicine
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
Boston College
Monmouth University
Augustana University
The George Washington University
Dr. Adam Zagelbaum: I believe that trauma-informed care services are going to be quite necessary since there have been a rising number of students impacted by traumatic events. The COVID-19 pandemic itself was a global trauma that contributed to the current situation where schools are seeing an increase in mental health needs. Schools are needing to provide more Section 504 Accommodation Plans where access to the school counselor might be listed as an accommodation and school counselors need to step into that space. Further, although there has always been a need for bilingual school counselors, with increased migrancy to the United States, I also believe learning a second language is becoming more valuable and critical within many schools. English-only school counselors ought to attempt to maximize their knowledge regarding a) counseling migrant students b) working with multicultural families, and c) the particular mental health needs of English language learner students so that they can not only help the student, but also advise school-site teammates accordingly.
Dr. Adam Zagelbaum: Though the word 'maximize' is a tough one for me to define, I believe people should take the time to look up the public salary schedules available to places where they are applying to be sure that they can position themselves to have as reasonable and comfortable a starting position as possible. Asking questions during the job interview about how raises and salary increases occur can also give people a sense of how easy or possible it is to obtain these things. Early career school counselors may not want to be short-sighted but rather, look for employers that provide longevity increases or simply do not have a cap/have extended step increases for those counselors who remain in the same position a number of years. Of course, having bilingual skills naturally lends itself to marketability, but so does possessing various trauma certifications or certifications/experience regarding specific populations, such as working with students with autism.
Dr. Adam Zagelbaum: I recommend that school counselors enter the field with as much open mindedness as possible, meaning that they would consider as many grade levels and school districts possible when choosing a job. This provides the school counselor the possibility of having various options, including the choice to work with a team or to have an independent position. I also believe that it is important to assess how many forms of support the early career counselor will have, whether this be amongst coworkers, the school district administration, or even the PTA because working in isolation can be draining. Support for a school counselor is important as it can be difficult for anyone first starting a counseling-focused position to learn the role, manage their time, and self-support their mental health while supporting student needs. It can be helpful to have access to consultation between district coworkers for not only case support but also for emotional support. It would also be beneficial to inquire about whether districts provide the school counselor ongoing training and professional development, including conference/workshop participation. It is important for entry-career school counselors to have support to grow as much as possible so that they can expand their skills.
Dr. Vanessa Alleyne: It will be important to network and utilize professional organizations of which you are a member, such as the ACA (American Counseling Association), or the ASGW (Association for Specialists in Group Work), for example. Meet people, attend training for advanced skills in key areas, and present there when possible. Whether locally or nationally, these are valuable connections to make when starting out, and will also enhance your knowledge base as you begin and grow. Another valuable connection to be made can be found through your alma mater. Find professional affinity groups from your undergraduate program, and certainly maintain or build ties with your graduate program alumni. Finally, many people turn to social media such as Linkedin, which is fine, but can also be a bit overwhelming. Be deliberate in your choices about who to connect with, and don't get fomo! It's ok not to connect with everyone that pops up in your feed. Stay with one social media site at a time until you feel it's working the way you'd like, and then go on to another.
Western Illinois University
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
Dr. Tiffany Bainter PhD LCPC NCC: Starting a career in counseling is a fulfilling journey but comes with its own set of challenges. My advice to graduates stepping into this field would be to prioritize self-care. It's crucial to maintain a healthy balance between your professional and personal life, especially when dealing with emotionally taxing situations. Seek supervision and mentorship regularly; having guidance from experienced professionals can provide invaluable insights and support as you navigate your counseling career. Additionally, stay open to continuous learning. The field of counseling is dynamic, with new research and techniques emerging constantly. Pursue opportunities for further education, attend workshops, and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. Cultivate empathy and cultural competence to better understand and connect with clients from diverse backgrounds. Building strong therapeutic relationships based on trust and empathy is at the core of effective counseling practice. Lastly, remember to advocate for mental health awareness and the importance of access to quality mental health services. Being a counselor goes beyond individual sessions; it involves being an advocate for your clients' well-being within the larger societal context.
Mariana Juras Ph.D.: Be attuned to your values, passion, skills, and abilities, and also to what market values.
Mariana Juras Ph.D.: I believe multiple language and cultural knowledges and experiences are great assets to have, and also to integrate human specific and technology integration with the mental health field, by also considering ethics, culture, and humane relevancy. Neuropsychology is also a developing field and integration with mental health treatment is increasing.
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.
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.
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).
Jodi Mullen PhD LMHC RPT-S: The bulk of the work a mental health counselor does is clinical, meaning you meet with clients and provide counseling. There is also record keeping, preparation, and administrative responsibilities. New and seasoned counselors alike spend some time in supervision and consultation with other counselors. Supervision is a time to discuss cases with a more experienced professional where there are opportunities for growth professionally and personally. Consultation involves either meeting with others connected to your clients, like parents of children clients, or with professionals in mental health and other fields that can help the counselor sort out a challenge. In that case it may be an attorney or a trauma specialist.
Jackson State University
Student Counseling And Personnel Services
Jie Ke: - Familiarize yourself with school systems and policies: Take the time to familiarize yourself with the specific educational system, policies, and regulations of the school or district you'll be working in. Understanding the administrative processes and procedures will help you navigate the system more effectively. Collaborate with teachers and parents: Establish strong relationships with teachers and parents to foster a collaborative approach in supporting students. Regular communication and collaboration with these stakeholders can enhance your ability to address students' academic, social, and emotional needs. Practice self-reflection: Take time for self-reflection to enhance your self-awareness and improve your counseling skills. Regularly review your interactions, techniques, and personal biases to ensure that you are providing the best possible support to students.
Jie Ke: - Technology skills: With the increasing integration of technology in educational settings, school counselors will need to be proficient in using technology tools and platforms for counseling, data analysis, and communication. - Data analysis skills: School counselors will need to have strong skills in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to inform their counseling interventions and measure their effectiveness.- Collaboration and interdisciplinary teamwork skills: School counselors will increasingly collaborate with other professionals, including teachers, administrators, psychologists, and community organizations. - Crisis intervention skills: The ability to provide immediate, short-term help to individuals who experience an event that produces emotional, mental, physical, and behavioral distress or problems.
Jie Ke: - Collaborate with professionals in the field and build up a network in the specific areas that you are interested in. Seek professional development opportunities: Engage in professional development activities such as attending conferences, workshops, or webinars specific to school counseling. These opportunities will help you stay current with the latest research, enhance your skills, and connect with other professionals in the field. Stay informed about educational trends: Stay up to date with current trends and research in education and counseling. This includes being aware of new intervention strategies, evidence-based practices, and developments in the field of school counseling. Continuous learning will help you provide the most effective support to students.
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.
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.
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.
Adelphi University
Mental And Social Health Services And Allied Professions
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Western Illinois University
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
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.
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.
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.
Lewis University
School Counseling Program
Lisa Brown: School counselors have always worked with issues beyond academic performance and college admission. School counselors may be the first to hear of child abuse in the home, deaths occurring in the family, parents struggling with a medical issue, and so forth. Today, school counselors address more social-emotional, mental health, and behavioral issues than ever before. Students are concerned about the socio-political climate, systemic racism, school shootings, bullying, and teen suicide. Therefore, a school counselor who has additional training in these areas would be an asset to a school. Our national professional organization, American School Counseling Association (ASCA), provides resources and training on these topics to ensure the school counselors remain competent to address these concerns. School counselors with knowledge and training on crisis and trauma response are especially helpful as many students have experienced various traumas due to COVID-19.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training and experiences are also highly sought after. School counselors are agents of change with an ethical obligation to serve as advocates and leaders in combatting systemic discrimination and education barriers. This is not restricted to race but does include other multicultural factors. During COVID-19, school counselors have seen an increase in the number of students identifying as non-binary. School counselors collaborate with parents, teachers, coaches, and administrators to ensure that these individuals are respected and a valued part of the school.
Lisa Brown: School counselors must be efficient. They may have large caseloads of students for which they are responsible. Being able to prioritize, manage their time, and have a strong work ethic are necessary components to success. Attitude is also key. School counselors are to be empathic, approachable, and nonjudgmental. This means school counselors need to be open to learning from others and be willing to confront any bias or prejudice they may hold.
School counselors are collaborators within the school system and may work as part of a large team that may include the student, parents, teachers, coaches, deans, social workers, psychiatrists, and so forth. School counselors must understand and demonstrate teamwork and conflict resolution.
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.
Lisa Brown: Earning potential for school counselors is not likely to vary based on skillset, but rather the state or school district. Salary may vary based on the type of degree (master's versus doctorate) and level of experience. I am unsure of what skills may increase one's salary. As a counselor educator, I advise my students to remain relevant. Part of being successful in our field understands how current events shape the lives and needs of our students. Currently, there is a great need for school counselors to understand trauma, LGBTQ+ identities, and how to establish an anti-racist school.
St. John Fisher College
Wegmans School of Nursing
John Kiweewa Ph.D.: Receptivity to Feedback: Openness to consistently accept feedback in a respectful way is a vital quality, especially for new graduates. Such openness is important not only to feedback from supervisors but from colleagues and clients. Agreeing to or feeling bound to act on the feedback received is not as important as communicating appreciation for the effort of others in giving feedback. In this case, display of behaviors such as anger, annoyance, frustration, defensiveness, excessive/exaggerated self-criticism, or withdrawal gets in the way of learning and/or being a member of a team.
Appropriate Self-Disclosure: The ability for mental health practitioners to 'use' themselves for the benefit of their clients is one of the cornerstones of effective counseling. Such a quality is most evident when one only shares information about themselves that fits the nature and purpose of the interaction with a particular client. When personal information is revealed, it is tasteful, relevant, and is not upsetting, distracting, or confusing to others. Prospective employers are keenly aware of the ways self-serving or self-aggrandizing disclosure of personal information can negatively impact the ability to provide meaningful services to clients.
Reliability and Follow Through: Mental health professionals work in a helping profession that requires the professional to be consistently dependable, reliable, and able to follow through with tasks and assignments in a timely and thorough manner. This includes meeting deadlines, being punctual to sessions with clients and for agency meetings, being prepared, and having a reputation as one who can be counted on to do their part when functioning as a team or project member.
Flexibility and Adaptability: This quality is most evident when a mental health counseling professional consistently demonstrates a willingness to change or compromise in the face of new information, circumstances, and contexts. Situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, require mental health practitioners to have an openness to solutions that match the needs of their service recipients and organizations.
Sense of Humor: There is little to cheer about in the professional life of mental health professionals. We spend the majority of our working time listening to the most painful and vulnerable aspects of people's lives. This quality is most evident when a mental health counselor assumes an orientation to life that acknowledges to self and others the value of looking at the "lighter side" of life to maintain a balance; when they find enjoyment in laughing with others and recognize laughter as a way of reducing tension and as an important aspect of social discourse.
Confidence Balanced with Humility: Confidence in one's abilities (self-efficacy) is a general challenge for beginning mental health counselors. Some may appear over-confident as a way to compensate for lack of experience in the field and to project an image of competence. It is, therefore, important that new graduate is able to act with self-assurance by consistently expressing themselves in a clear, deliberate, and unassuming manner. It is not helpful to "put on airs" or flaunt knowledge or skills in order to bring attention to oneself. What is important is to convey appreciation for the privilege to partake in other people's life journeys and struggles.
Penn State College of Medicine
Adolescent Medicine, Psychiatry
Martha Peaslee Levine M.D.: Good communication skills are important. Working as a therapist involves interacting with someone. It will be important to demonstrate being able to listen effectively and being able to communicate clearly. Active listening is important in therapy and in an interview. Be engaged; listen to the interviewer so that you are clearly providing the information that they need. For example, I often ask interviewees to tell me about a case that they found rewarding or challenging. From this, I want to know how someone thinks through a clinical situation. I want to hear how they describe their client (anonymously, of course) and how they put together the important parts of the story. If it was challenging and they now recognize ways to handle it differently, that lets me know that they have thought about this. It also shows that they are willing to reflect on difficult situations and learn from them. If someone cannot relate a story or discuss a client with me, that makes me wonder about their skills as a therapist and their interest in their patients. These clinical interactions can come from your work in school, shadowing someone in training, or internships. It is recognizing and describing the important elements of the case. Another important skill is good written communication. Check your resumes for spelling mistakes. Reread any emails to make certain they are clear. Send thank-you notes. Keep things professional--use the interviewer's professional title when you write. Be on time and have a question or two to ask about the position or place of employment. Examples can be, what are they looking for in a counselor? What have they found the most rewarding working in this office? Find your own go-to question, but interviewers what to know that you are interested.
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
Department Of Psychology
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Skills that stand out on Counselor resumes include multilingual, critical thinking, conflict resolution, and leadership skills.
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Soft skills that are essential for counselors include emotional intelligence, empathy, multicultural competency, interpersonal abilities, and authenticity.
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.
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Skills that will help you earn the most include teletherapy and trauma-informed care.
Boston College
Department of Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology
Treniece Lewis Harris Ph.D.: -compassion
-active listening
-perspective-taking
-open-mindedness and respect for differences
-humility
-curiosity and critical observation
-problem recognition and analytical thinking
-creativity and flexibility
-presentation skills
Alan Cavaiola Ph.D.: Skills that stand out on a resume: What mental health counselors need to emphasize on their resume/CV would be any additional training, certificates, and conferences to help make their resume stand out. For example, some of our students take workshops and training to become certified Disaster Response Crisis Counselors in New Jersey. Others take workshops or trainings in DBT, or they'll take EMDR training or telehealth training. These are definitely the skills employers would see as important and would help put the applicant's resume at the top of the pile. Also, students in our graduate program can specialize in addiction counseling which then helps to make them eligible for both the LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) and the LCADC (Licensed Clinical Alcohol & Drug Counselor). Having both licenses will increase job possibilities exponentially.
Augustana University
Psychology Department
Dr. Benjamin Jeppsen: In Mental Health Counseling, the ability to work with people from various cultural backgrounds is paramount. Training in multicultural psychology, diversity, and inclusion are all essential in our pluralistic society. I would also emphasize training in empirically supported treatments and a clear theoretical orientation grounded in scientific literature. Finally, the recent pandemic has accelerated the use of teletherapy and remote counseling--effectiveness in connecting with people through technology and making the most of an adapted model for therapy will be very important.
Dr. Mary DeRaedt: Absolutely, but while the question sounds negative, the impact will not necessarily be. Over the course of this past semester, interns in our program have been able to not only do the job of a school counselor, they have been forced by the restrictions of the pandemic to learn more advanced technological skills, become more flexible and adaptable to ever changing expectations in the school systems, and learn more creative and engaging ways to not only garner but maintain student attention in virtual environments. All of these skills are transferable to an in person environment and will make them better equipped to work in the post COVID 19 world.
An added skill set, stress management, is one that will be in high demand in coming years as our society recovers from the emotional toll this pandemic has taken on our mental health. Students who have been in school counseling programs during lockdowns and quarantine have spent that time immersed in learning coping skills and healthy mental health practices but also given the opportunity to apply these skills during a time of immense need. This direct application of skills across environments gives this cohort of students an experience level that is unprecedented.
The impact of this pandemic will be felt by all of us for years to come, but the potential for this group of graduates to have a positive affect on that impact is high.
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.
Dr. Mary DeRaedt: Resumes will need to demonstrate knowledge and training in trauma informed schools approaches, experience with both in person and virtual student engagement, and demonstration of knowledge and skills with underserved, minority and at risk populations. Demonstrating a commitment to continued growth and learning by having sought out specialized training will also help an applicant stand out when applying for a position.