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Job outlook for elementary school counselors in the United States
Elementary school counselor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected elementary school counselor job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 32,400 new jobs for elementary school counselors are projected over the next decade.
Elementary school counselor salaries have increased 7% for elementary school counselors in the last 5 years.
There are over 16,022 elementary school counselors currently employed in the United States.
There are 92,184 active elementary school counselor job openings in the US.
The average elementary school counselor salary is $34,984.
Are elementary school counselor jobs in demand?
Elementary school counselor job and salary trends over time
Elementary school counselor jobs over time
Elementary school counselor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,022 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 15,798 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 16,027 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 15,432 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 14,669 | 0.00% |
Average elementary school counselor salary over time
Elementary school counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $34,984 | $16.82 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | $34,334 | $16.51 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $33,894 | $16.30 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $33,352 | $16.03 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $32,841 | $15.79 | +1.7% |
Elementary school counselor jobs by state
Most common states for elementary school counselors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 196 | 28% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,835 | 27% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 227 | 22% |
| 4 | Alaska | 739,795 | 164 | 22% |
| 5 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 260 | 19% |
| 6 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 659 | 18% |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 248 | 18% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,009 | 17% |
| 9 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 950 | 17% |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 182 | 17% |
| 11 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 610 | 15% |
| 12 | Delaware | 961,939 | 146 | 15% |
| 13 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,843 | 14% |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,775 | 14% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,217 | 14% |
| 16 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,053 | 14% |
| 17 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 785 | 14% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 917 | 13% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 245 | 13% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 79 | 13% |
Most common cities for elementary school counselors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lynn | 2 | 2% | $31,920 |
| 2 | Fall River | 1 | 1% | $33,203 |
| 3 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $31,849 |
| 4 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $33,206 |
| 5 | Seattle | 1 | 0% | $39,213 |
Elementary School Counselor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of elementary school counselor experts
Sonoma State University
Indiana Wesleyan University
Jackson State University
Adelphi University
Western Illinois University
Lewis University
Texas Woman's University
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
San Francisco State University
The George Washington University
George Fox University
University of Indianapolis
Columbia International University
Lancaster Bible College
Bluefield State College
University of the Virgin Islands
What general advice would you give to an Elementary School Counselor?
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.
What Elementary School Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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.
What will help Elementary School Counselors increase their earning potential?
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.
What general advice would you give to an Elementary School 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 Elementary School 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 Elementary School 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).
Jie Ke
Associate Professor of Human Resource DevelopmentJackson State University
Student Counseling And Personnel Services
What general advice would you give to an Elementary School Counselor?
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.
What Elementary School Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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.
What will help Elementary School Counselors increase their earning potential?
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.
Dr. Leonard Harsy
Assistant ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to an Elementary School Counselor?
Dr. Leonard Harsy: Here are some skills and knowledge that would be useful:
Excellent counseling skills
Knowledge of post-secondary admissions and financial aid information
Knowledge of working with undocumented students.
How to coach first-generation college bound students who now make up more that half of the 4-year college population
Second language skill
Data collection and interpretation skills
What will help Elementary School 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 Elementary School 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 Elementary School Counselors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jessica Lane Ph.D.: Every child deserves and needs supportive adults and student advocates, and school counselors serve in that capacity. The opportunity to help develop and support the whole student through academic, career, and social-emotional opportunities is very gratifying. A challenge of today's school counselors is the ability to have enough school counselors in schools and buildings to keep the number of students to school counselor ratio at an optimal level for student support and impact. Additionally, communicating to stakeholders how the role and training of school counselors has evolved to meet the needs of today's students is an important and necessary consideration for school counselors.
What will help Elementary School 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 general advice would you give to an Elementary School 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.
Lisa Brown
Assistant ProfessorLewis University
School Counseling Program
What skills stand out on Elementary School Counselor resumes?
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.
What soft skills should all Elementary School Counselors possess?
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.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Elementary School Counselors?
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.
What skills will help Elementary School Counselors earn the most?
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.
Gina Anderson
Associate Dean for Educator Preparation and PartnershipsTexas Woman's University
TWU College of Professional Education
What skills stand out on Elementary School Counselor resumes?
Gina Anderson: Skills that would stand out on resumes include evidence of the ability to work with children from diverse backgrounds (students with disabilities, second language learners, students from a variety of different ethnic backgrounds, religions, sexual/gender orientations, and family structures); evidence of ability to work with children who have experienced grief, trauma, loss, and mental illness; knowledge and skills regarding child development, learning strategies, classroom management, and socio-emotional learning.
What soft skills should all Elementary School Counselors possess?
Gina Anderson: Important soft skills include excellent communication skills, being collaborative, empathetic, and a good listener, being flexible and adaptable, respecting and appreciating cultural differences, being an advocate for students, being trustworthy, having the ability to build relationships.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Elementary School Counselors?
Gina Anderson: These would include proficiency with technology tools that enhance communication, instruction, and assessment, critical analysis and/or problem-solving skills, and data analysis skills.
What skills will help Elementary School Counselors earn the most?
Gina Anderson: Research skills may help school counselors earn more. Earning an advanced degree will result in additional knowledge and skills in conducting meaningful research. Texas requires school counselors to earn both a master's degree and counseling certification, but some school counselors may choose to pursue a doctoral degree as well. Finally, some school counseling programs, such as the one at Texas Woman's University, offer a school counseling track that leads to Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credentials. LPC credentials are not required to become a school counselor in Texas, but they will enable school counselors to engage in private practice and/or work as therapists, which could lead to increased earnings.
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, Master of CounselingLouisiana State University at Shreveport
Department Of Psychology
What hard/technical skills are most important for Elementary School 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.
Stephanie Sisk-Hilton Ph.D.
ProfessorSan Francisco State University
Department of Elementary Education
What's a good job out of college for Elementary School Counselors?
Stephanie Sisk-Hilton Ph.D.: The good news for recent graduates of teacher training programs is that the job market looks very strong in almost every area of education. In California, we have had a strong job market for teachers for several years due to our aging educator workforce. The pandemic and the challenges of teaching over the past year, coupled with strong returns for retirement funds, appears to be accelerating the wave of retirements. While it will be particularly challenging to be a new teacher in the coming years, new teachers will likely have abundant job opportunities to select from. Teaching is not the highest earning career path, and there is much work to be done to ensure fair wages commiserate with the level of education and skill required for educators, but it is a stable and highly rewarding job, which may be particularly appealing during these uncertain times.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Elementary School Counselors?
Stephanie Sisk-Hilton Ph.D.: While it's too early to determine exactly what the impacts of the pandemic will be for early career teachers, we certainly know that the first few years of teaching are going to look quite different for 2021 graduates than for their predecessors. Here in California, the vast majority of elementary schools are still completely or largely remote, and so next year's new teachers will be working with children who may have spent well over a year learning from home. In addition, the new teachers themselves have completed all or most of their teacher training, including student teaching, in a remote learning environment. So there is going to be a learning curve for everyone as we support children to return to large group instructional settings and new teachers to work in a setting in which they may have had limited opportunity to practice or even observe. I anticipate that in the 2021-22 school year, teachers will need to continue to focus extensively on social emotional learning as children continue to process the upheaval and loss that they have likely experienced throughout the pandemic. Consistent mentoring for new educators is always important, but in the coming years it will be absolutely critical for their long-term success.
What will help Elementary School Counselors increase their earning potential?
Stephanie Sisk-Hilton Ph.D.: Teachers in public schools are generally paid on a published salary schedule, and so the best ways to increase income are to earn a Master's degree and to gain experience. That said, there is very high demand for bilingual teachers, and I always encourage multilingual teacher candidates to pursue bilingual certification even if they aren't sure they will officially teach in a bilingual classroom. Our young students come to school with diverse language and cultural backgrounds, and teachers who are able to understand and build on these strengths are invaluable. I encourage all teachers to continue to study the languages that their future students may speak at home and to immerse themselves in getting to know and understand the communities in which they work. While this won't directly impact earning potential, it will certainly make new teachers more effective at their job and more likely to persist.
What type of skills will young Elementary School Counselors 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 Elementary School Counselor resumes?
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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Elementary School Counselors?
Dr. Jennie Harrop Ph.D.: I suspect there will be an enduring impact of the coronavirus on all of us, regardless of age or life stage. We have learned to plan tentatively, cherish our loved ones, and seek deeper purpose in much of what we do. It is difficult to complete an internship or seek employment when businesses are closed to the public, so many graduates are seeking new solutions for the time being, waiting until things reopen before fully launching a new career. COVID has slowed many professional paths, encouraging students to slow their coursework or professional trajectory as they observe the pandemic and culture around them. When businesses open more fully again, the impact of the virus will be notable, pressing graduates to innovate on their feet and problem solve without hesitation.
What type of skills will young Elementary School Counselors 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.
What experience really stands out on Elementary School 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 Elementary School 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 Elementary School 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.
What Elementary School Counselor 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 an Elementary School Counselor?
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.
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 Elementary School Counselor 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 Elementary School 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.
What general advice would you give to an Elementary School Counselor?
Melissa Boas: Listen, take initiative, and always take the time to better understand the historical perspective regarding how and why things are currently. There is always room for improvement, but being new requires a learning curve, and understanding the history will help to ensure the proper decisions are made regarding the future.
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 Elementary School Counselor 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 Elementary School Counselors?
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 Elementary School Counselors 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 Elementary School Counselor 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.