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What is a transition specialist and how to become one
The transition between school and work can be daunting for many students, which is why the role of a transition specialist exists to provide guidance during this challenging time. In essence, a transition specialist is an individual that helps students identify the right career path for themselves and directs them to resources that can help them start toward that path.
That said, the responsibilities of a transition specialist revolve around conducting interviews with students, referring them to applicable programs and services, and providing them with career advice. They also help students enroll in postsecondary schools, colleges, and universities, as well as assist them with financial aid applications.
To become a transition specialist, you would usually need to have a four-year degree in a relevant course, such as business, psychology, or education. Experience is also a plus, particularly when it comes to working with high school-aged children.
In terms of compensation, the average transition specialist makes $39,000 a year. If you want to pursue the highest-paid positions, you may want to look for opportunities in California, Washington, Alaska, and other high-paying states.
What general advice would you give to a transition specialist?
Dr. Rikki Gilmore-Byrd
Vice President of Professional Development and Education, National Organization for Human Services
It is impossible for a computer, even those that are built with artificial intelligence, to accurately support clients with empathy. Therefore, people will always be required to provide that support. Social and human service assistants provide client services in a variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work. This is a field that will continue to grow and emerge to support people in our communities. People are becoming more and more culturally diverse, which provides a need for more human services practitioners that are culturally diverse to support diverse clients. All types of new job opportunities are likely to emerge in the future.
Avg. Salary $42,506
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 12%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 1.89%
Asian 7.22%
Black or African American 12.08%
Hispanic or Latino 17.08%
Unknown 4.92%
White 56.81%
Genderfemale 70.25%
male 29.75%
Age - 43American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 43Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
Transition specialist career paths
Key steps to become a transition specialist
Explore transition specialist education requirements
Start to develop specific transition specialist skills
Skills Percentages Patients 15.32% Customer Service 11.10% Social Work 8.66% Rehabilitation 5.95% Community Resources 5.13% Complete relevant transition specialist training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New transition specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a transition specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real transition specialist resumes.Research transition specialist duties and responsibilities
- Manage incoming/outgoing referrals and some ICD-9 medical coding.
- Provide job site assessment and training in collaboration with vocational rehabilitation counselor for follow-up.
- Refer students to community resources for financial, medical, educational, and rehabilitation services.
- Complete daily progress notes in medical record per ISP and pertinent events.
Prepare your transition specialist resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your transition specialist resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a transition specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable transition specialist resume templates
Build a professional transition specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your transition specialist resume.
Apply for transition specialist jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a transition specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first transition specialist job
Dr. Susan Laskowski, PhD
Transition Specialist
I was a teacher for 40 years - both here and abroad. Some time along life's journey, I became a licensed Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor. When I returned from Asia, I accepted counsellor positiion at a State Agency here in the U.S. the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation . I left for a while, but somehow got "called back" to teaching, where I saw the need for me to return to teaching in a different capacity, It's a win/win situation for students and "society" in general. I am fortunate to hold a variery of certifications /licensures
Average transition specialist salary
The average transition specialist salary in the United States is $42,506 per year or $20 per hour. Transition specialist salaries range between $24,000 and $74,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do transition specialists rate their job?
Transition specialist reviews
Fulfilling, has a flexible schedule, and very team-oriented environment.
Updated January 8, 2025
