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Job outlook for vocational counselors in the United States
Vocational counselor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected vocational counselor job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 32,400 new jobs for vocational counselors are projected over the next decade.
Vocational counselor salaries have increased 7% for vocational counselors in the last 5 years.
There are over 22,308 vocational counselors currently employed in the United States.
There are 77,189 active vocational counselor job openings in the US.
The average vocational counselor salary is $39,135.
Are vocational counselor jobs in demand?
Vocational counselor job and salary trends over time
Vocational counselor jobs over time
Vocational counselor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 22,308 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 24,384 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 26,298 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 25,720 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 24,930 | 0.01% |
Average vocational counselor salary over time
Vocational counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $39,135 | $18.81 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | $38,408 | $18.47 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $37,916 | $18.23 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $37,310 | $17.94 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $36,738 | $17.66 | +1.7% |
Vocational counselor jobs by state
Most common states for vocational counselors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,152 | 31% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 152 | 22% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 137 | 19% |
| 4 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 238 | 18% |
| 5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 143 | 14% |
| 6 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 943 | 13% |
| 7 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 451 | 13% |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,533 | 12% |
| 9 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 675 | 12% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 485 | 12% |
| 11 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 668 | 11% |
| 12 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 597 | 11% |
| 13 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 223 | 11% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 207 | 11% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 114 | 11% |
| 16 | Delaware | 961,939 | 109 | 11% |
| 17 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 82 | 11% |
| 18 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 928 | 10% |
| 19 | Vermont | 623,657 | 64 | 10% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 60 | 10% |
Most common cities for vocational counselors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sarasota | 2 | 4% | $34,562 |
| 2 | Winchester | 1 | 4% | $38,155 |
| 3 | Texarkana | 1 | 3% | $37,542 |
| 4 | Winter Park | 1 | 3% | $34,415 |
| 5 | Columbus | 1 | 2% | $33,615 |
| 6 | Elkhart | 1 | 2% | $35,101 |
| 7 | North Little Rock | 1 | 2% | $37,365 |
| 8 | Orlando | 2 | 1% | $34,427 |
| 9 | Fort Lauderdale | 1 | 1% | $34,600 |
| 10 | Largo | 1 | 1% | $34,500 |
| 11 | Shreveport | 1 | 1% | $35,612 |
| 12 | West Palm Beach | 1 | 1% | $34,542 |
| 13 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $33,799 |
| 14 | Jacksonville | 1 | 0% | $34,271 |
| 15 | Miami | 1 | 0% | $34,626 |
| 16 | Tampa | 1 | 0% | $34,487 |
Vocational Counselor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of vocational counselor experts
Western Illinois University
SUNY College at Oswego
Lewis University
St. John Fisher College
Penn State College of Medicine
Boston College
Monmouth University
Augustana University
Southern Methodist University
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Rutgers School of Public Health
Muhlenberg College
University of Arkansas
Colorado State University
Emory University School of Law
Ohio State University
Florida International University
Point Loma Nazarene University
University of Utah
What general advice would you give to a Vocational Counselor?
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.
What Vocational Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Vanessa Alleyne: Two of the most heavily sought out areas of expertise in the field today are trauma and substance use disorders. If you have taken courses in these areas as a grad student, bravo for you! The aftermath of the pandemic has left us in tremendous need of caring, coping strategies for trauma, as well as more evidence based, compassionate care for substance use disorders. The old tough love strategies aren't really effective in today's complex world. Sometimes students will say that they don't want to work with substance abuse, but it's shortsighted to think that you won't, even in a private practice. Many, if not most people seeking help are impacted by substances, either via someone they know or someone in the family. The emergence of legalized sports betting has also begun a new level of problematic gambling that will require a good skill set. Group work for these and other disorders will increase, so the ability to work well in groups will be in high demand. Additionally, we are at the early stages of successful use of psychedelic medicines for a range of mental health disorders. Learning about these possibilities will be important in terms of making appropriate referrals to psychedelic providers. Finally, I will mention a typically unmentionable or perhaps forgotten area that we need better skills in now more than ever. End of life counseling needs are rising as our elderly population in the US soars. We need to be able to support clients and their families through the processes and anxieties that come with these highly difficult experiences. I am beginning a summer course at MSU now in End of Life Counseling as an elective, and the class is FULL. Many of us want and need to explore this final stage of the lifespan, both professionally and personally, in order to be of maximal assistance to others.
Dr. Tiffany Bainter PhD LCPC NCC
Associate ProfessorWestern Illinois University
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
What general advice would you give to a Vocational Counselor?
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.
What Vocational Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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.
What will help Vocational Counselors increase their earning potential?
Jodi Mullen PhD LMHC RPT-S: There are so many opportunities for mental health counselors entering the field. The need for our services is at an all time high. Recently, there has been a great deal of focus on self-care for professional counselors to ward off compassion fatigue. There is much more being offered for counselor self-care than when I entered the field three decades ago.
Lisa Brown
Assistant ProfessorLewis University
School Counseling Program
What soft skills should all Vocational 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 Vocational 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 Vocational 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.
John Kiweewa Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorSt. John Fisher College
Wegmans School of Nursing
What soft skills should all Vocational Counselors possess?
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.
Martha Peaslee Levine M.D.
Medical Director of the PHP and IOP, Director of the Office of Professional Mental HealthPenn State College of Medicine
Adolescent Medicine, Psychiatry
What soft skills should all Vocational Counselors possess?
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.
Treniece Lewis Harris Ph.D.
Associate Professor of the Practice, Program Director, Master's Program in Mental Health CounselingBoston College
Department of Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology
What soft skills should all Vocational Counselors possess?
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
What skills stand out on Vocational Counselor resumes?
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.
Dr. Benjamin Jeppsen
Associate ProfessorAugustana University
Psychology Department
What skills stand out on Vocational Counselor resumes?
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.
What soft skills should all Vocational Counselors possess?
Dr. Benjamin Jeppsen: Cultural awareness, knowledge, and skills are important, including openness to work with people with varying religious views. The ability to easily connect with others and put people at ease in your presence is valuable in working with clients and collaborating with a treatment team. As more and more agencies interact with the medical field, spiritual leaders, and other holistic approaches to health, counselors need to see their role in an interdisciplinary approach to healing and work effectively with other departments. With teletherapy/virtual therapy, just the simple difficulty of creating eye contact when one's camera is not directly aligned with their viewscreen can complicate important connections in the therapeutic relationship. Learning to effectively connect through screens is essential.
What skills will help Vocational Counselors earn the most?
Dr. Benjamin Jeppsen: It depends on the population they want to work with and the clinical setting they are comfortable in. But one thing that I wish I had learned more about was how to run a health service business. Though this won't be an eye-catcher on your resume when applying for counselor positions, if you want to work at a private practice (even if you won't be the owner), an understanding of basic business principles--especially how to work with insurance companies--will help you earn more money. I worked in private practice for a little over a year. I was very frustrated about differing reimbursement processes from one insurance company to the next. Sometimes it was 6 months before I was paid for sessions I completed with clients due to difficult insurance policies. Suppose you're not comfortable contacting your clients directly to collect co-insurance, copayments, etc. In that case, private practice may not be for you. I ended up doing quite a bit of unintended pro-bono work because the insurance company refused payment (due to unmet deductibles, or the client had used all of their "approved" sessions) because I was uncomfortable going to collections with clients who couldn't pay and were unaware of their insurance limits before starting. So in terms of earning potential, learn about how third-party payer systems work, and develop a good prior authorization protocol with documentation of exactly what services you can provide that will get you paid. Then, if your business is healthy enough, hire someone else to do the job of collecting payments, working with insurance companies, and contacting clients who owe to avoid those ruptures and complications in the therapeutic relationship.
John Potter
Clinical Associate ProfessorSouthern Methodist University
Department of Dispute Resolution and Counseling
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Vocational Counselors?
John Potter: Indeed. Current students have experienced multiple ways of learning, which they would not necessarily experience otherwise. And this provides more skills and a broader understanding of the modalities to use to help others in the future.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Vocational Counselors to find work opportunities?
John Potter: Anywhere. Let me unpack that word, though. Many of our graduates are in the workplace and study dispute resolution and conflict management to expand their opportunities with the skills they learn. So, wherever the work will be is where they will excel, or perhaps move on to another growth opportunity in another workplace elsewhere. Other students seek the degree and the skills that come with it to create a new opportunity in an environment that does not have a core dispute resolution and conflict management already in place. So, anywhere there is conflict, our graduates can excel.
How do you envision technology impacting Vocational Counselors in the next 5 years?
John Potter: Faster. Disputes and conflicts will escalate more rapidly because of the speed of information. And, information can be gathered more quickly to help disputants engage more constructively and sooner. So, people who work in this field need to think faster and act quickly, and those needs will only increase with time and technology.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Vocational Counselors in the next 3-5 years?
Pamela Garcia-Rivera: I think the technology that will become more important and prevalent and needs improvement is video conferencing/meetings, the ability to connect virtually, and employees being well-versed in various technologies to edit, photograph, and produce their work. The technology will need to be mobile and very user friendly.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Vocational Counselors in the next 5 years?
Pamela Garcia-Rivera: I surely don't think there will be a decrease in demand for graduates, but the field of journalism has been evolving and changing and will continue to do so. There is a strong need for journalists, especially journalists who represent this country and are from diverse backgrounds, who can better share the stories and report on everyone's issues.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Vocational Counselor job market given the pandemic?
Pamela Garcia-Rivera: Some of the trends that seem to be growing are the ability to work remotely, connect with people that we may not have been able to communicate with in-person (and do so virtually), and flexibility in one's work schedule. The pandemic has led to innovative ways of performing one's job function by using various technology forms and being more self-reliant. It also provides organizations an opportunity to think of ways of saving overhead costs - and operating at a lower budget. Freelance opportunities also seem to be growing as organizations' budgets may have been reduced, and hiring employees full-time may not be feasible.
Claire Brown
Assistant Director of Student Support Services and Head of Career ServicesRutgers School of Public Health
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Vocational Counselors?
Claire Brown: Yes, in a myriad of ways. The most significant impact we see right now is employment opportunities and work availability across the board, but even as we inch back towards economic recovery, there are going to be long-lasting impacts in our day-to-day working lives. Norms and expectations around productivity, workplace social support and connection, work-life balance, family and sick leave, and occupational health and safety have and will continue to require transformational change, and this has important implications for personal and public health.
How do you envision technology impacting Vocational Counselors in the next 5 years?
Claire Brown: As the COVID-19 pandemic has created a demand for innovative, effective, and secure technology-driven methods of conducting contact tracing, communicating health risks to the public, and staying in touch with each other personally and professionally, I think that we'll see a greater emphasis on how public health shapes technology and how technology shapes public health. The general public's awareness of and investment in the scope of public health has also increased, and with that, I think public health data visualization, integrity, accessibility, and transparency-all of which depend heavily on good technology-will become a professional priority for many working in the public health field.
Erika Bagley Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorMuhlenberg College
Department of Developmental Psychology
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Vocational Counselors to find work opportunities?
Erika Bagley Ph.D.: The pandemic has really led to a boom in online therapy, teaching, and recreation. So, where a job opportunity is located may be wherever graduates find themselves. Moving to a particular city or geographic area for career opportunities is likely not going to be as important as having skills to facilitate remote interactions. Even if an effective vaccine comes through, there are many people who have found that receiving services and learning online to be a better fit for them, so I don't see the need for this skill set going away in the future.
How do you envision technology impacting Vocational Counselors in the next 5 years?
Terri Dill Chadick: Zoom is here to stay. As a result, graduates are not limited by the geographic boundaries that existed pre-pandemic. Remote legal internships are becoming more common, and I expect that trend to continue. We are also seeing an increase in video interviewing, which makes it easier for graduates to pursue opportunities outside their current location. Similarly, virtual job fairs are commonplace this year, and I expect they will be in the future. The move to virtual will follow graduates as they enter practice, as judges are expected to continue virtual court proceedings in situations where it makes sense, long after the pandemic ends.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Vocational Counselors?
Terri Dill Chadick: It's impossible to predict what the long-term impact of the pandemic will be, but I do not expect law graduates to be harder hit than other graduates.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Vocational Counselors to find work opportunities?
Terri Dill Chadick: The need for lawyers in rural areas is real. Many older attorneys, in smaller towns, are looking for a new graduate to join the firm and eventually take over their practice. If a graduate is drawn to a larger city, they should look for areas where economic growth is strong. Law is a business, and law firm growth often mirrors the economic growth of the surrounding area. Finally, areas where the graduate has existing connections, are always a good place to be. Attracting clients is easier for graduates who already have ties to a community.
Leanna Biddle
Career Education ManagerColorado State University
Career Center and Warner College of Natural Resources
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Vocational Counselors?
Leanna Biddle: Last March, with COVID-19 and the shift to virtual business and engagement, the economy was negatively impacted, shown by high unemployment rates and business closures. Though this was unforeseen for many, jobs in this field have started to recover. As a Career Education Manager, I have seen the following: employers actively attending and engaging in virtual career fairs, job opportunities available for graduates, and the advertisement of internship opportunities for current students, offered both in-person and virtually.
In the career world, the new word I use is pivoting, looking for different ways to stand out as a candidate. It may not be as simple as applying for opportunities - there are different strategies to consider: attending networking events offered at your institution and/or in the community, making connections with faculty and staff in the field, and leaning into engagement opportunities, whether that be nationwide with an organization, like the American Fisheries Society, or volunteering in your city.
We don't know what the lasting impact will be. The landscape is still changing by the day, with hiring fluctuations and changing employer needs. I do know that graduates are not alone in this process; many institutions offer career support for recent graduates and alum.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Vocational Counselors to find work opportunities?
Leanna Biddle: When thinking about places that may better suit our fisheries graduates, many factors come to mind: economic sector, job availability and interest, and the graduate's ability to relocate, if needed. As students prepare to graduate, many consider different economic sectors, including employment with federal, state, or local government, a nonprofit agency, or with privately-owned businesses. There are benefits of each, and job opportunities increase with the size of the organization; for example, the federal government offers a variety of jobs at various agencies, including US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Additionally, many Colorado State University (CSU) graduates find employment and gain experience in state, local, and nonprofit organizations, including the Bellvue-Watson Fish Hatchery and Trout Unlimited, a national organization.
As students prepare to graduate, I recommend the following: identifying places that interest the student while simultaneously considering the above; economic sector, job availability and interest, and ability to relocate. From there, specific search strategies can be implemented: identifying those organizations that interest the student, finding employment opportunities, and pivoting; looking for ways to connect with employers in the field, specifically in that location of interest.
How do you envision technology impacting Vocational Counselors in the next 5 years?
Leanna Biddle: Within the field of fisheries sciences and management, the use of technology has offered great advancements towards conservation efforts and the fishing industry. Technology has provided new information to managers, fishers, and consumers alike, and, when done in a sustainable manner, has improved fisheries management practices. Globally, the emerging technology within marine fisheries will be hugely useful as, for example, remote data sensors and satellite internet will enable fishing vessels to access real-time information on sea conditions, helping fishers locate fish anywhere on the planet. The development of technology will continue to aid in enforcement as well, offering the ability to quickly identify species of fish with DNA technology to help stop illegal fishing. This technology will undoubtedly impact recreational fishing as well, allowing anglers to learn more about the water they are fishing and where fish are. Ultimately, all fisheries worldwide will benefit from better data collection as smartphones are ever-present, and global internet coverage is continuing to expand.
As it relates to job opportunities, I foresee technical positions increasing with need, like Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the need for GIS Technicians across our nation. An increase in job opportunities includes academic preparedness for students at universities, with the recent addition of the GIS Minor at CSU, as an example. I encourage students to seek minors or certifications that focus on these technologies to diversify their skillset and knowledge for future employment.
Natasha Pate
Senior DirectorEmory University School of Law
Center for Professional Development & Career Strategy
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Vocational Counselors?
Natasha Pate: Members of the class of 2020 have seen jobs postponed and bar exams delayed, in addition to suffering the health impact of the pandemic personally and on their loved ones. Moreover, the manner in how legal services provided to clients has also changed during the pandemic, with courts holding virtual hearings and M&A deals closing over secured software platforms. Some of these changes could become the new standard for the industry because they reduce the cost of delivering legal services to clients. This could negatively impact some entry-level legal positions.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Vocational Counselors to find work opportunities?
Natasha Pate: The Bureau of Labor Statistics' ten-year national projection for the growth of legal jobs is 8%. (This is the ten years from 2014 to 2024). States that showed greater than national average increases include Texas, Florida, and Colorado.
How do you envision technology impacting Vocational Counselors in the next 5 years?
Natasha Pate: As clients are able to have their legal needs met successfully by virtual platforms, technology adoption and new platforms will continue to proliferate, lowering costs, and having a long-term impact on the legal hiring landscape.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Vocational Counselors?
Nikole Patson Ph.D.: When much of the country went into lockdown in April due to COVID, many students saw their research and service-learning projects, internships, and jobs end. As this pandemic has continued, many of these important experience-building opportunities have not come back.
Students are now finding it difficult to gain professionalizing experience. Furthermore, students often must work to fund their education. Because so many employers have cut down on their hours, students find it necessary to work during hours they would have dedicated to these professionalizing activities. All of this means that students will graduate with less experience than students who graduated before the pandemic.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Vocational Counselors?
Katherine Martin: This epidemic will impact everyone in the future in ways we are not clear about yet. However, even though the pandemic has greatly affected the hospitality industry throughout the latter part of spring and through the summer, many companies and sectors within the hospitality industry have been recovering well and seeing an increase in guest reservations for the fall and upcoming winter. With that, our upcoming graduates should be able to find more opportunities in the hospitality industry as well in non-traditional hospitality companies that are seeking our students' guest service, creative problem solving, and leadership skills and experiences.
How do you envision technology impacting Vocational Counselors in the next 5 years?
Max Butterfield Ph.D.: Technology is a tool. It will never replace human interaction, but it will continue to shape the way we relate to one another. My hope for technology is that we'll figure out how to use it to make society a better place for everyone. Too often, technology facilitates our worst tendencies. Social media, for instance, could be an amazing tool for good, but we're using it to sell ads to the highest bidder, to divide ourselves into increasingly isolated groups, and to spread misinformation like wildfire. It's a shame, and I hope we can do better soon!
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Vocational Counselors to find work opportunities?
Amanda Bakian: My impression is that the job market for graduates with a degree in statistics is still likely to be strong in 2020 - demand for quantitative skills remain high, and work can be done remotely. In an academic setting, individuals with this skill set are in short supply.