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What does a vocational counselor do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Lisa Wallace

People who have issues with getting employment or have certain disabilities require the help of a vocational counselor. This individual provides counseling, provides job plans for patients, and assists patients in achieving their employment goals so they can earn the income needed to live comfortably. They may be expected to help clients understand what they are capable of and using this, help develop their career goals. They provide the link between clients who are seeking employment and employers.

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Vocational counselor responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real vocational counselor resumes:

  • Manage all program operation in accordance with HRA and industry regulations, agency policies, and HIPPA guidelines.
  • Direct vocational rehabilitation services to developmentally disable individuals.
  • Conduct eligibility determination process for applicants seeking vocational rehabilitation services.
  • Identify clients' transferable skills and aptitudes.
  • Help disabled veterans excel beyond their own expectations.
  • Convene individual participants to discuss and review DVE, IPE, and EP's.
  • Conduct intakes, determine eligibility, assist in IPE, and assist in finding employment.
  • Partner with local veterans organizations to brief veterans on benefits that are possible from the state.
  • Provide group and individual counseling to patients receiving medication assist therapy through comprehensive recovery-orient and trauma inform treatment planning and implementation.
  • Develop, and monitor IEP goals to improve overall quality of life for person with disabilities.
  • Generate goal and objectives for transition and vocational IEP goals in coordination with state standards and personal needs of students.
  • Collaborate with NE DDS, state service providers and team members to ensure appropriate funding and person centered services.
  • Conduct vocational counseling / testing, career planning, and job readiness skills training.
  • Verify eligibility of patients for clinical trials, assures adherence to protocol treatments and assess for adverse events in study patients.
  • Create and monitor individualized plans of care for each client to ensure the care plan meet the specifications of DHS guidelines.

Vocational counselor skills and personality traits

We calculated that 20% of Vocational Counselors are proficient in Rehabilitation, Social Work, and Mental Health. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Speaking skills, and Listening skills.

We break down the percentage of Vocational Counselors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Rehabilitation, 20%

    Conducted eligibility determination process for applicants seeking vocational rehabilitation services.

  • Social Work, 12%

    Served on the Board of Directors for VUU School of Social Work Program and Gospel Baptist Church Child Care Center.

  • Mental Health, 7%

    Provided residential support services to individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health and substance abuse issues.

  • Community Resources, 7%

    Provided community resources to assist in optimal support for individual cases.

  • Substance Abuse, 6%

    Provided individual vocational counseling to clients in recovery from substance abuse.

  • Vocational Assessments, 5%

    Coordinated testing and ancillary services as necessary to identify strengths and weaknesses, intelligence and personality issues, and vocational assessments.

Common skills that a vocational counselor uses to do their job include "rehabilitation," "social work," and "mental health." You can find details on the most important vocational counselor responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a vocational counselor to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "school and career counselors and advisors interpret student records, schoolwide data, and assessments to match interests and abilities with potential careers. ." Additionally, a vocational counselor resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "documented/entered/submitted clients' progress with obtaining competitive employment in a timely manner in computer database system"

Speaking skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling vocational counselor duties is speaking skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "school and career counselors and advisors must communicate effectively with clients and students." According to a vocational counselor resume, here's how vocational counselors can utilize speaking skills in their job responsibilities: "represented insurance interests at state rehabilitation unit hearings. "

Listening skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of vocational counselors is listening skills. This skill is critical to many everyday vocational counselor duties, as "school and career counselors and advisors need to give full attention to students and clients in order to understand their problems." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "communicated with other health providers and community resources to assist clients. "

Compassion. A big part of what vocational counselors do relies on "compassion." You can see how essential it is to vocational counselor responsibilities because "school and career counselors and advisors often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations, so they must be able to empathize with their clients and students." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical vocational counselor tasks: "provide at-risk youth with therapeutic and compassionate services. "

Interpersonal skills. Another common skill required for vocational counselor responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." This skill comes up in the duties of vocational counselors all the time, as "school and career counselors and advisors must be able to work with people of all backgrounds and personalities." An excerpt from a real vocational counselor resume shows how this skill is central to what a vocational counselor does: "established and maintained interpersonal relationships with youths. "

Most common vocational counselor skills

The three companies that hire the most vocational counselors are:

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Compare different vocational counselors

Vocational counselor vs. Counselor internship

When it comes to Counselor Internship, among the primary responsibilities is to assist in dealing with various activities such as preparing and verifying necessary documentation, observing consultations and outreach programs, guide clients and help develop multiple helpful strategies, and provide assessments. Furthermore, one can conduct counseling and consultation only under supervision. It is also essential to track the information gathered and coordinate with assigned personnel to adhere to the company's regulations and policies.

The annual salary of counselor interns is $6,365 higher than the average salary of vocational counselors.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between vocational counselors and counselor interns are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like community resources, mental illness, and crisis intervention.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a vocational counselor are more likely to require skills like "rehabilitation," "social work," "mental health," and "substance abuse." On the other hand, a job as a counselor internship requires skills like "intake assessments," "substance abuse issues," "mental health issues," and "group therapy sessions." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Counselor interns earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $51,629. On the other hand, vocational counselors are paid more in the education industry with an average salary of $43,530.The education levels that counselor interns earn slightly differ from vocational counselors. In particular, counselor interns are 4.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a vocational counselor. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Vocational counselor vs. Student services counselor

Student Services is a part of the school program that focuses on helping students in their studies. A Student Services Counselor handles this task and is the contact person for all students who need help or who have problems and issues requiring solutions and answers. In a culturally diverse population in schools, it is the student service counselor's job to connect each student to relevant student service programs available in the school. Ultimately, the welfare of the students and their success in school is the goal of this position.

Student services counselor positions earn higher pay than vocational counselor roles. They earn a $2,040 higher salary than vocational counselors per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Vocational counselors and student services counselors both require similar skills like "rehabilitation," "social work," and "mental health" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that vocational counselor responsibilities requires skills like "substance abuse," "vocational assessments," "vocational rehabilitation," and "mental illness." But a student services counselor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "financial aid," "student services," and "student accounts."

Student services counselors may earn a higher salary than vocational counselors, but student services counselors earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $45,469. On the other hand, vocational counselors receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $43,530.In general, student services counselors achieve lower levels of education than vocational counselors. They're 11.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for vocational counselors in the next 3-5 years?

Lisa WallaceLisa Wallace LinkedIn profile

Director of Career Services, Rocky Mountain College

Tricky, since I'm not sure what field you mean. I have chatted with, of all people, the Director of our Aviation program (such a hands-on area, not a lot of virtual, work-from-home options for commercial pilots!), about helping his students think about their virtual presentation skills - paying attention to the lighting, sound quality, the background, what posters are on the wall, making sure roommates don't barge in, etc. - with an increase in online education, whether we, as a college, want to deliver training that way or not, there will be an increase in virtual interviews - it was already going that way - so students and job seekers need to be prepared.

Vocational counselor vs. Substance abuse counselor

Substance abuse counselors act as a support system for people with drug and alcohol problems and other behavioral issues. They help the patients control their behavior until they achieve a full recovery. The mental health counselors aid patients to overcome their chemical dependencies and become self-sufficient individuals. Part of their duty includes meeting clients to evaluate their health and substance issues while creating goals and treatment plans. They teach clients coping mechanisms, refer them to support groups, and engage them in group therapy sessions. Once the patient is stable, they help them re-establish their careers and give updates and reports of progress to the courts. Requirements for the job include a master's degree in counseling and social work.

On average, substance abuse counselors earn higher salaries than vocational counselors, with a $3,934 difference per year.By looking over several vocational counselors and substance abuse counselors resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "rehabilitation," "social work," and "community resources." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, vocational counselors are more likely to have skills like "mental health," "substance abuse," "vocational assessments," and "vocational rehabilitation." But a substance abuse counselor is more likely to have skills like "patients," "substance abuse treatment," "intake assessments," and "excellent interpersonal."

Substance abuse counselors make a very good living in the non profits industry with an average annual salary of $41,273. On the other hand, vocational counselors are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $43,530.Most substance abuse counselors achieve a similar degree level compared to vocational counselors. For example, they're 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Vocational counselor vs. Student support counselor

A student support counselor is responsible for identifying the students' strengths and challenges through one-on-one counseling and establishing solutions to help them overcome difficulties and achieve their educational goals and aspirations. Student support counselors assist the faculty in determining appropriate programs and activities to develop the students' capabilities, especially as a way of preparing them with their career objectives. They also coordinate with the students' families for extended guidance and support for their growth and development.

Student support counselors tend to earn a higher pay than vocational counselors by an average of $2,194 per year.According to resumes from vocational counselors and student support counselors, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "mental health," "community resources," and "substance abuse. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A vocational counselor uses "rehabilitation," "social work," "vocational assessments," and "vocational rehabilitation." Student support counselors are more likely to have duties that require skills in "student support," "professional development," "behavioral issues," and "financial aid. "student support counselors enjoy the best pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $44,149. For comparison, vocational counselors earn the highest salary in the education industry.student support counselors reach lower levels of education compared to vocational counselors, in general. The difference is that they're 10.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of vocational counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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