Career Specialist Job Description
A career specialist provides career counseling and, at times, academic counseling. You can find a career specialist working in schools or outside of academic institutions. If you love helping others, consider a career as a career specialist. A career specialist may also be known as a career counselor. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, career counselors are included in educational, vocational and school counselors.
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Roles
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According to the Princeton Review, a career counselor helps clients examine personal interests and styles, and provides guidance toward a profession. According to Collegeboard.com, a nonprofit that connects students with higher-education opportunities, a career counselor provides counseling to individuals or groups of people. He also gives psychological tests, such as the Myers-Briggs analogy test, that help people discover strengths and corresponding careers.
Education & Training
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According to the BLS, a master's degree is typically required to receive a license to practice. Aspiring counselors should research state and local requirements. According to the Princeton Review, career counselors have a master's degree in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, developmental psychology, educational psychology or sociology. Some counselors transfer from other careers, such as human resources management or social work. Others come from a different discipline, such as law or medicine, and specialize in counseling that's related to previous career paths.
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Salary
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According to the Princeton Review, a career counselor's average starting salary was $33,160, as of April 2010. The average salary after five years was $44,100. After 10 to 15 years, the average annual salary was $56,770.
Environment and Hours
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According to the Princeton Review, a career counselor works an average of 45 hours a week. A career counselor's major employers are Birkman & Associates Inc. and the International Survey Research LLC. According to the BLS, career counselors at educational institutions may work predominantly from an office. These counselors also give career workshops in classrooms.
Outlook
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According to the BLS' National Employment Matrix, employment for educational, vocational and school counselors is faster than average and is expected to increase at a rate of 14 percent through 2018.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit career caucasian image by Andrey Kiselev from Fotolia.com
