How to Become a High School Guidance Counselor

High school guidance counselors mentor thousands of students each year, helping them make important decisions about career choices and educational paths. They also are responsible for taking students through standardized testing and getting them signed up for college entrance exams.

Instructions

1. Get a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

2. Take education classes or consider getting a degree in secondary education with a concentration in counseling.

3. Spend time selecting classes in social studies, psychology and public speaking. Good communication skills are a must for guidance counselors.

4. Receive a counseling license if you plan to work in public schools.

5. Work toward a Master's Degree if the state where you wish to work requires it for high school counselors.

6. Visit the board of education website for the school system you're interested in and find their hiring guidelines for guidance counselors. Schedule an appointment for an interview. You will then have your application and résumé on file.

7. Apply for jobs in counseling as they become available on the job posting board. Check this board often, especially a few weeks into the school year when final placements are being made.

Tips & Warnings

• Guidance counseling can lead to a variety of other job possibilities. Counselors often spend time in the classroom as teachers, can go on to human resource jobs or become full time therapists or tutors.