3 Things to Know When Preparing for a Career in Counseling

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Do you have a passion for helping people? Are you the one that everyone comes to for advice? If so, counseling might be the career for you.

Counseling is a rapidly growing field with many different branches. If you have considered earning a counseling degree to pursue a career in this field, here are some things you should know to help you be fully prepared.

Know Yourself and Your Patients

There are many different paths one can take when pursuing a career in counseling. Before getting into a program, it is important to first understand yourself and your strengths. Do you like working with children? Consider specializing in childhood and adolescence disorders.

If you feel that you can connect well with couples and families, take a look at marriage and family counseling. With these options and many more, you are sure to find the emphasis that is right for you.

Knowledge is Power

When considering a career in counseling, you also have to be prepared for graduate school. To obtain a counseling license, you must first earn a master’s degree in whichever type of counseling you choose.

Grand Canyon University’s masters in counseling programs meet the requirements for licensure, so you are sure to be on the right path when you graduate. In addition, these degrees can be earned online to provide you with convenience and flexibility.

Some professionals earn their doctorate degree, but it is not required to become a counselor. Typically, those who earn a PhD want to become expert researchers, educators, supervisors or consultants.

Know the Workforce

Since counseling is such a rapidly growing field, counselors are in high demand. What does this mean for you? It means that you will have a stable career path, which is very important in choosing the right career.

One of the benefits of counseling is that there are people all across the country and all over the world that are in need of counseling services. Therefore, you will have the freedom to live wherever you would like.

Ultimately, pursuing a career in counseling is very rewarding, as you help others to become their best selves.

Grand Canyon University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences strives to promote critical thinking with applied practice to help prepare you for today’s evolving workforce. To learn more, visit our website or contact us using the Request More Information button at the top of the page.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.

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