Now that you know what a career counselor is and what they do, you may be curious about how to become a career counselor. The first thing you should know is that different states have different requirements, so as you plan your path to your career, you will need to keep in mind the legal requirements for the state where you plan to work. All states require public school counselors to obtain a license or certification, and many states have similar credentialing requirements for career counselors who work in private practice.
All aspiring career counselors need at least a bachelor’s degree, and many need a master’s degree, depending on specific state requirements. After earning their degrees, aspiring career counselors may need to meet work experience requirements, often through an internship or supervised practicum experience. The final step is to apply for a state-mandated license or certification required for career counseling jobs.
Explore Educational Options for Becoming a Career Counselor
What kind of undergraduate degree do school and career counselors need? There is not a universally required major, but counselors generally earn a counseling or psychology degree. A Bachelor of Science in Psychology will serve you well in this career field, as you will learn the fundamentals of human thought patterns and how those thought patterns influence behavior.
While you are working toward your psychology degree, it is a good idea to get to know the staff in your university’s career services department because they are already doing the kind of work you are interested in. Make an appointment to speak with them about your career aspirations and their experiences in the field. You can solicit their advice by asking them how they landed their first job after graduation or what they wished they had known before entering the field.
During the course of your studies, you can also begin actively cultivating the essential skills and characteristics of effective career counselors. These professionals benefit from having the following skills and traits:
- Written and spoken communication skills
- Interpersonal relationship skills
- Active listening skills
- Compassion and empathy
- Analytical reasoning and problem-solving abilities
Advance Your Counseling Career With a Graduate Degree
As soon as you have completed your bachelor’s degree, you can begin working toward your master’s degree. Look for a master’s specifically designed for aspiring school or career counselors, such as a Master of Education (MEd) in School Counseling. This type of program will enable you to develop an in-depth understanding of what students and jobseekers are struggling with. It will also help you understand what obstacles they face on the path toward a meaningful and rewarding career.
Complete a Career Counseling Internship
Your graduate-level counseling education can be enhanced with a supervised internship experience. This internship enables you to gain real-world experience working with students or established professionals.
Your work will be overseen by a faculty member and a clinical site supervisor, who will offer guidance along the way and help you learn to become a more effective career counselor. Remember to carefully document your internship hours, as you may need a certain number of them to qualify for state licensure.
Complete Your State Licensure Requirements
Aspiring career counselors should become familiar with the licensing requirements for the state where they plan to practice. If you need to secure licensure, then you can expect to take an examination administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), such as the National Counselor Examination (NCE). The NCE is a 200-item multiple-choice test that evaluates your skills and knowledge in the counseling field. Upon successfully passing it, you will have National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification.3
Pursue Advanced Counseling Certifications
Although your state may not require advanced certification to practice as a career counselor, it will help to establish your professional reputation and enhance your qualifications. After you have passed your licensure exam, consider pursuing certification from the National Career Development Association (NCDA).
The NCDA offers several options for vocational counselors. For example, you may pursue the Certified Career Counselor (CCC) designation. Earning this certification establishes your commitment to professional excellence as a counselor.4
Other options include the following:
- Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP)
- Certified Master of Career Services (CMCS)
- Certified Clinical Supervisor of Career Counseling (CCSCC)
- Certified School Career Development Advisor (CSCDA)
- Certified Career Counselor Educator (CCCE)
