The Director of counseling in a school or college is responsible for planning, implementing, and executing a successful student’s personal development and a psychological well-being program. The services may include group events, training, or individual assessment and consultation.
Education and Qualifications
In most states, a master’s degree in psychology or counseling is required to become a counselor. To work in public schools, state-level licensing is required. Some states call this certification or endorsement.
Responsibilities and a Day in the Life
A typical day starts 30 min before school starts and ends when school ends or maybe even an hour after school, which typically lasts for 8 to 9 hours and is five days a week. There is no travel involved except perhaps to attend conferences or off-site meetings.
Though daily responsibilities could vary based on the school type, experience, etc., some of the common ones are,
- Providing counseling leadership to the school and counseling team itself
- Meeting with school administration and other departments to develop and maintain counseling team policies and procedures that comply with state/federal requirements and the school’s mission.
- Providing individual counseling to kids in need.
- Educating students about social, behavioral, and leadership skills.
- Teaching students about bullying, drug abuse, and their negative impacts.
- Identifying poor performance indicators like low attendance, low academic grades, irrational behavior, etc., and taking steps to improve the student’s overall performance.
- Providing input to teachers and other school staff when needed.
- Managing employee grievances and complaints.
- Meeting with parents to discuss student progress or provide additional support resources.
- Documenting details as required.
- Hiring, supervising, and managing other counselors for the school.
Other Necessary Skills
- Compassion
- Analytical skills
- Listening skills
- Strong communication skills
Salary
According to BLS, the median salary is about $61K. But it can vary from $38K to $98K. In some schools, specifically private schools, it could be much higher. Pursuing a doctorate degree (instead of just a master’s) can also increase salary.
Job Growth
BLS does not track counselor/psychologist careers separately, but it provides data for school and career counselors and advisors. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about,
- 336K counselors in 2021
- The job outlook from 2021 to 2031 is 10% faster than the average job growth.
- Employment change 32K+ (2021 to 31)
Summary
If you are passionate about psychology and working with school kids, and you care about their personal development and psychological well-being, this career could be suitable for you. Professionals in this career specifically enjoy a great work-life balance and the ability to positively influence many lives.
