National

Counsel individuals and provide group educational and vocational guidance services.

Sample of reported job titles: Counselor, Guidance Counselor, School Counselor, Academic Advisor, Career Counselor, Career Services Director, College Counselor, Advisor, Academic Counselor, Career Center Director

Tasks

• Counsel students regarding educational issues such as course and program selection, class scheduling, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.
• Counsel individuals to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
• Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
• Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, other counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral, academic, and other problems.
• Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
• Identify cases involving domestic abuse or other family problems affecting students' development.
• Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine their priorities for their children and their resource needs.
• Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
• Encourage students or parents to seek additional assistance from mental health professionals when necessary.
• Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.

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Tools & Technology

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Technology used in this occupation: