If you enjoy helping others, a counselor may be a good career choice. However, there is a lot to consider before becoming a counselor, and there are many subspecialties. This article shows you how to enter a career as a social worker, tutor, career counselor, or drug counselor.
Step
Method 1 of 6: Knowing about a Counseling Career
Step 1. Read the information below and decide what type of counseling you are interested in
Different counselors require different schools and experiences. The most common counseling positions include: Social Worker, Counselor Teacher, Career Counselor, and Drug Counselor.
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There are two types social worker:
- A direct service social worker is a person who works directly to help others solve problems in everyday life. Direct service social workers typically work for organizations as part of a wider range of programs.
- Clinical social workers diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral problems. These people usually work in clinics or hospitals.
- Tutor provides academic, career, college readiness, and personal/social advice to children and youth. Supervising teachers usually work in elementary, junior high and high schools, serving students from kindergarten to grade 12.
- Marriage or family counselor helping people improve relationships with partners and between family members. The counselor usually has a master's degree in this specialization, as well as additional education for licensure.
- Career or vocational counselor work with clients to help them prepare for a career. Career counselors help clients identify unique interests, strengths and talents, and use them to help them find the best career paths. Career counselors can work at universities to support faculty development, for large corporations, or open a private counseling practice.
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Drug abuse counselor help patients identify the underlying cause of their dependence. Drug abuse counselors are usually responsible for following the patient through comprehensive treatment. This is arguably one of the most challenging career choices for mental health counselors, as drug dependence often includes a wide variety of other mental health disorders. Drug counselors generally work in shelters for drug dependence sufferers, homeless shelters, hospitals, prisons/penal institutions, and drug/alcohol addiction treatment centers.
Some states require, and many organizations prefer, that you are a former addict yourself
Step 2. Arrange for an interview with a counselor
Conduct interviews with one or more counselors in your area of interest. The best way to decide if a career is right for you is to interview people who are already in that career. Contact your local school, clinic or rehabilitation center (where the counselor works) and express your interest in becoming a counselor. Ask if you can meet their counselor for an informational interview. Not everyone will accept it, but you should be able to find someone who enjoys talking about their career.
Step 3. Prepare for an informative interview
It is important that you be well prepared when interviewing people about their work. Remember that this person is helping you, so value their time.
- Pay attention to their time, schedule a meeting in an area near them, and at a time that is convenient for them. A common place to meet is a coffee shop, but the counselor may also prefer to meet in the office during weekdays.
- Give a symbol of gratitude. If you meet at a coffee shop or restaurant, make sure you pay the bill. If you meet at the office, consider bringing a small gift, such as a $100 gift card for coffee or a movie.
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Prepare questions well in advance. Again, you don't want to waste their time, so prepare questions ahead of time, so you can make the most of your interview time. Common questions you can ask are:
- What is your educational background?
- How did you decide to become a counselor?
- Is your education/career path typical?
- What is your favorite part of this job?
- What is the most challenging part of this job?
- What does the future hold for your career?
- How is the work/life balance?
- If you had to do it all over again, what would you do?
- Make sure you bring a pen and paper to write down all the important things that come out of the conversation.
- Professional. Don't underestimate the power of informative interviews. This interview may be nothing more than a one-time conversation, but you never know when you will make an ally or friend in this area. Therefore, make and treat the informative interview like the real thing. Wear appropriate clothing, maintain a safe humor and a professional demeanor.
- Bring a business card in exchange for the business card of the counselor you interviewed.
- Update your LinkedIn account and clean your Facebook page. Being professional doesn't end with the interview. Take good care of your professional presence. It is common for employers to search for the names of prospective employees on Google.
Method 2 of 6: Becoming a Social Worker
Step 1. Identify the education you need to get
If after interviewing a social worker you still want to be a social worker, now is the time to decide on your education. Social workers need a bachelor's degree in social welfare. In addition, many direct-service social workers and most clinical social workers require a master's degree in social welfare or a related field.
- Look for universities that have majors in social welfare. Once you have identified the master's program you are going to enter, find out what the requirements are and then apply.
- Depending on your current level of education, you may have to return and get a bachelor's degree, or return to baccalaureate level and take the prerequisites needed to enter your desired master's program.
Step 2. Complete your undergraduate education
Most social workers choose a bachelor's degree program in social welfare. The degree is usually included in the required prerequisites for a master's education in social welfare, but it is important to double check.
You may also decide to get a bachelor's degree in another field, such as psychology or sociology, but make sure you have the prerequisites for the master's program you want
Step 3. Complete your master's education
Clinical social workers must have a master's degree, usually in social welfare.
Step 4. Internship
Before you can become a licensed clinical social worker, you must complete 2 years or 3,000 hours of supervised internship experience.
Step 5. Confirmed
To obtain a certification or permit please consult the Social Service.
Method 3 of 6: Becoming a Guiding Teacher
Step 1. Identify the education you need to get
If after interviewing a tutor you still want to be a tutor, now is the time to decide on an education. Usually supervising teachers require a master's degree in education or a related field.
- Find information on universities that have education majors. Once you have identified the master's program you are going to enter, find out what the requirements are and then apply.
- Depending on your current level of education, you may have to go back and get a bachelor's degree, or go back to baccalaureate level and take the prerequisites needed to enter the master's program you want.
Step 2. Complete your undergraduate education
Most tutors choose a bachelor's degree program in psychology. The degree is usually included in the prerequisites required for a masters of counseling education, but it is important to double check.
You can also decide to get a bachelor's degree in another field, but make sure you have the prerequisites for the master's program you want
Step 3. Complete your master's education
Counselors must have a master's degree in counseling. However the concentration of school guidance or career guidance will differ depending on the field of choice and what the school has to offer.
Step 4. Internship
After completing formal education, most supervising teachers also have to complete a 600-hour internship in elementary, junior high or high school to be competitive. Usually, your master's school will provide the connections needed to gain this experience. But sometimes you have to be proactive.
Step 5. Confirmed
To obtain certification or permits please consult the Education Office.
Method 4 of 6: Becoming a Career Counselor
Step 1. Identify the education you need to get
If, after interviewing a career counselor, you still want to be like them, it's time to decide on an education. Usually career counselors have a master's degree in education or a related field.
- Find information on universities that have education majors. Once you have identified the master's program you are going to enter, find out what the requirements are and then apply.
- Depending on your current level of education, you may have to go back and get a bachelor's degree first, or go back to baccalaureate level and take the prerequisites needed to enter your desired master's program.
Step 2. Complete your undergraduate education
Most people who become counselors choose a bachelor's degree in psychology. The degree is usually included in the prerequisites required for a masters of counseling education, but it is important to double check.
You can also decide to get a bachelor's degree in another field, but make sure you have the prerequisites for the desired master's program
Step 3. Complete your master's education
If you want to become a career counselor, you must complete a master's program. Career counselors typically take a master's degree in counseling, with a concentration in vocational or adult counseling.
Step 4. Confirmed
This may or may not be a must, depending on the job you are looking for. But getting certified is a good option.
Method 5 of 6: Become a Drug Abuse Counselor
Step 1. Identify the education you need to get
If, after interviewing a drug abuse counselor, you still want to be like them, it's time to decide on an education. Usually drug abuse counselors need a master's degree in counseling or a related field.
- Find information about universities that have counseling majors. Once you have identified the master's program you are going to enter, find out what the requirements are and then apply.
- Depending on your current level of education, you may have to go back and get a bachelor's degree first, or go back to baccalaureate level and take the prerequisites needed to enter your desired master's program.
Step 2. Complete your undergraduate education
Most people who become counselors choose a bachelor's degree in psychology. The degree is usually included in the prerequisites required for a masters of counseling education, but it is important to double check.
- After completing your degree, because of the demand for drug counsellors, you can start working in social services or as a counselor assistant.
- You can also decide to get a bachelor's degree in another field, but make sure you have the prerequisites for the desired master's program, if that's your choice.
Step 3. Complete your master's education
If you want to become a licensed drug abuse counselor, you must earn a master's degree. Counselors typically pursue a master's degree in counselling, with a concentration on substance abuse.
Step 4. Apply for an internship
After completing formal education, many drug abuse counselors must also complete a 1-2 year internship in a hospital or mental health clinic to become competitive. Usually, your master's school will provide the connections needed to gain this experience. But sometimes you have to be proactive.
Step 5. Confirmed
This may or may not be a must, depending on the job you are looking for. But getting certified is a good option.
