Not everyone who works in the education field has to be a teacher – there are many careers for those wishing to help students learn without standing at the front of a classroom every day. School counselors help students choose their educational paths and work towards college and career readiness, as well as working with the students on various wellness and social programs throughout their school careers. They also have the advantage of working with all the students in a school or grade, not just a few classrooms of students. This is a positive for those who like to be able to work with a lot of varied people and situations throughout their workweek.
The job duties for a school can vary significantly depending on what age range they work with, though the main focus is always on helping the students grow. Elementary school counselors focus on teaching social skills and work with the students on how to interact with others in groups. Counselors also often work with students with learning disabilities or special needs to ensure they have the support they need in order to keep up with their classmates. High school counselors tend to focus on the transition to college or the workforce and helping the students become successful young adults. They may assist in college applications and planning, and can often help a student find an apprenticeship program.
A school counselor’s median salary is $53,600 per year, according to U.S. News and World Report. Because of their training – most school counselors have at least a bachelor’s degree, and many have a master’s – and the demand for at least one counselor per school, they have a lower than average unemployment rate. This is a positive trend for education lovers looking for stability for their career.
The positive outlook for school counselors will continue for the foreseeable future in Houston. As more and more people move to the area, current schools are growing and even more new schools being built, all of which will need to have school counselors who assist in developing activities and curriculum. In Texas, school counselors are also very involved in distributing the STAAR test, the state’s standardized testing system, and as long as that is in place, school counselors will be needed to help manage the test administration.
Gillian Kruse is a freelance writer living in Houston. She graduated from Rice University with a great love for all performing and visual arts. She enjoys writing about arts and cultural events, especially little-known ones, to help Houstonians learn about what’s going on in their city. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.