Occupation

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors

Human Advantage 80%

Strongly human-essential role

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.4 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.

Also Known As: Academic Advisor, Academic Counselor, Admissions Counselor, Adult School Counselor, Advisor, Articulation Officer, Assessment Specialist, Career Advisor +70 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
  2. Counsel students regarding educational issues, such as course and program selection, class scheduling and registration, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.
  3. Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
  4. Counsel individuals or groups to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
  5. Review transcripts to ensure that students meet graduation or college entrance requirements, and write letters of recommendation.
  6. Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
  7. Refer students to outside counseling services.
  8. Refer students to degree programs based on interests, aptitudes, or educational assessments.
  9. Evaluate students' or individuals' abilities, interests, and personality characteristics, using tests, records, interviews, or professional sources.
  10. Provide students with information on topics such as college degree programs and admission requirements, financial aid opportunities, trade and technical schools, and apprenticeship programs.
  11. Conduct follow-up interviews with counselees to determine if their needs have been met.
  12. Instruct individuals in career development techniques, such as job search and application strategies, resume writing, and interview skills.
  13. Assess needs for assistance, such as rehabilitation, financial aid, or additional vocational training, and refer clients to the appropriate services.
  14. Plan and promote career and employment-related programs and events, such as career planning presentations, work experience programs, job fairs, and career workshops.
  15. Attend meetings, educational conferences, and training workshops, and serve on committees.
  16. Teach classes and present self-help or information sessions on subjects related to education and career planning.
  17. Plan and conduct orientation programs and group conferences to promote the adjustment of individuals to new life experiences, such as starting college.
  18. Address community groups, faculty, and staff members to explain available counseling services.
  19. Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
  20. Provide information for teachers and staff members involved in helping students or graduates identify and pursue employment opportunities.
  21. Collaborate with teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of school programs and in the preparation of master schedules for curriculum offerings.
  22. Plan, direct, and participate in recruitment and enrollment activities.

Supplemental Tasks (13)

  1. Identify cases of domestic abuse or other family problems and encourage students or parents to seek additional assistance from mental health professionals.
  2. Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to discuss children's progress, resolve behavioral, academic, and other problems, and to determine priorities for students and their resource needs.
  3. Provide special services such as alcohol and drug prevention programs and classes that teach students to handle conflicts without resorting to violence.
  4. Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
  5. Establish and enforce administration policies and rules governing student behavior.
  6. Supervise, train, and direct professional staff and interns.
  7. Interview clients to obtain information about employment history, educational background, and career goals, and to identify barriers to employment.
  8. Compile and study occupational, educational, and economic information to assist counselees in determining and carrying out vocational and educational objectives.
  9. Establish contacts with employers to create internship and employment opportunities for students.
  10. Establish and supervise peer-counseling and peer-tutoring programs.
  11. Observe students during classroom and play activities to evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
  12. Refer qualified counselees to employers or employment services for job placement.
  13. Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.

Education & Training

Job Zone 5 Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
56%
Master's Degree
41%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
3%
Post-Master's Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master's degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level.
1%

Technology & Tools

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Software (78)

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  • College Central Network Career Services Central
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  • Computer-assisted career guidance software
  • Computer-assisted live supervision
  • Computerized diagnostic programs
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Tools & Equipment (14)

  • Audio recorders
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital video disk DVD players
  • Laptop computers
  • Liquid crystal display LCD projectors
  • Overhead display projectors
  • Personal computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
  • Photocopying equipment
  • Projection equipment
  • Video cassette recorders VCR
  • Video recorders
  • Videoconferencing equipment
  • Yahoo! Messenger

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Community & Social Services Education

Zone 5
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors You are here

Learner Support & Community Engagement Education

Zone 3
Zone 5
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors You are here

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