Occupation Summary

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors

O*NET 21-1012.00

Description:

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

Annual Wages:
$60,686.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 17.33%.
Education Level:
Master's Degree. According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Public Service

  1. Counsel individuals to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
  2. Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
  3. Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
  4. Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
  5. Provide students with information on topics such as college degree programs and admission requirements, financial aid opportunities, trade and technical schools, and apprenticeship programs.
  6. Teach classes and present self-help or information sessions on subjects related to education and career planning.
  7. Conduct follow-up interviews with counselees to determine if their needs have been met.
  8. Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
  9. Plan and conduct orientation programs and group conferences to promote the adjustment of individuals to new life experiences, such as starting college.
  10. Assess needs for assistance, such as rehabilitation, financial aid, or additional vocational training, and refer clients to the appropriate services.
  11. Instruct individuals in career development techniques, such as job search and application strategies, resume writing, and interview skills.
  12. Address community groups, faculty, and staff members to explain available counseling services.
  13. Compile and study occupational, educational, and economic information to assist counselees in determining and carrying out vocational and educational objectives.
  14. Provide information for teachers and staff members involved in helping students or graduates identify and pursue employment opportunities.
  15. Review transcripts to ensure that students meet graduation or college entrance requirements, and write letters of recommendation.
  16. Refer students to degree programs based on interests, aptitudes, or educational assessments.
  17. Provide special services such as alcohol and drug prevention programs and classes that teach students to handle conflicts without resorting to violence.
  18. Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
  19. Interview clients to obtain information about employment history, educational background, and career goals, and to identify barriers to employment.
  20. Establish and supervise peer-counseling and peer-tutoring programs.
  21. Refer qualified counselees to employers or employment services for job placement.
  22. Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
  23. 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.
  24. Evaluate students' or individuals' abilities, interests, and personality characteristics, using tests, records, interviews, or professional sources.
  25. Identify cases of domestic abuse or other family problems and encourage students or parents to seek additional assistance from mental health professionals.
  26. Counsel students regarding educational issues, such as course and program selection, class scheduling and registration, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.
  27. Collaborate with teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of school programs and in the preparation of master schedules for curriculum offerings.
  28. Observe students during classroom and play activities to evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
  29. Attend meetings, educational conferences, and training workshops, and serve on committees.
  30. Plan and promote career and employment-related programs and events, such as career planning presentations, work experience programs, job fairs, and career workshops.
  31. Establish and enforce administration policies and rules governing student behavior.
  32. Establish contacts with employers to create internship and employment opportunities for students.
  33. Plan, direct, and participate in recruitment and enrollment activities.
  34. Supervise, train, and direct professional staff and interns.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors employed Annual Growth Rate
Elementary and secondary schools 44.6 0.76
Colleges, universities, and professional schools 27.3 1.88
Junior colleges 7.9 -0.40
Educational support services 2.9 2.19
Vocational rehabilitation services 2.6 0.12
Individual and family services 2 2.76


Labor Market Information


2022 Statewide average hourly wage $29.18
2022 National average hourly wage $30.87
2020 National employment 322,000
2020 Texas employment 26,081
Texas projected employment by 2030 30,602
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2030 3,053




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
97.00%
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
83.80%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
79.80%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
79.60%
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
69.80%
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
68.80%
Sociology and Anthropology
Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
67.60%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
58.40%
Philosophy and Theology
Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
55.00%
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
49.40%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
87.60%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
85.00%
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
85.00%
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
82.40%
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
82.40%
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
80.00%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
80.00%
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
77.60%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
77.60%
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
77.60%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
85.00%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
82.40%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
82.40%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
82.40%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
80.00%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
77.60%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
77.60%
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
77.60%
Fluency of Ideas
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
70.00%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
67.60%


  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
    -- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Assisting and Caring for Others
    -- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    -- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Other Activities


  • Achievement
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
  • Relationships
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.



Tools

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Digital camcorders or video cameras: Video recorders;

Digital video disk players or recorders: Digital video disk DVD players;

Digital voice recorders: Audio recorders;

Instant messaging platform: Yahoo! Messenger;

Liquid crystal display projector: Projection equipment; Liquid crystal display LCD projectors;

Notebook computers: Laptop computers;

Overhead projectors: Overhead display projectors;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers: Personal digital assistants PDA;

Photocopiers: Photocopying equipment;

Video cassette players or recorders: Video cassette recorders VCR;

Videoconferencing systems: Videoconferencing equipment;


Technology

Analytical or scientific software: ACT WorkKeys; Career Dimensions Focus 2; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epi Info; Computerized diagnostic programs; Computerized statistical packages; Computerized testing programs; Counseling software;

Cloud-based data access and sharing software: Google Drive; Microsoft SharePoint;

Computer based training software: Moodle; Padlet; Schoology; Common Curriculum;

Customer relationship management CRM software: Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge;

Data base reporting software: Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS;

Data base user interface and query software: Kuder Navigator; Microsoft Access; Social Solutions ETO; Student information systems SIS; Naviance Succeed; O*NET OnLine; Blackboard software; ACT Discover; Career Cruising; Career Zone; Career decision-making programs; Career management systems CMS; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC WONDER; Computer-assisted career guidance software; Coin Educational Products Climb K-5 Online; Coin Educational Products Coin Jr.; College Central Network Career Services Central; Database application software; Database software; FileMaker Pro; Zoomerang;

Desktop communications software: Bloomz;

Desktop publishing software: Microsoft Publisher;

Development environment software: Adobe Systems Adobe ActionScript;

Electronic mail software: Email software; Microsoft Outlook; Yahoo! Email;

Enterprise resource planning ERP software: Oracle PeopleSoft; Microsoft Dynamics;

Graphics or photo imaging software: SmugMug Flickr; Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop;

Human resources software: Oracle Taleo;

Information retrieval or search software: LexisNexis;

Instant messaging software: Instant messaging software; GroupMe;

Internet browser software: Microsoft Internet Explorer; Web browser software;

Medical software: Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS; Athena Software Penelope Case Management;

Mobile messaging service software: Intrado SchoolMessenger;

Network conferencing software: Chat software;

Network monitoring software: Computer-assisted live supervision;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint; Prezi; Blackboard Wimba;

Project management software: Google Classroom; Productivity software; Palm Pal Transana; Microsoft Project;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel; EZAnalyze;

Video conferencing software: Google Meet; LogMeIn GoToMeeting;

Video creation and editing software: Screencastify;

Web page creation and editing software: Web page design and editing software; Orbius; Facebook; LinkedIn;

Web platform development software: Ext JS;

Word processing software: Google Docs; Microsoft Word; Word processing software;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors include:
  • 21-1021.00 Child, Family, and School Social Workers
  • 25-1081.00 Education Teachers, Postsecondary
  • 21-1091.00 Health Education Specialists
  • 21-1023.00 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
  • 21-1014.00 Mental Health Counselors
  • 21-1015.00 Rehabilitation Counselors
  • 19-3034.00 School Psychologists
  • 21-1093.00 Social and Human Service Assistants
  • 25-2056.00 Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
  • 25-2055.00 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information about counseling and information about counseling specialties, visit: American Counseling Association
  • For more information about school counselors, visit: American School Counselor Association
  • For more information about career counselors and advisors, visit: National Career Development Association
  • For more information about state credentialing, visit: National Board for Certified Counselors
  • CareerOneStop

  • For a career video on school and career counselors and advisors, visit: Educational, Vocational, and School Counselors
  • Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.