How to Become a School Counselor?

The education industry in India is fast expanding and evolving. To meet the growing needs of students and contribute to their holistic development and overall well-being, some people prefer to work in non-academic roles in the capacity of a school counselor. They offer guidance and assistance to teachers in their role of helping students become better students academically and grow into emotionally mature adults. As such, school counselors play a crucial role in the overall growth and development of students and is a role highly preferred by many after 10+2. This blog shares more details on how to become a school counselor after 12th.

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Who Are School Counselors?

They are professionals who are hired by schools for their leadership, empathy, and collaborative skills. They are adept at understanding the academic and emotional requirements of students and devise appropriate plans to meet those needs. They make use of feedback received from teachers, results of tests, and other related data to plan, supervise, and manage the holistic development of students. School counselors work at elementary, middle, and high school levels. They also sometimes help students deal with mental health issues to help improve their academic results.

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How Do I Become A Guidance Counselor?

You can follow this career path by following the simple steps defined below:

1. Do Your Homework First

Not literally, but this means doing some research to get more information on the relevant qualifications required to be considered eligible for the role. This includes finding which degree or academic certification can help you land your dream role. It also helps to find out any specific requirements defined by a particular school or educational institution that you may be interested in applying to.

2. Pursue An Undergraduate Degree

This is the next logical step in the process. You need to complete a Bachelor’s degree as the basic minimum requirement for becoming a school counselor. You may choose from Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) in psychology or applied psychology. These are generally considered the best choices for students aspiring to pursue the career path of a school counselor. You may also apply for internship opportunities as part of your undergraduate program to gain hands-on experience in working with students.

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3. Consider A PG Program

This would help improve your employment prospects at top reputed schools at attractive pay packages. Pursuing a Master’s degree after completing your Bachelor’s is a good choice when considering a career option as a student counselor. Depending on your choice at the undergraduate level, you may continue with a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc) in Counseling Psychology, Child Psychology, or Applied Psychology.

4. Opt For Add-On Certification Courses

These can further help boost your hiring prospects in your career trajectory, unlocking lucrative payscales and work opportunities. They also help you stay relevant in the industry. Additional certification courses and diplomas can be opted for while you’re working as a school counselor. They help gain industry-desirable skills and also enable you to showcase those skills to prospective employers.

5. Work As A School Counselor

Work experience is necessary for your career growth as it gives you ample scope to apply all that you learned during your degree programs to real-time working with students in schools. Practical hands-on experience also helps boost confidence and highlights your achievements and weaknesses, if any, allowing scope for further improvement. To gain the desired professional experience in the domain, you may start applying for jobs in schools. Get in touch with the school’s HR department or visit job websites to identify any relevant vacancies. Submit your resume and a cover letter to make a positive first impression.

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Skills Required By School Counselors

School counselors are expected to possess the following skills to be able to perform their routine duties more efficiently:

• Empathy
• Open-mindedness
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Easy approachability

These skills make school counselors more employable in the education industry and also make them eligible to apply for high-paying job roles.

Role Of A School Counselor

School counselors play an important role in the academic lives of students, contributing to their overall personality development. Listed below are some of the key duties they are required to perform on a day-to-day basis:

• Collaborate with high school students and counsel them on their career goals upon completing education
• Conducting events to educate students on the importance of the mental and emotional health of students
• Informing teachers, parents, and school administration in case additional assistance required by a child which is outside of the school counselor’s expertise
• Meeting students regularly and offering assistance to them in navigating though their academic journey
• Regularly communicating with parents and leaping them updated on the child’s progress, behavior patterns, performance at school, and the like
• Offering rewards to students for their good behavior and encouraging them
• Providing incentives to students to help them overcome certain behavioral or social issues

Summing Up

The role of a school counselor is as crucial as that of a teacher or any other academic professional, playing an integral part in shaping the overall personality of a child and contributing to their holistic development. They offer assistance to both teachers and parents in understanding the child’s academic and emotional needs better so that all three of them can work as a team in the child’s development.

If you see yourself doing something noble as this in your career, consider pursuing a qualification in school counseling. You can also take up the desired course online and comfortably study a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Child Psychology or a certification course in child counseling. Amity University Online has a wide array of choices for aspiring students with a keen interest in guiding and assisting students for their academic and emotional growth.

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