Considering a career as a high school academic counselor?

I've been thinking about future career options and the role of a high school academic counselor caught my eye. What kind of qualifications and skills do you need for such a job?

A career as a high school academic counselor can be incredibly rewarding as you get to mentor young minds and guide them in realizing their academic and career goals. One of the key requirements of this role is a bachelor's degree, though a related master's degree in counseling, school counseling, psychology, or social work is often highly favored, and in some cases even required by certain districts.

After these base qualifications in education, gaining a state-issued credential or certification specific to school counseling is typically necessary. The specifics of this can vary state by state, so you'll want to look up what your state's requirements are.

Skills such as effective communication, empathy, organization, and a real passion for working with and helping adolescents are crucial as well. You will frequently be faced with students from various backgrounds, facing different challenges, so cultural competence and sensitivity will also play a part.

You'll also need to have a good understanding of college admissions protocols and career pathways, as a significant part of your job will involve guiding and mentoring students on their post-high school journey, whether that's college, trade school, the army, or beginning their career.

Lastly, a degree of resilience and problem-solving skills are also needed, as you will often face various situations that require tactful and sensitive handling. Being an academic counselor can be stressful, so the ability to manage stress effectively can be valuable.

I hope this gives a comprehensive overview of what the role entails! Good luck in your career contemplation and planning.