 Degree level: Masters Degree  Degree Field: Bachelor’s Degree  Licensure and/ certification: Requires a license and background check.

 Helping individuals understand and overcome, personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational situation.  Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to discuss children’s progress, resolve behavioral, academic, and other problems, and to determined priorities for students and their resource needs.  Evaluate students’ or individuals’ abilities, interests, and personality characteristics using tests, records, interviews, or professional sources.  Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to preserve with challenging tasks.

 Tools:  Notebook computers  Videoconferencing systems  Photo copiers  Technology:  Word process software  Electronic mail software

 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.  Education and Training- knowledge of principals and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

 Assisting and caring for others- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as co-workers, customers, or patients.  Resolving conflicts and negotiating with others- handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

 Active listening- giving full attention to what other people are saying.  Speaking- talking to others to convey information effectively.  Social Perceptiveness- being aware of others reactions and understanding why they react as they do.  Complex problem solving- identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

State-  Hourly: $15.02  Yearly: $31,200 National Median Pay-  Hourly: $15.45  Yearly: $32,100

 I believe I would be suited for this job because of my love for helping people. Also, I enjoy coming up with ideas to help people solve their problems and make their lives happier and worry free.

 This job definitely has many challenges, such as connecting with students, making them feel comfortable and safe and making sure their needs are met. However, at the end of the day you are rewarded by knowing that by doing your job, you are helping someone fix their problems and overcome difficult circumstances; making them a stronger person and helping them have a better future in the long run.

I asked Buford’s counselor, Carissa Adams these 5 questions about her job:  How many years of experience have you had as a school counselor?  Have you ever had any other counseling jobs?  What are your strengths as a counselor?  What tools do you find yourself using the most while counseling students?  What do you enjoy most about your job?