Program Counselor

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

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Academic Advisor; Academic Counselor; Admissions Counselor; Career Counselor; College Counselor; Elementary School Counselor; Guidance Counselor; School Counselor; Student Services Coordinator; Vocational Counselor

Tasks

• Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
• Counsel students regarding educational issues, such as course and program selection, class scheduling and registration, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.
• Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
• Counsel individuals or groups to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
• Review transcripts to ensure that students meet graduation or college entrance requirements, and write letters of recommendation.
• Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
• Refer students to outside counseling services.
• Refer students to degree programs based on interests, aptitudes, or educational assessments.
• Evaluate students' or individuals' abilities, interests, and personality characteristics, using tests, records, interviews, or professional sources.
• Provide students with information on topics such as college degree programs and admission requirements, financial aid opportunities, trade and technical schools, and apprenticeship programs.
• Conduct follow-up interviews with counselees to determine if their needs have been met.
• Instruct individuals in career development techniques, such as job search and application strategies, resume writing, and interview skills.
• Assess needs for assistance, such as rehabilitation, financial aid, or additional vocational training, and refer clients to the appropriate services.
• Plan and promote career and employment-related programs and events, such as career planning presentations, work experience programs, job fairs, and career workshops.
• Attend meetings, educational conferences, and training workshops, and serve on committees.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service
• English Language
• Therapy and Counseling
• Education and Training
• Administrative
• Psychology

Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Speech Clarity
• Fluency of Ideas
• Speech Recognition
• Information Ordering
• Near Vision
• Originality
• Category Flexibility
• Selective Attention