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Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors

Community and Social Service (21-1012)

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

At a Glance

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earns a median of $65,140/yr with +3.5% projected growth. Typical entry: Master's degree. Top skills: Dependability, Integrity, Getting Information.

Median Annual Wage

$65,140/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+3.5%

Annual Openings

31

Typical Education

Master's degree

Skills & Requirements

Skills (16)

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.

4.4
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

4.1
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

4.1
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

4.0
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

3.9
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

3.9
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.9
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.8
Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

3.8
Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

3.8
Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

3.8
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

3.6
Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

3.6
Persuasion

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

3.6
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

3.6
Negotiation

Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

3.4

Knowledge (4)

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.

4.1
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

3.9
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.

3.6
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.

3.4

Abilities (12)

Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.3
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.3
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

4.0
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

4.0
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.

3.8
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.8
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

3.8
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.8
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.6
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).

3.6
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.4
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).

3.4

Technology (13)

Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Oracle PeopleSoft

Category: Enterprise resource planning ERP software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS

Category: Object or component oriented development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft SharePoint

Category: Document management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Project

Category: Project management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Access

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
Google Docs

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Facebook

Category: Web page creation and editing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Photoshop

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (26)

Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.8
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.8
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.6
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.4
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

4.4
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

4.3
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

4.3
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

4.2
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

4.1
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

4.1
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

4.1
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

3.9
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

3.9
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

3.9
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

3.8
Assisting and Caring for Others

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

3.7
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

3.7
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

3.6
Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

3.6
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

3.6
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

3.5
Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

3.5
Performing Administrative Activities

Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

3.3
Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

3.3
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

3.3

Work Styles (4)

Dependability

A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

5.0
Integrity

A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

5.0
Cooperation

A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

4.3
Social Orientation

A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

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