My Career Page

1A:Describe the work.

The job in which I am planning on doing research on is a secondary counselor. I know that this isn’t directly related with sociology but I feel that knowledgement of sociology can only help in this field. Most people including students, parents, teachers, administrators, and counselors generally view the functions of a school counselor in terms of solving problems or administering to crisis needs (Roeber, Edward 1963:11). Some argue that this specific definition is due to research methodology. Their main purpose of their jobs are to be there in assisting the educational and occupational needs of the student. They are excepted to be directly involved in the children’s choices and lives. It is not uncommon to have teacher and parent meetings and to help in the healing process that is involved around personal-emotional problems. With in the book The library of Education by Edward Rober, there was a direct list of things that are to be excepted by a counselor. I am going to relay them onto to you. (1) A counselor is expected to devote a significant proportion of his/her time to counseling individual pupils and to work with small groups of pupils. (2) A counselor is expected to serve as a consultant to teachers, administrators, individually and in groups. (3) A counselor is expected to serve as consultant to parents in individual and group conferences. (4) A counselor is expected to provide leadership in determining guidance and counseling policies and practices as well as in interpreting pupil needs for the improvement of other parts of an educational program. (5) A counselor is expected to act as liaison between the school and related community agencies and resource services. (6) A counselor is expected to conduct follow-up and other studies. (7) A counselor is expected to be a student of students and their environments, as well as to be able to communicate his understandings to others. (8) A counselor is expected to be knowledgeable concerning total environmental opportunities for all pupils. And lastly (9) A counselor is expected to make definite, systematic provisions for his personal, professional development (Rober, edward 1996:15). It is important to add that counselors are expected to help all students. Discrimination and alienation must not occur. A statement that was taken from the Commission of Guidance in American Schools listed four major responsibilities for school counselors. One being, counseling students on matters of self understanding, decision making, and planning, using both the interview and group decisions. The second was they must consult with staff and parents on questions of student understanding and student management. Also studying changes in the character of the student population and interpreting this information for the school administration and to curriculum development committees. To wrap up the responsibilities would be performing a liaison function between other school and community counseling resources and facilitating their use by teachers and students ( Rober Edward 1963:17). I feel that this is a detail description of the responsibilities and obligations of a secondary counselor.

1B:Describe the work setting.

The work setting for a secondary guidance counselor is very simple. For the majority of the time they would be located with the school that they are located at. They will have their own office and children, parents and teachers can make appointments to meet with them. In some cases the guidance counselor may feel it necessary to go to the children homes but for the majority of the time it is in the school environment.

1C:What are educational requirements.

In general the needed training to become a guidance counselor is both general education and specialized training. Formal education is a necessity. About six out ten counselors have a masters degree (Internet source..www.bls.gov/oco/ocos067.htm) In 1999, 45 states had some form of counselor credentialing, licensure, certification requirements, or legislation governing practice outside of schooling (www.bls.gov/oco/ocos067.htm) The problem with finding out what the exact requirements are is that they vary from state to state. What may be required in New York might be completely different that what is required in Utah. So before you go trying to fulfill all the requirements you should try to limit your placement for employment. The one thing that all state say you must have is a state school counseling certification. Some states only require that you have your B.A. yet in some you must have you M.A.

1D:What is known about earnings and career advancement patterns.

The median annual earning for a vocational and education counselor in 1998 was in between $38,650 and $49,963. I would expect that it has increased somewhat but one could get a general idea of what they would be expected to be paid. One way that someone can earn extra money would be if they agreed to work during the summers. There are many ways that secondary guidance counselors can continue their working experience even once reached retirement age. Some counselors go on into research, consulting , or college teaching or go into private or group practice (www.bls.gov/oco/ocos067.htm).

1E:What satisfies workers in this career/occupation?

I feel that in this specific job the person that is a guidance counselor is truly in it for the children. Their rewards should be simply knowing that they helped a child from anything relating to school or home. They are not only getting paid for helping children but they are making a dramatic impact on their lives. The problem that they are faced with is getting to involved. If someone feels to much they might end up taking it beyond the responsibilities of the counselor. Also it must remain confidential. Even if it seems like something very interesting it wouldn’t be inappropriate to spread someones problems or concerns to others. Lastly, the one thing that I would be concerned about would be if I gave someone bad advice. There is probably always that doubt but that is one of the responsibilities that they accept.

1F:What is sociological about this?

I feel that sociology plays an important role in becoming a guidance counselor. Although it is not required it is helpful. To be a guidance counselor you must have a great knowledge of psychology. Sociology and psychology have a few similarities between them. First both are concerned with attitudes, behavior, emotions, and interpersonal relationships (The sociology writing group 1998:5). A difference between the two is that psychology is more likely to focus on the individual level of human behavior. When sociology considers the individual, it is within the context of a social group (The Sociology writing group 1998:5). This will help when you are not only dealing with one child. There will probably be times that it isn’t simply an individual problem. If one has knowledge of the group problem not just the individual problem it will aid in making the correct decision. Understanding how certain home environments directly relates to the child will be useful. The background is essential in deciding what is wrong and right. It will help them come up with why they are doing what they are doing. Cultural difference could be addressed easier as along with many other things. It will just make understanding the surroundings a lot more clear than if one didn’t understand sociology. So as I mentioned before it isn’t a necessity but it can only help.