The document summarizes the career profile and responsibilities of a school guidance counselor. It outlines the traits and abilities needed which include being a good listener and communicator as well as enjoying working with kids. The responsibilities involve helping students with career planning, academic issues, and personal problems. School counselors typically work in elementary, middle, or high schools and have summer breaks like teachers. The education path involves obtaining a bachelor's degree and teaching certificate, with many counselors pursuing a master's degree in counseling as well.

1. Career Cruising:
Career Profile & Reflection
GS 150- Pathways to Success

2. Career Profile as a School Guidance Counsellor

3. Traits and Abilities
Cluster – Education & Social Services
Basic Traits – Friendly,Coordinated, Humorous, Social, Adaptable
Attributes & Abilities – Good listener, Good communicator, Able to evaluate,
Desire to help people, Enjoys working with kids and
young adults, Skills with problem solving, Able to work
as a team

4. Responsibilities andTasks
Use assessment tests to help students define their interests and abilities
Provide information on post-secondary education and training, and financial aid
Organize and run workshops and job fairs
Help students cope with personal and social issues
Teach communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills

5. Work Environments
public or private schools
elementary, middle, or high schools
post-secondary institutions
technical and trade schools
youth correctional facilities

6. Work Hours
• Counsellors often work about 7 to 8 hours a day.They also spend time
preparing for the school day or overseeing after-school activities. Their
yearly schedule is the same as a teacher's.They spend 9 to 10 months in
school, and have 2 or 3 months off during the summer.

7. Earnings and Benefits
• Salaries for school counsellors range from about $38,000 to $99,000 a year.
The median income is $69,000 a year.Their income varies on location,
seniority, and level of education. Counsellors with master's degrees or PhDs
often earn more.
• Counsellors who work full time usually get benefits including a dental plan
and a retirement plan.

8. Education
Most school counsellors in Canada become teachers first.Those who work in publicly funded schools need a
teaching certificate.The education you need to become a teacher varies from provinces. However, there are
two basic routes of teacher training.
• The first option is to start with a bachelor's degree.This takes 3 to 4 years to earn. After that, you attend
teacher's college.This takes a further 1 to 2 years.At teacher's college, you do professional studies and gain
in-class teaching experience.This period is called a practicum.
• The other path blends academic study and professional teaching training. It is usually called concurrent
study.After high school, you start a bachelor's degree. After 1 or 2 years of study, you apply to the Faculty
of Education. In some provinces, you can enter these programs right after high school.
For the next 3 years, you study education.You complete practice teaching requirements.You also continue to
study in your initial program. At the end of those 3 years, you get a Bachelor of Education degree.You also get
a degree in your initial area of study.
After you become a teacher, you can do programs in counselling.You can also take courses in guidance and
career education.These allow you to move into counselling. Many choose to do a master's degree in
counselling.

9. Possible Career Advancements
Counsellors can move up to become directors or supervisors of counselling.
They can also take charge of student service departments.With a graduate
education, they can become counsellor educators or counselling
psychologists. Some get jobs as school administrators.

10. Conclusion
I decided to choose a school guidance counsellor because I find them to be
very helpful. Back in high school, I would always speak to my guidance
counsellor whenever I needed help and guidance.Whether, it be school
problems or personal problems, they would always be there to listen. I really
admire their ability to help, listen and provide advice to students who really
need it. I find it very relatable, as I also like to help others with any problems
they might have. Also, I was very curious on the education path one has to
take to become a school counsellor.

11. Resources
• https://blog.soliant.com/careers-in-healthcare/career-tips-2/top-10-traits-
every-school-counselor-should-have/
• https://www2.careercruising.com/careers/profile-at-a-glance/546