If you want to become a counselor, it helps to start out as a good listener and sympathizer, and to care deeply about identifying solutions to people's difficulties. However, becoming a successful counselor requires more than simply a desire to help people through the trying times in their lives, although this is an excellent start. You must pursue a comprehensive education, training in the field and often obtain state licensure before you can achieve your goals and enjoy a rewarding career in counseling.
Obtaining a master's degree from a quality university is generally a requirement to become a licensed counselor, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accredited master's degree programs typically require students to complete about 48-60 hours at the graduate level after completing a 4-year bachelor's degree, the Bureau says, and students also usually participate in supervised clinical counseling at the master's level, the Bureau says.
However, there are a handful of counseling positions—for instance, some career counselors at universities—that do not require a license. The training and education level you will need as a counselor will depend on which counseling specialty you choose to pursue. You should note, however, that even employers hiring for counseling positions that do not require a master's degree still tend to prefer master's-trained counselors. The best bet is to inquire into your particular state's licensure requirements for the specialty you are interested in. For instance, your state's licensure requirements for marriage & family counselors may be vastly different than your state's requirements for school guidance counselors.
Since your college education plays a key role in preparing you for a career in counseling, it is important to do your research when choosing a college or university. You should consider the accreditation status of your college, especially of its psychology programs, before enrolling. If you are a working adult or have other obligations that keep you from attending a traditional campus, you may wish to look into the possibility of earning an accredited counseling degree online.
If your college offers the opportunity, nothing could be more valuable than becoming a volunteer student counselor. While still unlicensed, you will not be able to counsel the students who visit you, but you will still learn valuable listening skills by parroting back what an anxious student confides in you. This sort of experience also looks great on a resume.