Become a Counselor
Counseling
If you care about other people and are interested in a career that will allow you to change the lives around you, you might want to become a counselor. When you decide to become a counselor, you make a decision to live a life that will allow you to help guide others through making important life decisions and choices. Whether you become a counselor at a drug rehab facility, at a school, or at a job placement service, you will work closely with a number of different people and will play an integral role in helping them improve their lives.
There are many reasons to become a counselor, but the main reason most people choose this field is to help other people. When you become a counselor, however, you won’t work toward just helping one person, the changes you make can make a positive impact on society as well. Therefore, when you become a counselor, you will enjoy a career that helps you make a great living while also feeling good about what you do each day.
Another reason to become a counselor is the fact that employment opportunities are expected to grow much faster than the average occupation over the next several years. In fact, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of job openings in the field to far outnumber the number of graduates. This is particularly true for those that want to become a counselor that works with those with drug addiction or with behavioral issues.
Another reason to become a counselor is the pay you can expect to earn. While there are certainly higher paying professional jobs available, the earnings when you become a counselor can be quite substantial. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual salary for those working as educational counselors in 2004 was $45,570. Those working as behavioral disorder or substance abuse counselors, on the other hand, earned a median annual salary of $32,130 while those working as mental health counselors earned $32,960.
