The following material was assembled by the
National Career Development Association,
305 N. Beech Circle
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012

What is a career counselor?

Career counselors hold a graduate degree in counseling with a specialization in career counseling. Services of career counselors differ, depending on the counselor's level of competence, the setting, client needs, and other factors. Fellows, Master Career Counselors, Master Career Development Professionals, Registered Professional Career Counselors (California, only), and other professional career counselors help people make and carry out decisions and plans related to life/career directions. They also assist people in learning new skills and abilities related to managing and directing their careers and work life.

What do career counselors do?

Strategies and techniques of professional career counselors are tailored to the specific needs of the person seeking help. It is likely that the career counselor will do one or more of the following:

• Conduct individual and group counseling sessions to help clarify life/career goals
  
• Listen carefully to the circumstances that the individual brings to his/her career and life so as to tailor the activities to the needs of that individual
  
• Administer and interpret assessments, tests, and/or inventories to assess the individual's abilities, interests, and so forth, and to identify viable career options
  
• Encourage exploratory activities through assignments and planned learning experiences
  
• Utilize career planning systems and occupational information systems to help individuals better understand the world of work
  
• Provide opportunities for improving individual decision-making skills
  
• Assist in developing individualized career plans
  
• Teach strategies and skills for job hunting and assist in the development of resumes
  
• Help resolve potential personal conflicts on the job through practice in human relations skills
  
• Assist in understanding the integration of work with other life roles
  
• Provide support for persons experiencing job stress, job loss, and/or career transition

What training and credentials do career counselors have?

The designation "Master Career Counselor" signifies that the career counselor has achieved the
highest level of expertise in career counseling and meets the following criteria:

• Has earned a Master's degree or higher in counseling or a related professional field from a regionally accredited institution
  
• Has been a member of the National Career Development Association for at least 2 years
  
• Has completed supervised counseling experience which included career counseling or 2 years of full-time career development work experience
  
• Has acquired a minimum of 3 years of full-time career development work experience
  
• Spends at least half of his/her time engaged in the practice of career counseling
  
• Has completed at least 18 graduate-level credit hours of training specifically in career counseling and development
  
• Holds and maintains credentials as an NCC, LPC, RPCC, or psychologist
  
• Spends at least half of his/her time engaged in the practice of career counseling

Professional career counselors may also be trained in a 1- or 2-year graduate level counselor preparation program with a specialty in career counseling. They may be licensed by state counselor licensure boards or certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors. Prior to 2000 NBCC had provided certification in career counseling: the National Certified Career Counselor (NCCC) credential.

The designation "Master Career Development Professional" signifies that the career development professional meets the following criteria:

• Has earned a Master's degree in counseling or a related professional field from a regionally accredited institution
  
• Has completed 3 years of post-master's career development experience in training, teaching, program development, or materials development
  
• Has been a member of the National Career Development Association for at least 2 years
  
• Spends at least half of his/her time engaged in activities directly related to career development

The designation "Fellow" signifies a person of professional distinction within an academic institution or society. This designation is conferred to recognize outstanding and substantial contributions in science, teaching and training, practice, service, policy development, and political action. A Fellow meets the following criteria:

• Five years of professional membership in NCDA
  
• An earned Master's degree or higher in counseling or closely related field from a regionally accredited institution
  
• Five years of post-master's experience in career counseling and development
  
• Major and significant contributions on career development theory or practice as demonstrated by national and/or international recognition
  
• Strong and sustained leadership in the career counseling and development profession
  
• Engaged in education and training, practice, or research in career counseling and development
  
• Sustained commitment to career counseling and development through research, theory, practice, or leadership Although some Fellows do not directly provide career counseling services, many are actively providing career counseling

How can I find a career counselor?

1.	A list of Master Career Counselors and Master Career Development Professionals in your state can be accessed at the web site of the National Career Development Association: www.ncda.org tel: 918.663.7060; fax: 918.663.7058; toll-free: 866.367.6232.
2.	Many states have counselor licensure laws and state boards that oversee this licensing process. Check your local phone directory under state government or check with your public library for the address and phone number of your state counselor licensing board. You may contact them for a list of licensed counselors or to check the credentials of a specific counselor.
3.	Use the telephone yellow pages. Look for categories such as: “career counseling” or “vocational counseling” or “employment counseling.” As you scan the names, check to see if the professionals describe their credentials in the yellow pages ad. When you call, ask questions such as the following: Are you a Fellow of the NCDA, Master Career Counselor or a Master Career Development Professional? (In California, ask if he/she is a Registered Professional Career Counselor.) Are you licensed to practice counseling or psychology in this state? Are you a member of a national or state career counseling professional association? What special training or prior certification do you have in the area of career counseling?
4.	Ask colleagues, friends, and family members for the names of career counselors with whom they have worked and from whose work they feel that they benefited.
5.	Check with the library to find lists of career services available through educational and community agencies such as colleges, community colleges, public school adult education programs, state employment service, vocational rehabilitation, or special career services. Many have websites with valuable information.

What do career counseling clients have the right to expect?

You may ask career counselors for a detailed explanation of services, fees, time commitments, and a copy of their ethical guidelines. Select a counselor who is professionally trained, who specifies fees and services upon request, and who lets you choose the services you desire. Make certain you can terminate the services at any time, paying only for services rendered.

Career counseling requires the expertise of a trained professional. Be wary of services that promise you more money, quick promotions, or “success guaranteed” resumes. Career issues are usually complex and require a multifaceted approach by a career counselor who has extensive education, training, and experience. Be skeptical of services that make promises of more money, better jobs, resumes that get speedy results, or an immediate solution to your career problems.

Professional career counselors are expected to follow the ethical guidelines of organizations such as the National Career Development Association, the National Board for Certified Counselors, and the American Counseling Association. Professional codes of ethics advise against grandiose guarantees and promises, exorbitant fees, breaches of confidentiality, and related matters of misconduct. You may wish to ask for a detailed explanation of services offered, your financial and time commitments, and a copy of the ethical guidelines used by the career counselor or service you are considering.

Ask any counselor you are considering for a detailed explanation of services (career counseling, assessment, employment search strategy planning, resume writing, etc.). Make sure you understand the services, your degree of involvement, and your financial commitment.

What are some questions I can ask myself about my own career?

As you think about your career, it might help to ask yourself the following questions:

1.	How satisfied am I with my current job? What are the main satisfactions and dissatisfactions? What are my hopes and fears regarding my current job?
2.	What can I do to make my current job better? How might I change aspects of my job? How might I change work groups or projects? How might I change the meaning of work in my life? If I decided to change jobs, how might I accomplish this?
3.	What are my goals related to work and my career? In the near future? In the long-term? What are my long and short term priorities for work and my career?
4.	What actions, if any, do I need to take regarding my job and career? Now? In 3 months? Over the long term?