Counseling is a broad field. From education or guidance counseling, which helps students at every grade level, to geriatric counseling, which supports seniors and their families, there are many subspecialties within the counseling field. You can choose one that best suits your interests and skills. Earning an associate degree in counseling can put you in the position to pursue a career in any of these specialty areas.
Most ... practicing counselors are required to be certified. Certification requirements vary by state and the area of specialty, but many require an advanced degree (usually a master degree) and at least two years of field experience. That means that, upon completing your associate degree in counseling, you won't be ready to start your own practice or work as a counselor at a private or public organization. However, your associate degree in counseling can help you get a foot in the door, allowing you to get an administrative or support position within an organization that employs counselors
Experience within a counselor's office or working with counselors will allow you to see the skills and personality that is needed to succeed in this field. In general, you should have a strong interest in wanting to help and inspire others. Some counselors — such as those involved in areas related to social work, addiction, and mental health — must deal with very stressful environments. Seeing first hand what those professionals deal with will help you to determine whether you have the emotional and physical stamina for this type of challenging, yet rewarding, career.
As a counseling major, you will be required to take a mix of psychology and sociology courses. Courses in interpersonal and business communications may also be required. Some programs may also include classes in statistics, which will help you analyze data and research. In addition, you will likely be able to choose courses that are relevant to the specialty area you choose. Before you get too far into your course of study, you may want to talk with practicing counselors from a variety of specialty areas to determine which one you will focus on.
Your career growth will depend largely on your area of expertise. There are certainly opportunities within the private and public sectors for counselors to advance. For instance, school guidance counselors may move into director or supervisor positions within the education system. Career counselors may find opportunities within individual corporations to help recruit and retain quality employees. For the greatest career advancement, you will probably need to continue your education and attain a master degree or higher.
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