Employment Counselors help individuals to choose, prepare for, enter and/or establish themselves in occupations. Most Employment Counselors work in state employment service  offices or in private and community agencies.

JOB DUTIES 

Employment Counselors may:

Interview job seekers to learn employment-related facts about the job seekers' interests, training, work experience, work attitudes, physical capabilities, and personal traits

Schedule job seekers for various tests and interest inventories

Interpret test results

Assist job seekers in developing a vocational plan which may involve remedial education, job training, or other services needed to make the person employable

Refer job seekers to other agencies for rehabilitative, psychological or other services, if necessary

Suggest employment sources and appropriate application methods

Instruct job seekers in job search skill areas, such as resume writing and successful interviewing techniques

Review job orders for appropriate vacancies and refer job seekers to placement specialists

Provide guidance to placement specialists in finding the proper type of work for job seekers with individual placement problems

Check job seekers' progress after they are in jobs or training programs to see if additional assistance is needed

Keep informed of labor markets, educational and occupational requirements, labor laws, government training programs, and various regulations

Maintain case files and keep counseling activity reports

Attend meetings, participate in career workshops, and speak to community groups

In private employment agencies, the Employment Counselor may assist in writing grant proposals and evaluating agency performance.

All of the previously mentioned duties are also performed by school counselors in educational institutions providing job placement services. (SEE MOISCRIPT #185-SCHOOL COUNSELOR)

Equipment and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Employment Counselors may specialize in these areas:

045.107-010 EMPLOYMENT COUNSELORS help individuals to choose, prepare for, enter and/or establish themselves in occupations. Most Employment counselors work in state employment service (also called Job Service) offices or in private and community agencies. Services are often directed toward special groups such as persons with literacy problems, handicappers, school dropouts, veterans, youth, older workers, ex-offenders, displaced homemakers, social welfare clients, various rehabilitation clients, and recent graduates of specific educational or training programs.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Employment Counselors in employment service offices work independently, but they must coordinate their work with that of placement specialists and other office workers. These Counselors usually work under the general supervision of the branch manager of the employment service office.

Counselors' working space is often limited, but offices are designed to be free from noise and distractions to allow for confidential discussions with clients. Counselors work in well lighted and well ventilated offices.

Employment Counselors usually work 40 hours per week. Counselors may have to put in extra time at meetings, workshops, or other job-related activities. Some community agency Counselors may offer evening appointments to counsel clients already employed.

Many Employment Counselors join professional associations such as the National Employment Counselors Association, American Psychological Association, Michigan Employment Counselors' Association and Michigan Counseling Association. Members of these associations must pay periodic membership fees.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities which involve direct personal contact to help people

• Activities concerned with communicating ideas/information to others

• Activities which bring recognition or appreciation from others

You Should Be Able To:

• Reason and make judgments about people

• Understand the meanings of words/ideas and speak and write

effectively

• Deal effectively with people beyond giving and receiving instructions

• Evaluate information using personal judgment and objective standards

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If a job seeker managed to get 76 questions right out of a possible 110, what is his or her percentage correct?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

It is CSC Management policy to practice equal opportunity for employment and promotion. The Company will provide these opportunities regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write letters to possible employers explaining an applicant's desire to become employed by them.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide what type of position would be best for a person with specific qualities and abilities.

Persons applying for counseling positions in Michigan Employment Security Agency offices or Department of Corrections Facilities must meet state civil service requirements. Included are minimum standards of education and/or experience as well as passing a written examination. In state employment, individuals are hired for the college trainee (07) position and must have a bachelor's degree in counseling and guidance, psychology, sociology, social work, education, or a related field. A master's degree is preferred and may be required for jobs requiring licensure in other agencies. The trainee must have, at the start of employment or earn within 1 year, 15 semester hours in 3 categories: guidance principles and techniques; personality development and analysis; and occupational, industrial, and social information.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A High School Diploma or Equivalent or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond High School) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond High School) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1700 GOVERNMENT , 2200 MATH , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

037 COUNSELING

Counseling Programs provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment assisting people in making personal, marital, employment, or vocational adjustments. Different programs lead to differing counselor occupations.

Marriage Counseling requires at least a graduate degree in psychology (see program #145), sociology (see program #162), medicine with a psychiatry specialization (see program #102), social service (see program #161), or a related field.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling requires at least a bachelor's degree in a behavioral science such as psychology (see program #145), sociology (see program #162), or a related field. Increasingly, a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling is required (see program #177).

Employment Counseling requires at least a bachelor's degree in guidance and counseling (see program #156), psychology (see program #145), sociology (see program #162), social work (see program #161), personnel administration (see program #128), public administration (see program #146), vocational counseling (see program #177), or a related field.

Courses vary from school to school and between areas of specialization.

  Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

To explore the field of counseling, persons may work as aides or helpers in religious or social service organizations. Reading professional publications, such as the "Journal of Employment Counseling," will provide some knowledge of counseling work. Postsecondary programs in counseling may offer opportunities for internships. Individuals may also visit and talk with an Employment Counselor at a local public employment service office or the placement office of a local college or university.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Employment Counselor employer

internships

volunteer work with a Employment Counselor employer

community service work with an agency

The most common method of entry is by direct application to state civil service offices or private agencies. Assistance may be available through school placement offices. Openings may be listed in newspaper want ads and professional journals. Performing an internship or college work study may also lead to a job.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Salaries of Employment Counselors in State offices vary considerably from one state to another. Education and experience affect salaries. In general, Employment Counselors' salaries are comparable to earnings of Counselors in other agencies in the same state.

Nationally, individuals employed in Employment Counseling and related positions had median annual earnings of $35,828 in 1996.

Employment Counselors employed by the State of Michigan earned between $27,812 and $35,767 per year in mid 1997.

Private career Counselors charge hourly rates ranging from $50 to $125. From these fees, however, Counselors must pay operating expenses such as office space, clerical assistance, and advertising. They also spend a lot of time on tasks (like promoting business) which do not produce income.

Some state governments have longevity compensation plans which pay a specific dollar amount yearly to employees, including Employment Counselors. The amount is usually based on years of service and grade level of the worker.

Depending on the employer, most Employment Counselors receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, and disability insurance; health insurance, including vision and dental coverage; paid sick leave; tuition reimbursement plans; and retirement plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by employers.

Employers generally provide in-service training to Employment Counselors or trainees. Individuals with graduate degrees in counseling or a related field and experience may enter at higher levels on the ladder. Well- qualified, experienced Counselors may advance to supervisory or administrative positions. Some Counselors may become consultants. Others enter the "Private Employment/Placement" field.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were 164,700 counselors, including employment counselors employed in 1994. Employment in this occupation depends largely on federal funding for the state, local, and community agencies that provide job counseling. Employment of Employment Counselors who work for state and local governments is expected to decline through the year 2005 due to budgetary constraints.

Most Employment Counselors in Michigan worked in State Job Service offices, state corrections facilities, or in community agencies. Approximately 35 individuals were employed in employment counselor classifications by the State of Michigan in 1996. An undetermined number worked for other agencies such as prisons, training schools for delinquent youths, and mental hospitals. Some worked in private employment and temporary help agencies. According to the 1990 Census, 41.9% of those occupation were male; 17.6% were Black; 1.3% were Asian and Pacific Islanders; and 1.6% were persons of Hispanic origin.

Little change in the number of Employment Counselors working in Michigan is expected through they year 2005. Many laid-off workers are considering changing their occupations or upgrading their job skills. To meet this demand for counseling services, agencies may hire more employment counselors. Additional hiring is dependent on increased public and private funding for employment counseling and related services.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Federal Workforce Security Act proposal includes development of school-to-work transition programs. These may provide additional employment opportunities for employment counselors.

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development