North Carolina School Counselors

To be effective educational leaders and supportive student advocates, is at the heart of the North Carolina school counseling profession. By following their state motto of “To be rather than to seem,” school counselors in the “Tar Heel State” take action to ensure the academic, social, and emotional wellbeing of every student in the educational system.

Aligning themselves with the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success, school counselors in North Carolina work from the knowledge, skills, and training they have received to help students achieve academic success, college and career readiness and social/emotional development.

Their over-arching goal is to increase the number of school counselors and school guidance programs to lower the student/counselor ratio and provide even more individualized guidance for every student in the state. With professionalism and purpose, North Carolina counselors will continue to take action for the betterment of the educational arena.

What do North Carolina school counselors do?

The North Carolina School Counselor Association (NCSCA) promotes excellence in their development of school counseling programs and personal achievement of all students.

Here are a few key things North Carolina counselors do:

1. Offer responsive services

   Ready to implement school counseling interventions, North Carolina counselors seek to help students with their immediate needs and concerns. Through effective instruction and practiced techniques, school counselors teach and incorporate responsive services to everyday minor issues as well as critical emergencies.

2. Ensure preparation for the transition out of high school

   From basic study skills and learning habits, to online research of college and career opportunities, school counselors are there to prepare students for the transition out of high school. They are vital in helping students bypass obstacles that may prevent them from continuing their education, and steering them towards the best college/career paths. For students who choose a different transition, school counselors can effectively guide them towards workforce opportunities and help encourage independent living beyond high school as positive, productive members of society.

3. Foster a positive school culture

   Every school has its challenges to maintain a positive school culture, and school counselors are some of the best to foster a healthy and supportive environment. Not only are they trained to educate and inform, they are equipped to deal with issues such as bullying, drug/alcohol abuse, and school safety. School counselors in North Carolina work closely with teachers and faculty to advocate for positive learning environments and productive classroom instruction.

4. Address behavioral and emotional challenges in the classroom

   North Carolina school counselors are not only advocates for students, they are advocates for teachers and school administrators. Often acting as liaisons between students and staff, counselors identify possible behavioral challenges and step in to counsel when needed. By evaluating the needs of every student, they are especially trained to guide students who are struggling emotionally or socially to handle conflict appropriately.

Why should someone consider becoming a school counselor in North Carolina?

Beyond the need for strong professionals to guide and counsel America’s youth, school counselors are much-needed in North Carolina and throughout the United States. For people who have a big heart for kids and want to make a lasting impact on the next generation, school counseling might be a great career option.

Here are a few reasons why someone should consider becoming a school counselor in North Carolina:

• The average salary for a school counselor in North Carolina is around $57,140 per year.
• The BLS demonstrates a significant demand and a healthy mean annual wage for school counselors in North Carolina. As of May 2018, there were nearly 6,400 school counselor positions in the Tar Heel State.
• The need for student advocacy is growing, therefore the need for comprehensive school counseling professionals is growing as well.

“Effective leadership through action” may be the best description of a North Carolina school counselor. These professionals in the “Tar Heel State” are fine examples of leading the way for America’s youth. They will continue to advocate for every student in the state and work hard to implement necessary changes for the success of their educational programs.

Contact schools offering school counseling or mental health counseling programs and learn how you can begin a career as a North Carolina School Counselor.

• Capella University Master of Science (MS) in Human Services – School Counseling Specialization – CACREP and State Approved ^**
• New York University (NYU) Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance – School Counseling and Bilingual School Counseling – MPCAC Accredited
• Grand Canyon University (GCU) Master of Education (MEd) School Counseling - leads to initial licensure

Whether you are from Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem, or anywhere else across the state, you will find school counseling a highly rewarding and respected career.

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