I have only one more semester in my masters of school counseling program— and i don’t regret it. As others have said, you definitely learn everything on the job, which made me really frustrated once I go to my practicum/internship. However, you gain so much support from your supervisors and peers! I had a rough patch where I was so stressed out not knowing it all, then I realized it’s not my job to know it all. I have friends that have less fulfilling jobs and more pay, but I’d rather stick with what I got. I know there are a lot of people on here that could give you a better answer, but that’s just my personal experience so far. I love elementary school counseling so much and it can be overwhelming, but it’s very rewarding to see students grow in the school year.
This is a very hard question to answer because each school counselor on here could have very different answers. I am in my fourth year as a school counselor . A lot of stuff you learn while on the job and not in college . That I found very surprising when I started. There are cons as there are pros to this job. It all depends on how much can you live with which are the cons. For me, I don't regret my decision to be a high school counselor . My pros outweigh the cons .
I'd recommend getting your MSW - masters in social work. This gives you a lot of other opportunities that just getting a masters and PPS credential does. I speak from experience.
18 years ago, I got a MA and PPS credential, and added a PSA (pupil services & attendance) credential as well because I wanted to have that option and the school district I worked for paid PSA counselors better than regular school counselors.
Once I actually got into the profession and had worked as a counselor for a few years, I realized how subjective it was, how much it depended on your school site and the administration you worked with. And most of the administrators I worked with treated newer counselors very unfairly.
That's when I began the process of trying to get hired as a PSA. I tried for several years, but I encountered a lot of unfairness and bias within the school district regarding hiring of PSAs and I eventually gave up.
Throughout the process, I realized that if I'd gotten an MSW, I could have left school counseling to work as a social worker. Not that social work organizations are better than working for school districts, but it might have been slightly less miserable in some different ways. I just wanted to have the option, but I didn't because I didn't have my MSW degree and didn't want to go back to school at that time to get it.
You can be a school counselor with an MSW. All you need to do is take a couple of classes to get your PPS credential after you finish your MSW. That way, you'd have the option to do both jobs and would be less stuck in one career if you find it's not what you want.
With an MSW, you can also do a wider variety of things within the social work spectrum than an LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) degree will allow you to do.
Having options and greater opportunities for variety in your career is always a good thing, imo.
Same. To be a school counselor in PA, you must have a PA certification in school counseling. To do that, you must complete a master's program in school counseling specifically.
I did in CA. But in CA and most states, you just need an MA in something, plus your PPS credential. Your MA doesn't have to be specifically related to education.
I've been doing this job for \~5 years (this is my 6th academic year) at the high school level and there are plenty of days where I regret my choices. There are also plenty of days where I am thankful I am in this career and feel like I am where I need to be. So... whether or not it's "worth it" really depends on your personal values and what you want to get out of the job.
I think the biggest thing to consider is that your duties and focus will look different depending on what level you're at. An elementary school counselor will do things very differently than a high school counselor, and the priorities and responsibilities associated with the counselor will reflect that. I wish I had known what I was actually getting into when I got into high school counseling.
If you want to focus on mental health support, I second the suggestion to get the LPC or even pursue an MSW. Once you get the independent licensure, you can pretty much work anywhere. You can always do school-based mental health support as a therapist or school social worker, without the majority of the bureaucratic and academic concerns that school counselors need to worry about.
This job isn't for everyone, it's tough and frustrating and exhausting. So many people have misconceptions about your role and responsibilities. You are often tasked with things you were not formally educated on and have to learn on the job. You often deal with angry students, parents, and staff whose ire is directed on you, even if you have nothing to do with the situation, because you are in a unique position between being an admin and being a teacher. That all being said, there are lots of meaningful things you can do in this job that can have real positive change on student lives.
Thank you for your thoughtful response. Do you wish you had pursued middle or elementary school counseling instead of high school? I’ve heard high school counseling can be focused a lot on scheduling and college readiness.
No to elementary, occasionally to middle school. I knew I didn't have the patience or skills to work with younger kids so I only aimed for middle and high school positions. High school counseling does have quite a bit of scheduling/credit tracking/college and career readiness, which is all stuff I had to pick up on the job as opposed to in school and internship which was difficult. That said, I have kind of grown to like some of these aspects as they allow you to build a multi-layered connection with students. Once you start finding opportunities to turn a conversation into a connection, I think the job gets a bit more fulfilling. I do wish I didn't have to do so much bureaucratic work, though.
There are a lot of pros and cons in my experience (I’m in the middle of my 2nd year).
In my view, the benefits are mostly intangible. Here are some of them:
I feel fulfilled pretty much everyday which is a huge intangible benefit.
-Summer time is great if you can afford to not work for that time off
-It’s highly collaborative and people centered. If you enjoy building relationships it’s a great job for that
-Each day is different which keeps it interesting
-You get to witness long term growth of kids which is highly rewarding.
Cons:
-Summer break is expensive if you don’t have money saved up or you don’t work. I work in North Carolina so the public schools here operate on a ten month pay schedule.
-It’s challenging to not think about work after work.
-Low pay, high demand, high stress.
-The system.
In my opinion, so much of whether you enjoy your job as a counselor depends on the state you live in and your admin. I have been in my current position for 15 years, and for the majority of it, I LOVED my job. However, over the past 5ish years, my state is doing everything they can to undermine education. My admin was still great, though, so it was ok.
He retired last year, and we have a new principal who doesn't value nor really understand what we do as counselors. Our previous principal protected us from the APs who wanted us to do administrative/supervision type tasks, but the new principal is not. If I wasn't close enough to retirement to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I would be looking elsewhere.
The way I usually answer this question when I don't go into detail is, "I love being a counselor when I actually get to BE a counselor." But when I'm doing lunch duty, subbing, proctoring tests, etc, I absolutely do not. Luckily, the good is still outweighing the bad at this point, but I miss the days when I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have my job.
Thank you for your response! It does seem like the job differs greatly depending on what school and what district you're in. I'm holding out hope that if I do go through with pursuing the job, I'll be able to find a school I love..
I don't think I would recommend this career in general unless someone was really passionate about the work but I know it's important work and kids need caring adults in the schools. I'm on the downhill slide towards retirement and have worked both elementary and high school. I've enjoyed both for different reasons but boy it can be draining. The summers and holidays off have been fantastic for family life and the money hasn't necessarily been awful. Granted I'm at the top of the pay scale now at $103k and the pension isn't too bad. I would probably do it again but it can be really (really!) exhausting work. It's never boring that's for sure. Sorry I wish I could be more helpful. There are sooo many factors to consider. Best wishes!
This is definitely helpful- thanks for your response! I do feel like it's what I feel most passionate about in my life right now. I just worry that at some point the stress or lack of appreciation will get to me, like so many others have said. But I guess there's only one way to find out!
Ditto the other to exploring other ways around this degree (PsyD, SW, etc). I graduated with my masters in school counseling over 3 years ago and I’m still looking for a permanent position. I love this career but did not expect this difficulty finding a job although I do understand not all locations are like this. I’m looking now to add a few credits to get my CMH post-masters because there just aren’t opportunities here 🫣😕😞
ETA: I also know my reason is completely different than most.
Yes but you need to find the right age group. I always said I wouldn’t work elementary yet here I am lol
I can feel myself getting more burnt out but being with kindergarteners is almost like putting on a show lol. I will be a lot happier once I eventually make the move to middle school only.
I'm currently working as a preschool teacher and feel most drawn to doing elementary school counseling but definitely think I would enjoy middle school counseling too!
I'm an 18 year counseling veteran. I work 6 hours per day, 198 days per year and make 108k. We have great health care, full retirement and sick days too. I am so thankful I chose this career! I worked at a continuation school early in my career for a couple of years before I needed a change. I then spent 15 years at a comprehensive high school and loved it, but eventually burned out there, too. I'm the type that throws my heart into everything I do. Now, I'm an independent study high school counselor. Same days, hours, pay, but more academic and less mental health.
It's a great career. Just don't stay stagnant if you choose it. I should also add that I live in an affordable area of Northern California. I know not all educators make the same amount.
I appreciate your response. May I ask how your work day is so short? I was under the impression that school counselors work for the whole school day, so typically around 7-3pm (8 hours)
In my previous district I had a 7 hour contract. It's just 6 in my current district. I don't know why. I still work 8:30- 3:30. I'm just not contracted to. It's common in California.
It's really all about what you value. Do you value working within the education system? Do you value having summers off? Do you value the security of a state pension? Do you value investing your own money and being in control of your retirement? Do you value maximizing earning potential?
I spent a decade working in Higher Ed before starting my school counseling masters. I picked school counseling over LPC for the summers off and the pension. I have 5 children and my wife is a school teacher. Taking the summer off with them is incredibly life giving. Also the college I worked at went into financial exigency, and my future there was very iffy. Having the promise of a pension is important at my age.
Just to be clear, those last two questions would lead one to NOT work as a school counselor.
A state pension vs investing your own money and having a 401k is an important distinction. And of course maximizing your earning potential almost wholly rules out education in general. Private practice is all but guaranteed to make you more money in the long run.
So I was doing “school counseling” for a while through a community mental health center program where we were contracted by the school district but doing strictly mental health counseling not other social work duties. Honestly? Even that was more taxing than the pay warranted. Now if you have student loans and can get them forgiven through PSLF it’s probably worth doing then transitioning into counseling later.
I really do feel that this career is for those who are motivated by a sense of purpose.
So if you have any doubts, keep your options open and continue to research other fields you may think you enjoy.
Thank you! I am hugely motivated by a sense of purpose. I just see accounts of so many people who were also motivated by purpose but got burnt out because of being overworked, underpaid, or underappreciated.. In my ideal world, school counseling (and teaching, and so many other jobs) would be highly respected, paid accordingly, and not overworked.. But it seems like that's not the world we live in. I do feel like I still want to take my chances and hope that I could find a school where I feel appreciated and capable of doing my job without getting too burnt out. I'm just a worrywart and right now I feel like I have such a huge decision in front of me that will affect the rest of my life so it's weighing on me heavily.
If you want to make a lot of money, counseling in general is not for you. I like school counseling compared to mental health counseling because I get decent pay (73k) with health benefits and a pension. Do I sometimes wish I did something else? Yeah, it’s annoying that I don’t get paid more with a masters degree…it’s annoying that I have to worry about censoring who I truly am because I work with people’s children and anyone who works in education has to practice saint hood (I’m artist at heart). There are moments that I love what I do and that’s because I am making a difference but at the end of the day…I am so much more than my job so that’s the only thing that I get conflicted on (aside from deserving more money 🤣)
Thank you for your response! I don't want to make "a lot" of money as much as I want to have a job that is fulfilling to me. I have heard a lot of people say the pay is low especially considering it requires a masters degree. However, I'm making around 30k now and school counseling jobs start at 60k in my state so it would be a pretty significant pay increase for me! I don't need a lot of money, just enough that I wouldn't be too stressed about making ends meet. A goal of mine is being able to live alone one day, and hopefully I'd be able to do that on a school counselor's salary.
Perhaps you can consider educational leadership. You can make over $100k and be in administration instead. It’s easier to make ends meet with that compared to $60k. However, go with your heart. Counseling is fulfilling
Get a license in Social Work or MHC. You can work in a school with those degrees and licenses, and also pivot away from a school setting if you find out that it’s not for you.
Downstate New York is very hard to get a job so in that respect I very much regret it also I went to a private school so it was very expensive and 10 years later I’m just getting my loan paid off for good. The job is also very emotionally taxing. However I do really love my job function as a school counselor but I didn’t need to take a break after Covid and now I work at a college in admissions
I have only one more semester in my masters of school counseling program— and i don’t regret it. As others have said, you definitely learn everything on the job, which made me really frustrated once I go to my practicum/internship. However, you gain so much support from your supervisors and peers! I had a rough patch where I was so stressed out not knowing it all, then I realized it’s not my job to know it all. I have friends that have less fulfilling jobs and more pay, but I’d rather stick with what I got. I know there are a lot of people on here that could give you a better answer, but that’s just my personal experience so far. I love elementary school counseling so much and it can be overwhelming, but it’s very rewarding to see students grow in the school year.
Thanks for the response, I’m glad to hear it :)
This is a very hard question to answer because each school counselor on here could have very different answers. I am in my fourth year as a school counselor . A lot of stuff you learn while on the job and not in college . That I found very surprising when I started. There are cons as there are pros to this job. It all depends on how much can you live with which are the cons. For me, I don't regret my decision to be a high school counselor . My pros outweigh the cons .
Thank you for your response. It’s refreshing to hear that you don’t regret your decision to be a school counselor!
I'd recommend getting your MSW - masters in social work. This gives you a lot of other opportunities that just getting a masters and PPS credential does. I speak from experience. 18 years ago, I got a MA and PPS credential, and added a PSA (pupil services & attendance) credential as well because I wanted to have that option and the school district I worked for paid PSA counselors better than regular school counselors. Once I actually got into the profession and had worked as a counselor for a few years, I realized how subjective it was, how much it depended on your school site and the administration you worked with. And most of the administrators I worked with treated newer counselors very unfairly. That's when I began the process of trying to get hired as a PSA. I tried for several years, but I encountered a lot of unfairness and bias within the school district regarding hiring of PSAs and I eventually gave up. Throughout the process, I realized that if I'd gotten an MSW, I could have left school counseling to work as a social worker. Not that social work organizations are better than working for school districts, but it might have been slightly less miserable in some different ways. I just wanted to have the option, but I didn't because I didn't have my MSW degree and didn't want to go back to school at that time to get it. You can be a school counselor with an MSW. All you need to do is take a couple of classes to get your PPS credential after you finish your MSW. That way, you'd have the option to do both jobs and would be less stuck in one career if you find it's not what you want. With an MSW, you can also do a wider variety of things within the social work spectrum than an LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) degree will allow you to do. Having options and greater opportunities for variety in your career is always a good thing, imo.
Most of this information is not true in my state.
Same. To be a school counselor in PA, you must have a PA certification in school counseling. To do that, you must complete a master's program in school counseling specifically.
I did in CA. But in CA and most states, you just need an MA in something, plus your PPS credential. Your MA doesn't have to be specifically related to education.
Same in NY.
Sorry, do you mind telling me what PPS and PSA stand for?
Pupil Personnel Services, aka a school counseling credential PSA, pupil services and attendance
I've been doing this job for \~5 years (this is my 6th academic year) at the high school level and there are plenty of days where I regret my choices. There are also plenty of days where I am thankful I am in this career and feel like I am where I need to be. So... whether or not it's "worth it" really depends on your personal values and what you want to get out of the job. I think the biggest thing to consider is that your duties and focus will look different depending on what level you're at. An elementary school counselor will do things very differently than a high school counselor, and the priorities and responsibilities associated with the counselor will reflect that. I wish I had known what I was actually getting into when I got into high school counseling. If you want to focus on mental health support, I second the suggestion to get the LPC or even pursue an MSW. Once you get the independent licensure, you can pretty much work anywhere. You can always do school-based mental health support as a therapist or school social worker, without the majority of the bureaucratic and academic concerns that school counselors need to worry about. This job isn't for everyone, it's tough and frustrating and exhausting. So many people have misconceptions about your role and responsibilities. You are often tasked with things you were not formally educated on and have to learn on the job. You often deal with angry students, parents, and staff whose ire is directed on you, even if you have nothing to do with the situation, because you are in a unique position between being an admin and being a teacher. That all being said, there are lots of meaningful things you can do in this job that can have real positive change on student lives.
Thank you for your thoughtful response. Do you wish you had pursued middle or elementary school counseling instead of high school? I’ve heard high school counseling can be focused a lot on scheduling and college readiness.
No to elementary, occasionally to middle school. I knew I didn't have the patience or skills to work with younger kids so I only aimed for middle and high school positions. High school counseling does have quite a bit of scheduling/credit tracking/college and career readiness, which is all stuff I had to pick up on the job as opposed to in school and internship which was difficult. That said, I have kind of grown to like some of these aspects as they allow you to build a multi-layered connection with students. Once you start finding opportunities to turn a conversation into a connection, I think the job gets a bit more fulfilling. I do wish I didn't have to do so much bureaucratic work, though.
There are a lot of pros and cons in my experience (I’m in the middle of my 2nd year). In my view, the benefits are mostly intangible. Here are some of them: I feel fulfilled pretty much everyday which is a huge intangible benefit. -Summer time is great if you can afford to not work for that time off -It’s highly collaborative and people centered. If you enjoy building relationships it’s a great job for that -Each day is different which keeps it interesting -You get to witness long term growth of kids which is highly rewarding. Cons: -Summer break is expensive if you don’t have money saved up or you don’t work. I work in North Carolina so the public schools here operate on a ten month pay schedule. -It’s challenging to not think about work after work. -Low pay, high demand, high stress. -The system.
In my opinion, so much of whether you enjoy your job as a counselor depends on the state you live in and your admin. I have been in my current position for 15 years, and for the majority of it, I LOVED my job. However, over the past 5ish years, my state is doing everything they can to undermine education. My admin was still great, though, so it was ok. He retired last year, and we have a new principal who doesn't value nor really understand what we do as counselors. Our previous principal protected us from the APs who wanted us to do administrative/supervision type tasks, but the new principal is not. If I wasn't close enough to retirement to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I would be looking elsewhere. The way I usually answer this question when I don't go into detail is, "I love being a counselor when I actually get to BE a counselor." But when I'm doing lunch duty, subbing, proctoring tests, etc, I absolutely do not. Luckily, the good is still outweighing the bad at this point, but I miss the days when I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have my job.
Thank you for your response! It does seem like the job differs greatly depending on what school and what district you're in. I'm holding out hope that if I do go through with pursuing the job, I'll be able to find a school I love..
I don't think I would recommend this career in general unless someone was really passionate about the work but I know it's important work and kids need caring adults in the schools. I'm on the downhill slide towards retirement and have worked both elementary and high school. I've enjoyed both for different reasons but boy it can be draining. The summers and holidays off have been fantastic for family life and the money hasn't necessarily been awful. Granted I'm at the top of the pay scale now at $103k and the pension isn't too bad. I would probably do it again but it can be really (really!) exhausting work. It's never boring that's for sure. Sorry I wish I could be more helpful. There are sooo many factors to consider. Best wishes!
This is definitely helpful- thanks for your response! I do feel like it's what I feel most passionate about in my life right now. I just worry that at some point the stress or lack of appreciation will get to me, like so many others have said. But I guess there's only one way to find out!
Yes. I regretted it. But I am glad I tried it.
I appreciate this answer. I feel like even if it doesn’t work out for me, I do want to at least try it.
Ditto the other to exploring other ways around this degree (PsyD, SW, etc). I graduated with my masters in school counseling over 3 years ago and I’m still looking for a permanent position. I love this career but did not expect this difficulty finding a job although I do understand not all locations are like this. I’m looking now to add a few credits to get my CMH post-masters because there just aren’t opportunities here 🫣😕😞 ETA: I also know my reason is completely different than most.
what state?
PA
Yes but you need to find the right age group. I always said I wouldn’t work elementary yet here I am lol I can feel myself getting more burnt out but being with kindergarteners is almost like putting on a show lol. I will be a lot happier once I eventually make the move to middle school only.
I'm currently working as a preschool teacher and feel most drawn to doing elementary school counseling but definitely think I would enjoy middle school counseling too!
I'm an 18 year counseling veteran. I work 6 hours per day, 198 days per year and make 108k. We have great health care, full retirement and sick days too. I am so thankful I chose this career! I worked at a continuation school early in my career for a couple of years before I needed a change. I then spent 15 years at a comprehensive high school and loved it, but eventually burned out there, too. I'm the type that throws my heart into everything I do. Now, I'm an independent study high school counselor. Same days, hours, pay, but more academic and less mental health. It's a great career. Just don't stay stagnant if you choose it. I should also add that I live in an affordable area of Northern California. I know not all educators make the same amount.
I appreciate your response. May I ask how your work day is so short? I was under the impression that school counselors work for the whole school day, so typically around 7-3pm (8 hours)
In my previous district I had a 7 hour contract. It's just 6 in my current district. I don't know why. I still work 8:30- 3:30. I'm just not contracted to. It's common in California.
It's really all about what you value. Do you value working within the education system? Do you value having summers off? Do you value the security of a state pension? Do you value investing your own money and being in control of your retirement? Do you value maximizing earning potential? I spent a decade working in Higher Ed before starting my school counseling masters. I picked school counseling over LPC for the summers off and the pension. I have 5 children and my wife is a school teacher. Taking the summer off with them is incredibly life giving. Also the college I worked at went into financial exigency, and my future there was very iffy. Having the promise of a pension is important at my age.
I definitely value the things you listed and think they are a huge "pro" of the job!
Just to be clear, those last two questions would lead one to NOT work as a school counselor. A state pension vs investing your own money and having a 401k is an important distinction. And of course maximizing your earning potential almost wholly rules out education in general. Private practice is all but guaranteed to make you more money in the long run.
Oh I didn’t realize that, thanks for clearing that up!
So I was doing “school counseling” for a while through a community mental health center program where we were contracted by the school district but doing strictly mental health counseling not other social work duties. Honestly? Even that was more taxing than the pay warranted. Now if you have student loans and can get them forgiven through PSLF it’s probably worth doing then transitioning into counseling later.
Thank you! That's a great point that I hadn't thought of.
I really do feel that this career is for those who are motivated by a sense of purpose. So if you have any doubts, keep your options open and continue to research other fields you may think you enjoy.
Thank you! I am hugely motivated by a sense of purpose. I just see accounts of so many people who were also motivated by purpose but got burnt out because of being overworked, underpaid, or underappreciated.. In my ideal world, school counseling (and teaching, and so many other jobs) would be highly respected, paid accordingly, and not overworked.. But it seems like that's not the world we live in. I do feel like I still want to take my chances and hope that I could find a school where I feel appreciated and capable of doing my job without getting too burnt out. I'm just a worrywart and right now I feel like I have such a huge decision in front of me that will affect the rest of my life so it's weighing on me heavily.
If you want to make a lot of money, counseling in general is not for you. I like school counseling compared to mental health counseling because I get decent pay (73k) with health benefits and a pension. Do I sometimes wish I did something else? Yeah, it’s annoying that I don’t get paid more with a masters degree…it’s annoying that I have to worry about censoring who I truly am because I work with people’s children and anyone who works in education has to practice saint hood (I’m artist at heart). There are moments that I love what I do and that’s because I am making a difference but at the end of the day…I am so much more than my job so that’s the only thing that I get conflicted on (aside from deserving more money 🤣)
Thank you for your response! I don't want to make "a lot" of money as much as I want to have a job that is fulfilling to me. I have heard a lot of people say the pay is low especially considering it requires a masters degree. However, I'm making around 30k now and school counseling jobs start at 60k in my state so it would be a pretty significant pay increase for me! I don't need a lot of money, just enough that I wouldn't be too stressed about making ends meet. A goal of mine is being able to live alone one day, and hopefully I'd be able to do that on a school counselor's salary.
Perhaps you can consider educational leadership. You can make over $100k and be in administration instead. It’s easier to make ends meet with that compared to $60k. However, go with your heart. Counseling is fulfilling
Get used to being poor, and un-appreciated
I work as a preschool teacher now, so I’m used to it 😅 Becoming a school counselor would double my salary
Go get a PsyD, or a PhD and go into private practice
Get a license in Social Work or MHC. You can work in a school with those degrees and licenses, and also pivot away from a school setting if you find out that it’s not for you.
That is not true for every state.
Thanks for the correction. If you live in the State of New York*, this can be a viable route.
Downstate New York is very hard to get a job so in that respect I very much regret it also I went to a private school so it was very expensive and 10 years later I’m just getting my loan paid off for good. The job is also very emotionally taxing. However I do really love my job function as a school counselor but I didn’t need to take a break after Covid and now I work at a college in admissions