Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Career Counselors
Undergraduate students can gain relevant experience through mentoring roles within their university, such as "mentoring in your sorority or...athletic team," or by working in the university's career center as a peer advisor. These opportunities offer a "preview of what career counseling is," allowing students to explore whether this career path aligns with their interests.
Mentoring, Career Advising, Peer Support, Higher Education, Career Center
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Travis Raynaud
Career Counselor
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Masters in Counseling and Guidance for Higher Education
Psychology
Coaching, Speaking & Writing, Education
Education
Pell Grant Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Mentoring programs within universities offer valuable experience in providing advice and support to students, which is a key aspect of career counseling.
2. Many universities have career centers with opportunities to work as a career peer advisor, providing hands-on experience in the field.
3. Serving as a mentor in various settings, such as academic departments, clubs, or sports teams, can help students gain a better understanding of what a career counselor does and whether they enjoy that kind of work.
Transcript
Q10: Entry-level positions
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
Every university has mentoring programs. Some are formalized, like being a mentor for your electrical engineering department. Others aren't tied to a specific major.
Sometimes, mentoring happens through a club, a sorority, church, or an athletic team. This relationship of giving advice and support to a fellow student previews what career counseling entails.
For example, a first-year student might ask how to attend office hours, and you provide advice. Or, if someone needs help with a statistics class, you might guide them to the correct office hours. These experiences offer a glimpse into the role of a career counselor.
Nearly all universities have a career center with opportunities to serve as a career peer or advisor. This peer-to-peer role involves helping other students. These positions are great ways to explore your interest in providing career support while still an undergraduate.