College counselor

Question: As they graduated from Santa Monica High School, I helped all three of my children with their college applications, including editing their essays. I enjoyed visiting colleges with each of my kids and helping them make a decision on the best college/program for them. My youngest child, now a freshman at college, told his friends about how good I was at college counseling so I ended up helping his friends too. Is there a way for me to turn this experience into paid employment? Can you give me ideas on how to proceed?
— Natalie

Response: You could begin working as a college counselor aide while you complete a college counselor training course. The minimum job requirement of a Santa Monica College counselor aide is knowledge of college counseling theories and techniques. You'll learn more about this as a student in a college counseling training program.

Job Description
The job duties of a college counselor aide include assisting incoming high school students with entrance applications, providing information on campus resources, academic and vocational programs, and advising on class schedules.

College counselors assist high school students in preparing for college admission and with course planning, scheduling standardized testing, writing applications, and choosing colleges. They respond to questions posed by both students and parents about the college application and acceptance process. They explain the financial aid process and advise students on available scholarships.

They help students with writing marketable admission essays, obtaining letters of recommendation and preparing for college interviews. They help students choose degree programs based on their interests and aptitudes.

College counselors attend seminars to stay abreast of the latest standardized tests. They also tour colleges and universities in order to meet admissions staff and learn more about programs and any unique aspects of the institutions.

Training Options and Costs
The following program offers a College Counselor Certificate:

UCLA Extension

10995 Le Conte Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90024

(310) 825-2648

www.uclaextension.edu

The Education Department offers a six-course, online college counselor certificate program. Courses include: The College Admissions Process and Practicum in College Counseling (that requires a 64-hour practicum), Counseling the College-Bound Student, The College Admissions Process, Financial Aid Fundamentals, Testing/Career Assessment, Using the Internet for College/Career Counseling, and Special Issues in College Counseling.

An additional course is offered called Educational Consulting: Foundations of a Practice. This class instructs on how to develop an independent college counseling practice. The cost of the program is $3,300, not including books and miscellaneous fees.

To work as a staff college counselor at a community college or as a public high school college counselor, you will need a master's degree in Counseling and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential. There are a number of master's degree programs offered at local universities. For example, California State University, Northridge offers a master's degree program in College Counseling and Student Services, and California State University, Long Beach offers a master's degree in Student Development in Higher Education.

Professional Associations
The following are professional associations you could join while completing a college counselor certificate program:

Western Association for College Admission Counselors (WACAC)

PMB 321-145 Plaza Drive

Suite 207

Vallejo, CA 94591

(866) 302-2674

www.wacac.org

This is a regional affiliate of the National Association of College Admission Counselors which services member residents of California and Nevada. Membership benefits include professional development workshops and field updates through newsletters.

Membership also offers networking opportunities at conferences. One such conference is the WACAC Spring Conference. It will be held in San Jose from May 31st to June 2nd, 2006.

Annual membership dues are $30.

Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)

3251 Old Lee Highway, Suite 510

Fairfax, VA 22030

(703) 591-4850

www.educationalconsulting.org

This is a non-profit, international professional association representing full-time experienced independent educational advisors. Student membership requirements include completion of a bachelor's degree or certificate program in college counseling.
Membership benefits include field updates through newsletters. Annual student membership dues are $60.

National Association of College Admission Counselors (NACAC)

1631 Prince Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 836-2222

www.nacacnet.org/MemberPortal

This is an international professional association of post-secondary counselors dedicated to serving students as they make choices about pursuing postsecondary education.

The association provides audiotapes of their national conference, information on Federal student loans, scholarships, and links to related resources and associations. While the association does not offer membership to students, it provides a listing of publications available for purchase.

Job Resources
The following are local colleges in the Los Angeles area that you could contact for employment as a college counselor aide:

Santa Monica College

Human Resources

1900 Pico Blvd.

Santa Monica, CA 90405

(310) 434-4415

www.smc.edu

This community college provides an online listing of job opportunities. The minimum job requirements of a college counselor aide include knowledge of the college application process. Aides are part-time, temporary personnel and do not qualify for benefits.

Los Angeles Community College District

770 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90017

(213) 891-2000

www.laccd.edu

The district is composed of nine community colleges. Those colleges include East Los Angeles Community College, Los Angeles Harbor College, Los Angeles Mission College, Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles Pierce College, Los Angeles Trade-Technology College, Los Angeles Southwest College, Los Angeles Valley College, and West Los Angeles College.

Employment Outlook
Average growth is projected through 2010 for college counselors. However, without a master's degree in counseling, your employment options will be limited to working in a private practice, a private school or in a paraprofessional position in a public school setting.

Salary Range
The hourly pay of a Santa Monica College counselor aide ranges from $13 to $16 per hour. If you were to consider starting a private practice, you would likely charge by the hour. Hourly fees for a college counseling session range from approximately $75 to $150. College counselors also bundle their services and charge by the "package." For example, they may charge $1,000 for a freshman, sophomore and junior package and up to $3,000 for a senior package.

 
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.