School counsellors provide support to pupils with regard to their educational, social, physical and emotional development and adjustment. They interview colleagues, parents and pupils in an effort to understand the pupils and their circumstances and problems.
During an interview they create a confidential atmosphere in which the child could feel confident to seek advice. They further make use of aptitude tests and personality, interest and potentiality questionnaires to establish possible causes of school-related and personal problems.
They guide the emotional development of certain pupils on a one-to-one basis and, where necessary, liaise with parents and other teachers. They help pupils address issues such as drugs and HIV/AIDS.
One of the most important tasks of school counsellors is to give career information to the pupils. They need to ensure that the information in the school's career library is always up-to-date. They help pupils to gain the necessary knowledge to equip them with decision-making skills, which will allow them to make appropriate career choices.
In the process of guiding pupils to make their own career choices based on self-understanding and self-knowledge, it is imperative that the school counsellor be well informed. Therefore, they have to attend as many courses as possible and read as much as they can on the different subjects.
Effective study methods are also conveyed to pupils, and specific learning disabilities should be identified by their register / class teachers, and reported to the school counsellor. They may initiate appropriate corrective measures for pupils with learning problems or refer these pupils to either educational psychologists or remedial teachers, if they are not qualified themselves to assist in this regard.
School counsellors also need to be good administrators.
Satisfying Aspects
- helping young people to make the right choices about careers and social interactions
- encouraging youngsters to be successful and fulfil their potential
- knowing your work can make a difference
Demanding aspects
- sometimes working irregular hours to meet the needs of pupils requiring help
- not particularly good remuneration
- frustration with pupils who show no progress
Requirements
A school counsellor should:
- be interested in children;
- want to help others, particularly young people;
- have empathy and be caring;
- inspire respect, trust and confidence;
- good communication and listening skills
- have maturity and good life-coping skills
- be able to inspire respect, trust and confidence
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: None
Recommended Subjects: None
Training
Degree: Bachelor degree majoring in Psychology and at least one other school subject, plus HED. UV does a BEd with guidance and Counselling.
At some universities, Psychology III is required to specialize as school counsellors. School counsellors can improve their qualifications, by doing an honours or masters degree in Counselling Psychology. After completing the internship, registration as a psychologist may follow. Prospective school counsellors can alternatively do a BEd and MEd in Educational Psychology and register as educational psychologists with the Professional Board for Psychology.
Employer
- Department of Education
- Government schools
- School clinics
- Rehabilitation centres
- Private schools
Contact
PACE Career Centre
P O Box 11463
Vorna Valley, 1686
Tel: (011) 8053298
Fax: (011) 3881447
info@pacecareers.com
www.pacecareers.com