Career Counsellor

Education Requirements

Minimum Needed

Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in (Employment) Counselling, Human Resources Development, Psychology, Education, Adult Education, Social Work, or other Human Services area.

Normally Needed

Master’s Degree in Counselling, Psychology, Social Work, or related subject.

Career Pathway Advice

Before Graduation

• Gain Work Experiences. (e.g., Co-op Education, Internships, Work Integrated Learning).
• Be Curious. Ask questions about the work environment and day-to-day tasks of a job. This includes reaching out to professionals in the field, faculty, counsellors/advisors, neighbours and friends.
• Develop Power Skills. (e.g., oral and written communication, teamwork & leadership, problem solving, critical thinking, innovation & creativity, and engaging diversity).
• Know Your Transferable Skills. Understand how the skills you are learning in your program meet or transfer to the requirements of your intended job.
• Develop Digital Literacy. Be able to find, communicate, create, and edit files online (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe).
• Be Grade Point Average (GPA) Aware. Know the minimum grade point average needed for admission to your desired graduate or professional program.
• Pursue Mentorship and Network Opportunities. (e.g., information interviews, developing relationships with someone working in the field, joining professional organizations, job shadowing, or volunteering).
• Prepare Your Job Search Documents. (e.g., LinkedIn profile, CV/Resume, cover letter, and portfolio).
• Practice your Interview Skills. Research common interview questions employers use, develop short stories you can use to demonstrate your skills and experience, and seek help from a career centre, family, or friends to do mock interviews.

After Graduation

• Embrace formal ongoing learning and professional development. Regulated professions in Canada demand it.
• Seek mentorship from co-workers and supervisors.
• Build network relationships with other industry professionals.
• Keep your jobs search documents updated.
• Build your brand by using social media, LinkedIn and professional membership or associations.

Spotlight Requirements

• Experience administering and interpreting career assessment tools is normally needed.
• In Quebece, membership in a professional association is needed to use the term "counsellor".

Expert Advice

• There are a lot of people who call themselves career counsellors with a wide range of backgrounds. That’s because the counselling profession is only regulated in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec & Ontario.
• The move towards regulating the counselling profession in other provinces is an evolving process. The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) would like to see the same standards adopted across the country.
• At present only counsellors certified by the CCPA may use the term Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC). This designation requires a Master’s Degree in Counselling and a supervised practicum.
• For more information refer to the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association website.

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