Counselor

A sprained ankle, sore throat, or cut finger can all be cured by a trip to the Doctor. A bruised ego, broken heart, or tangled life, however, can’t be fixed with a few stitches and a prescription. These sorts of problems are best dealt with by a Counselor, a professional who can help people make good choices, leave bad habits behind, and move forward in a productive way.

Counselors may work with people who have multiple problems at the same time, such as a woman with an abusive partner and a drug problem. As a Counselor, you talk to your patients about the problems they face, and put together plans to help them improve. You may refer them to a drug rehabilitation center, for example, or send them to classes to improve their job skills.

You may also ask them to come to classes that you hold with many other patients, all talking about their problems and helping one another. You’ll accept hugs when patients improve.

Another option is to work in a school setting. Here, you give students tests to determine what career paths they can take as adults. You also help them apply to higher education programs.

When students come to you with problems, you may suggest that they seek mental health services in the community. You’ll learn a great deal of hip slang in your work, but you won’t use it in daily conversation lest you be labeled a square.

You may also work with adults who have lost their jobs. To help them improve their job skills, you may suggest that they take computer or higher education courses. In addition, you may help them practice their interviewing skills.