Presented as a public service of the
California Career Development Association

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• When you need career help . . .
• About Career Counseling
  
  • What is a Career Counselor?
  • A Professional Career Counselor can help when you . . .
  • Some of the issues that Career Counselors can help. . .
• Be an informed consumer . . .
• Getting Started . . .
• Where do Career Counselors work?
• Who else offers career services?
• Career Providers - Comparison Chart
• Further Questions for Consumers.
  

Do you have questions about your career?
Professional Career Counselors help people just like you.

When you need career help . . .

Working through a career transition or career crisis can be difficult; planning one's career path is often a challenge.

Not knowing where to turn for help and support can be even more frustrating. That's why the members of the California Career Development Association (CCDA) are committed to offering information and resources you can trust.

About Career Counseling . . .

• What is a Career Counselor?

  A Career Counselor is a professionally trained counselor who specializes in helping people make and carry out decisions and plans related to career/life issues. Professional Career Counselors have the skills and knowledge to assist with this process at all stages of one's life and career.
  
  When you consult a Registered Professional Counselor/Career Counselor or National Certified Counselor/Career Counselor, you are assured that the individual has met the highest professional standards in their field.
  

• A professional Career Counselor can help when you . . .
  
  
  • Are trying to figure out what to do with your life
  • Have questions about education and training options
  • Want help sorting out what's most important to you in your work
  • Want to change career direction or find a new job
  • Are experiencing frustration or dissatisfaction with our job
    
    
• Some of the issues that Career Counselors can help with include:
  
  
  • Choosing a career
  • Planning for career change and/or advancement strategies
  • Marketable/transferable skills analysis and development
  • Labor Market research including forecasts and trends
  • Assessment of career values, interests, skills and preferences
  • Improving job search skills and strategies, including resume and interview preparation and networking
  • Managing career transitions, including layoffs, downsizing and re-entry
  • Life/Work balance; dual career family issues
  • Retirement planning

Be an informed consumer . . .

Ask any career services provider you may be considering, to answer these important questions.

You have the right to inquire about, and to know . . .

• What services they offer and what fees they charge
• Their education and training
• Their experience
• What credentials they have in their field, and to what professional organizations they belong.

Career Counselors are not employment agencies or executive recruiters; they do not obtain jobs for people. Question firms that say they offer "career counseling" and promise you job leads, and that require you to pay large fees upfront.

Getting Started . .

For a referral to a Professional Career Counselor near you, there are two resources you can contact by telephone or on-line:

The California Registry of Professional Counselors and Paraprofessionals
Phone: 714-284-8857
Website: www.california-registry.org

The National Board for Certified Counselors
Phone: 336-547-0607
Website: www.nbcc.org

You can learn more about career counseling and the California Career Development Association (CCDA) at: www.ccdaweb.org.

Where do Career Counselors work?

You will find Career Counselors in many of the following settings: public and community agencies; colleges and universities; public schools; community colleges; private practice; mental health centers; rehabilitation services; government, business and industry.

To help you make an informed decision when seeking career assistance, the following information outlines the roles, education, training and credentials of professional Career Counselors.

Professional Career Counselors can be credentialed in two recognized ways; first, they may be certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors; second, by the California Registry of Professional Counselors and Paraprofessionals. To receive either of these credentials, the following "4 E's" are required:

• Education: An accredited Masters degree in Counseling, or closely related field, is required. The degree includes special coursework related to career choice; the use and interpretation of assessment instruments; dealing with the range of life roles and stages as they interact with career issues and in helping clients gain fuller self-understanding. Continuing professional education is required to maintain certification.
• Experience: Two years or 3,000 hours supervised experience in Counseling.
• Ethics: Adherence to the Code of Ethics of the American Counseling Assoc. and/or the National Board for Certified Counselors. To maintain highest professional standards and offer protection to the consumer, the credentialing boards respond to inquiries regarding ethical behavior and are empowered to take disciplinary action when warranted.
• Exam: To become a National Certified Counselor and/or a Registered Professional Counselor, one must pass the National Counselor Examination of the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Who else offers career services?

You may be aware of other occupations offering career help. They differ from professional Career Counselors in that they are not required to meet the above requirements, and the focus of their work also differs. Use the following chart to compare the distinctions among career service providers.

Further Questions for Consumers . . .

The California Career Development Association offers career information for the public and sponsors career events at book stores, schools and other locations throughout California during November Career Month.

*For information on California Career Month and other consumer and press questions, contact the Public Awareness Chair on the Executive Board.

Career Providers - Comparison Chart