Considering a guidance counselor career after military career, need help, opinions, feedback, etc...

Question

Well, I'm only in H.S., but I have a decent feel for what I want to do when I grow up. I'm thinking military because I would love to serve my country and I think I would be good at it and have fun too. The two main branches I am leaning towards are the Coast Guard and Navy, CG a little more. But I have another "passion" you may call it at looking at colleges. I don't know why but ever since I was in like 5th grade I liked to go to different colleges websites and see what majors the offer, what they specialize in etc... So I'm thinking more of a college counselor, but I could be a regular guidance counselor too(I'm thinking more H.S.).

So I guess the main gist of my question is, do I have to major in something specific? I want to major in Poli Sci, but I could double major in Counseling and go back and get a masters. Do I have to be certified?

Also, how intriguing of a hire would I be: 20 years of military service with counselor certification(I'm an Eagle Scout too, if that helps any), but I would start out salary wise like a 24 year old, fresh out of grad school?

Comments, feedback?

Thanks, sorry for the long, maybe confusing read.

Answer 1

I'm not sure about the military thing since I have no experience with it - but I can tell you about a guidance career.

Guidance used to be a place where teachers who didn't want to teach anymore moved into - they would get a masters degree and wait for a spot to open up - voila, payraise and no more classes.

Does that make the best counselors? No way.  So now, schools are also looking at people who have outside experience plus the master's degree.  There are specific degrees for guidance counseling, and yes, you need certification.  Check out collegesource.org to see what schools offer the degree.  

If you are thinking of this as a career before even going to college, you might consider Psychology or Education for a bachelor's degree.  Then again, I really encourage you to take advantage of all the courses your college has to offer so you can experience all types of industries.  AND, if you are interested in Political Science, it will not at all hurt your chances of getting into guidance, because you have to get the masters anyway.

Hope this helps - best of luck to you!