Career counselors meet with students or adults to talk about their interests, grades, and goals. They ask questions and write notes to help people decide what jobs or training programs to pursue. They show students how to search for colleges, trade schools, or job openings using online tools. They help people fill out applications, resumes, and financial aid forms step by step. They track student progress by keeping records of meetings and updating plans in a computer system. They also connect people with resources like internships, job fairs, or training programs.
Most career counselors earn a bachelor’s degree in counseling, psychology, education, or human resources. During college, students complete assignments like writing case notes, practicing mock advising sessions, and learning how to use student tracking systems. Many programs require internships where students meet with real clients, document sessions, and help with career planning activities. After graduating, entry-level roles require meeting with clients, documenting conversations in case management software, and helping people complete applications for school or jobs. Some roles may require additional certification or a master’s degree depending on the employer. While most roles are commonly associated with counseling students, increasingly there is a need for helping career changers as they navigate the complexities of technology and AI impact. For that reason the schools listed in the Top 25 are those that excel in HR (Human Resources). For High School and College Counseling, Psychology or Education degrees would be better, but for those local or state schools would be the best option.
| School | Location | Distance from ZIP Code 61615 |
|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, Michigan | ~330 miles |
| University of Rochester | Rochester, New York | ~700 miles |
| Pennsylvania State University | University Park, Pennsylvania | ~700 miles |
| Cornell University | Ithaca, New York | ~750 miles |
| University of Minnesota - Twin Cities | Minneapolis, Minnesota | ~400 miles |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | ~800 miles |
| Stanford University | Stanford, California | ~2100 miles |
| Arizona State University - Tempe | Tempe, Arizona | ~1600 miles |
| University of Washington - Seattle | Seattle, Washington | ~2000 miles |
| Columbia University | New York, New York | ~800 miles |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, Massachusetts | ~1000 miles |
| University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign | Champaign, Illinois | ~90 miles |
| University of Wisconsin - Madison | Madison, Wisconsin | ~250 miles |
| Rutgers University - New Brunswick | New Brunswick, New Jersey | ~800 miles |
| Michigan State University | East Lansing, Michigan | ~330 miles |
| New York University | New York, New York | ~800 miles |
| University of Texas at Austin | Austin, Texas | ~1000 miles |
| Purdue University | West Lafayette, Indiana | ~200 miles |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, California | ~2000 miles |
| University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | ~500 miles |
| University of Virginia | Charlottesville, Virginia | ~700 miles |
| Ohio State University | Columbus, Ohio | ~350 miles |
| Texas A&M University - College Station | College Station, Texas | ~900 miles |
| University of California - Los Angeles | Los Angeles, California | ~2000 miles |
| University of Maryland - College Park | College Park, Maryland | ~700 miles |
Employers look for candidates who can meet one-on-one with students and document conversations in advising or case management systems. Strong applicants can explain college applications, financial aid forms, and career options step by step using real examples. Hiring managers expect candidates to track student progress, schedule meetings, and update plans in a database or student system. Candidates stand out when they have completed internships where they guided students through applications, resumes, or career planning activities. Employers also value candidates who can organize workshops, present information to groups, and connect students with specific programs or job opportunities. When advising career-changers, often you might choose to start your own private consultant firm. For that, case developing a great understanding of hiring practices (often through corporate HR experience) and workplace trends, along with staying abreast of technology and AI impact on various industries and identifying suitable tools and training programs to stay current will benefit you the most.