We surveyed 5,239 counselors to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical counselor. Here are the results.

How much intelligence is required as a counselor?

Low

High

Working as a counselor typically doesn’t require the use of high levels of intelligence in daily tasks.

Can I learn to become a counselor?

Intrinsic Talent

Acquired Talent

A career as a counselor typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.

Is it easy to get a job as a counselor?

Easy

Hard

It’s typically difficult to find a job as a counselor.

Info

Do counselors work full-time or part-time?

67% of counselors work in full-time roles while 33% work part-time.

Is being a counselor stressful?

Low

High

Stress is not uncommon amongst counselors, with daily work sometimes being quite demanding.

Is being organized important as a counselor?

Low

High

Organization is not considered a particuarly important part of being a counselor.

How competitive is the workplace for counselors?

Low

High

Competition at work is not common for counselors.

Does being a counselor require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?

Low

High

Time pressure tends not to be a major contributor of stress for counselors.

Are counselors allowed to express themselves creatively?

Low

High

Counselors are afforded a certain level of ability to express themselves creatively, compared to other careers.

Do counselors have control over the direction of their work?

Low

High

While sometimes the direction is set, occasionally counselors will have some flexibility over the direction of their work.

Is being a counselor physically demanding?

Low

High

Work as a counselors is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.

Are counselors exposed to a wide variety of work?

Low

High

While sometimes repetitive, counselors tend to have opportunities for variety in their work.

Does being a counselor require attention to detail?

Low

High

As in many careers, attention to detail is quite helpful for counselors.

Does being a good counselor require compassion and empathy?

Low

High

Strong compassion and empathy are critical to success as a counselor.