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Guidance Counselors

Work Environment

Most guidance counselors have a private office in which to talk with students, parents, and faculty members. But they also work in other parts of the school, leading presentations, coordinating events, and speaking to classes of students. Counselors find it rewarding to help students through their problems, and to help them plan for their futures, but they also have the stress of guiding young people through difficult times.

Guidance counselors usually work more than 40 hours a week, spending a part of each day in conferences and meetings. They often arrive at school earlier than do many other staff members and may return to the school in the evening to talk with parents who are unable to come to the school during working hours.