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Career Exploration
School of Mental Health Counseling, Liberty University
AUTHOR NOTE
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Introduction
O* Net Online obtained the career field and occupation of choice information from O*Net
Online (National Center for Career Development, 2021). There was a limitation of O*Net, but
there were lots of advantages. The career that I have chosen to explore does not wholly fit with
interest and somewhat aligns with my values. However, the occupational characteristics and
requirements work with my career and the goals I have chosen. The advantage of O*NET use
during counseling is that it is an easy access tool for counsels; to help their clients see how they
can meet their career goals, which is in their best interest. The limitation that I see in using
O*NET as a counselor is that some of the information does not align with how the client thinks
about their future career path. The O*NET will group the different professionals if there is not
enough information given. The occupation I have chosen is Mental Health Counseling. My
occupation O*NET SOC code is 21-1014.00. My three primary Holland codes are social,
enterprising, and conventional, with my lowest scores in realistic and investigative categories.
The interest code is SIA.
Nature of the Work
Mental Health Counselor has several different titles, such as Behavioral Analyst, Behavior
Support Specialist(BSS), Case Manager, Clinician, Correctional Counselor, Counselor, Mental
Health Specialist, Mental Health Therapist, and Therapist. A Mental Health Counselor can treat
clients that are dealing with several mental health issues. The nature of a Mental Health
Counselor's work is to provide the client with personal assistance and any medical attention
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needed. Mental Health counselors must collect information on the clients, keep records maintain
information in writing or electronic/magnetic forms. Although they must stay within the
guidelines required by programs and regulations; they must have the skills to talk to others
effectively. They must have active listening skills of a person who can give a client full attention
to what the client is saying, be able to help the clients, and paraphrase and summarize the
information.
Activities that a Mental Health Counselor may also perform at work are varied. They will write
up reports on clients' issues or evaluations. Counselors are called to intervene in the crisis to
assist clients. They not only teach clients life skills and strategies, but they also help their family
members. Counselors can give clients the tools they need to cope and deal with their problems.
They can help the clients translate their problems and provide the information they need to use
the guidance.
Work Conditions
A Mental Health Counselor will work in various settings, including mental health centers,
prisons, probation or parole agencies, schools, and juvenile detention facilities. They also work
in halfway houses, detox centers, or employee assistance programs (EAPs). Some addiction
counselors work in residential treatment centers, where clients live in the facility for a fixed
period. The other will operate outpatient treatment centers. Counselors that work in a private
practice where they work along or with other professionals. This job can be rewarding and
overwhelming because of the workload. They cannot always meet the demands out there because
they aren't privileged to many resources. Counselors work full time; in some settings, some
facilities may work evenings, nights, or weekends.
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Counselors work independently depending on the facility they chose to work at; stress comes
with being a counselor, depending on the clients and their workload.
Preparation and Qualifications
This career requires at least a bachelor's degree. Although educational requirements can vary
from a high school diploma and certification to a master's degree for substance abuse and
behavioral disorder counselors, a master's degree and an internship are typically required to
become a mental health counselor. Although mental health counselor requires a bachelor's
degree; having a master's degree, the counselor can provide more services to the clients, such as
private one-on-one counseling sessions, and requires less supervision all states require licensed
mental health counselors to have a master's degree and 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised
clinical experienced and to pass an exam (Bureau of Labor Statistic, U.S. Department 2021).
A mental health counselor needs skills are active listening, social perceptiveness, service
orientation, speaking, and critical thinking. They will also have to have compassion for their
clients because they are dealing with clients that dealing with many issues and challenging
situations, interpersonal skills, and patience. Although counselors need degrees to become
counselors, when they have personal experience overcoming alcohol or drug addictions, they are
viewed as especially helpful and insightful to those seeking treatment.
Opportunities and Future Outlook
The mental health counseling workforce as of 2019 is 319,400. This career is projected to
increase to 398,400 by 2029 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections
program). The geographic profile for this occupation shows the list of the highest published
employment, location quotients, and wages are California, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York,
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and Massachusetts. The National estimates wage for mental health counselors is 139, 820.
Although this is the occupation that I chose, I must remember that most people leave this field
after a few years. However, most people leave this field, their excellent job stability, and job
security.
Economic and Non-Economic Benefits
The average earning in Virginia for a Mental Health Counselor is $79,840 annually (U.S.
Department of Labor, Employment and Training, 2019-2029). The national average earnings for
this job are slightly higher, at $78,700 (U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training
2019-2029). There is no benefits package or terms of insurance for his occupation. The benefit
will be part of the salary pay, depend on the job. Mental Health counselors usually are self-
employed or contract workers. This can allow them to be able to work flexible hours and a
feeling of independent work. Their satisfaction is higher because of helping their clients.
Counselor lifestyle can depend on their workload, but overall, it has its achievements and
prestige. They can make enough money to live a comfortable life.
Disadvantages and/or Special Situations
The disadvantage of being a mental health counselor is working in some facilities requiring
them to work evenings, nights, and weekends, mostly in inpatient facilities Bureau of Labor
Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2021). The O*Net gives information that helps with
education and skills sets that will help choose a career and know the requirements. It also
provides the projection with details that allow people to see and understand where their career
field could lead them in the future. Counselors will have to work overtime due to their overload
of work. This career has several other disadvantages of this career are as following (complex
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patients, difficult o-workers, stress, physical demand, and emotional strain). Traveling as a
mental health counselor does exist in a variety of specializations and treatments. In this career,
traveling does not usually happen unless you work out of a medical facility and receive a state of
traveling assignments, sometimes with settings abroad. The hazards of being a mental health
counselor are depression, anxiety, frequent errors, and isolation from family and colleagues, and
it can develop into stress, discomfort, or even danger. Counselors must be aware of being attack
by clients, although this rarely happens.
Conclusion
The aspects of mental health counselor characteristics and requirements that appeal to me are
patient, good listening, observant, and empathy for people. I have served as a Noncommissioned
officer, having to counselor junior soldiers. I knew all the aspect of this occupation was
something I had already done for over 20years in the military, and I was good at it: the
economics and benefits and the opportunity to help others. I was not surprised by any of the
occupation characteristics or requirements for mental health counselors because I am familiar
with the work that comes with this occupation, and I have done some similar jobs. Although I
know the one thing that I have learned about myself is that I am as compassionate as I thought I
was, also I have what it will take to be a good counselor. This career I may have what it takes it
do have economic benefits. The characteristics and requirements fit my current interest and
values; because I love to help people, and I am a good problem solver.
That fits with my recent interest and values because I have good listening skills and problem-
solving skills. I am interested in working with people and assisting others in coping with their
issues and problems. The value I have are to help people that needs help; mental health
counselors do precisely that. This career will help to fit in my career goal because my goal is to
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help others to reach their goals and to be able to live a happy and productive life. The
disadvantage of working as a mental health counselor is that the job can be emotional.
The hours can also be irregular, but it depends on the facility they chose to work. The
advantage of the O*Net is that it is easy to access, it updates frequently, and it is free. The O*Net
gives the data o occupational information. It helps job seekers understand work in the field that
they may be interested in the United States. The limitation of the O*Net is that some of the
information can be adjective. Career Exploration will help in my future practice because I can
use it to help clients seek the jobs available. It will also help give them the tool to identify their
career and preference through their self-assessment.
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References
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor (2021, April 9). Secondary Counseling.
Outlook Handbook website https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-
service/substance- abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm
Career Development Interventions, Spencer G. Niles; JoAnn E Harris (chapter 11 and 12).
CareerOneStop (2021). https://www.careeronestop.org 21-1014.00
Five-Factor Personality Traits as Predictor of Career Maturity, By: Atli, Abdullah. Eurasian
Journal of Educational Research, n68 p151-165 2017. (EJ1148904).
National Center for O*Net Development. (2021).Summary Report: Mental Health Counselors.
(O*Net Report No. 21-104.00). Retrieved from O*Net Online website:
https://www.online.org/link/summary/2-1014.00
