What to Expect

Career counseling programs are offered at the graduate level -- which means students may find them more challenging than a typical undergrad program.

"Any graduate-level training is bound to be intense," says Meagan Minvielle. "But one of the advantages of graduate school is that most individuals have made that choice based on a particular interest. I enjoy the field so much, I have chosen to take on more work."

Minvielle specialized in career counseling at Florida State University. She also worked as a graduate assistant, teaching assistant and research assistant. She also had a job (internship) as a career advisor at a career center.

She says she was so busy, she felt like she had two full-time jobs: "work and class during the day and research and studying during the night." But it was all worth it, she adds.

Stacie Vernick is a product of the career counseling program at Florida State University. She agrees that the program can be challenging.

"There are a lot of courses to take and a number of practicum or internship experiences," Vernick says. "There's also certification for counselors, which requires a professional exam."

Vernick also worked in a career center and found it excellent for her education. She says it was like a laboratory for career counselors in training.

Vernick took courses in general counseling theory and techniques, foundations of career development and career development program design and evaluation.

Minvielle says she enjoyed all her courses because she tried to see their relevance to her work. She says the foundations of career development course she took was interesting and really useful. Her statistics course wasn't one of her favorites, but she says the knowledge it provided is essential.

How to Prepare

If you want to get into this field, an interest in helping people is key. Minvielle was a peer counselor in high school. That's what made her realize that what she wanted to do was help others.

She suggests you find out if this is for you by volunteering at your local YMCA or YWCA.

"You will be amazed how much it adds to your personal growth and total experiences toward becoming a professional."