The Preparation of Elementary School Counselors for Career Development: What Exists—What Is Needed

Preparing Elementary School Counselors to Promote Career Development

“…In many cases, this will require necessary changes to curriculum to incorporate elementary school counseling career development activities. Emmett (1997) found that 18 of the 40 Counsel for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) schools reported modifications to their career course for future elementary school counselors. Yet, many of these modifications were theoretical in nature and there is little guidance in the literature for instilling elementary career competencies.…”

“…CACREP (2009) list standards for school counseling programs, which include career counseling, yet Emmett (1997) found that less than half of CACREP programs in a study modified their program to include resources, materials, experiences, and information specific to school counselors intending to work at the elementary level. If school counselors are to be successful at delivering career guidance, they need to become familiar with the appropriate tools that will aid in their work.…”

“…However, while attention has been given to career development in secondary schools, the elementary level is largely ignored in the professional literature, professional practice, and in many training programs. Indeed, while many school counselor preparation programs include a career counseling/development course, few make any adjustments for the needs of future elementary school counselors (Emmett, 1997). This leaves many elementary school counselors without the proper training and support to facilitate career development in their young students.…”

Undergraduates mediating kids’ college knowledge

“…Students in elementary schools seem to go unnoticed in these college-going efforts (ACT, 2009;Wood & Kaszubowski, 2008). While there are very few studies examining young children's development of college aspirations (Knight, 2015), we know the early years are crucial to developing college readiness (ACT, 2008;Emmett, 1997). How do we help young children develop a college-going mindset?…”