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Career Guidance Technicians

THE JOB

CAREER GUIDANCE TECHNICIANS assist students, job-seekers and displaced
workers to plan their employment futures.  Career Guidance Technicians
are responsible for soliciting, collecting, organizing and distributing
career and educational information which is received by the school.
They may publicize and promote the use of the career center and schedule
special presentations and speakers. They also administer and score
vocational interest and aptitude tests and use automated career guidance
systems.  Career Guidance Technicians may also train and supervise
assistants and student workers.

Career Guidance Technicians work closely with career counselors to
develop and operate comprehensive career guidance and education centers
by gathering job information from schools and employers.  Consequently,
Career Guidance Technicians are the link between this information and
its users: students, job seekers, displaced workers, counselors,
teachers, administrators, and parents.  Technicians may also act as
liaison to community based training programs  and organizations.  To be
an effective liaison, Career Guidance Technicians need to stay informed
with current labor market information, including job prospects,
salaries, training opportunities and requirements.  Therefore,
Technicians must read career and counseling literature and maintain
contact with industry and government recruiters.

Career Guidance Technicians are usually responsible for keeping
equipment in good condition and for training other users.  Career
guidance centers may have computers with Internet access.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Career Guidance Technicians work in a pleasant environment.  Career
centers are usually located inside schools and are well lighted and air
conditioned.  Technicians spend time sitting behind a desk, but they
may also give presentations. Career Guidance Technicians should have
the ability to deal with many different people on a weekly basis.  They
help students and job seekers use the career center resources, schedule
counseling sessions, attend meetings, make presentations, and answer
telephone calls.  The work is usually performed with little supervision
during the nine to ten-month school year.

Career Guidance Technicians are expected to exercise considerable
independence, patience, diligence and persistence in performing their
duties.  Information for emerging occupations is often difficult to
obtain, therefore, community contacts are important to keep informed of
trends.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

Career Guidance Technicians are classified among the broad category of
General Office Clerks.  The following information is from the California
Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information
Division.

Estimated number of workers in 1993     387,680
Estimated number of workers by 2005     451,780
Projected Growth 1993-2005                  17%
Openings due to separations by 2005     113,830

(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to
turnover.)

Career Guidance Technician is a relatively small occupation under the
broad category of General Office Clerks.  As with many school-related
occupations, employment opportunities depend on school enrollment.  If
the number of students increase, the number of Career Guidance
Technicians may increase as well.  However, the supply of applicants is
sufficient, with job opportunities expected to remain the same.

The growing interest in helping students and others to evaluate career
goals and to make career choices may help to create future job
opportunities.  Since large companies have created career centers for
employee development, Technician positions are also available in the
private industry.  If this trend continues, it might create an
additional demand for Technicians.


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

The median wage reported for Career Guidance Technicians is $9.72 per
hour.  Some Technicians receive a higher wage for working evenings
instead of the normal day shift.  Career centers are usually open for
students enrolled in night classes; therefore, evening hours are often
part of the work schedule. Most Technicians work a 9 or 10-month school
year.  Certified Technicians may receive higher pay per hour in the
larger educational institutions.

Most school districts offer fringe benefits such as medical and dental
insurance, sick leave, paid vacation, and retirement programs.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

A high school education, or its equivalent, and related experience are
often required by employers.  Some employers prefer two years of college
coursework.  Some schools and colleges seek applicants with Career
Guidance Technician Certificates.  Training in an undergraduate
certificate program is available through several California state
universities.  However, the certificate is not a requirement for
working in many settings.  Work experience in businesses, or an
internship in a career guidance office are helpful.  Some enter the
field as aides or part-time workers.

Technicians should have good clerical skills, knowledge of record
keeping techniques and standard office procedures, and the ability to
type with sufficient skill to enter data into word processors and
personal computers.  They should also have some familiarity with audio-
visual equipment such as video-tape recorders, microfiche readers,
projectors, film and slide projectors, and personal computers.  Being
familiar with Internet Research methods is also a plus.

Career Guidance Technicians should possess a basic understanding of
career alternatives and requirements so that appropriate assessment
tools, college and community resources can be utilized.  They should
also be familiar with the basic instruments and techniques for career
assessment and vocational interests.

The ability to communicate effectively is an essential asset because
Technicians must explain career center resources to users individually
and collectively.  They must be able work cooperatively with teachers
and other staff, maintaining good working relationships.  Interpersonal
skills involve the use of tact, patience, and courtesy.


ADVANCEMENT

Experienced Technicians can advance from a high school center to a
college or university career guidance center.  Some Career Guidance
Technicians continue their education to obtain a Masters Degree in
counseling and become Vocational or School Counselors.


FINDING THE JOB

Most Career Guidance Technicians apply directly to high school
districts, colleges and/or universities.  A written examination and oral
interview are usually part of the hiring process.  A list of openings is
usually available from the California Association for Counseling and
Development.  College students may  locate jobs through the school job
placement office or the California Employment Development Department Job
Services office.


ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

California Association for Counseling and Development
2555 East Chapman Avenue, Suite 201
Fullerton, CA  92831
(714) 871-6460
www.cacd.org./


RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Occupational Therapists                 No. 143
Library Assistants                      No. 417
Counselors, Rehabilitation & School     No. 429


OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed., 1991)
Career Guidance Technician            249.367-014

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
General Office Clerks    553470


Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
        Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
        (916) 262-2162.