07/15/2009
Career Providers Comparison Chart
You may be aware of other occupations offering career help. They differ from professional Career Counselors in that they are not required to meet the certain requirements, and the focus of their work also differs. Use the following chart to compare the distinctions among career service providers.
Career Providers - Comparison Chart
|
Qualifications: |
Professional Counselor/ Career Counselor |
Career Paraprofessional |
Career Consultants |
Career Coach |
|
Education |
Master's Degree in Counseling or closely related area |
Varies with amount of experience, from H.S. to AA to Master's in related areas |
Varies; no standard state or national requirements |
Varies; no standard state or national requirements |
|
Exam |
National Board for Certified Counselors Exam |
California Career Paraprofessional Registry Exam |
None |
No standard state or national exam |
|
Ethics |
Code of Ethics of ACA, NBCC, NCDA |
Code of Ethics of CCE |
No specific code |
No specific code |
|
Experience |
2 Years+ Supervised Experience |
Varies with Education |
Varies with Education |
Varies |
|
Credential |
National Certified Career Counselor; and/or Master Career Counselor |
Global Career Development Facilitator |
None |
Various organizations offer credentials; no uniform standards apply |
|
Credentialing Board |
National Board for Certified Counselors or National Career Development Association |
National Board of Certified Counselors/Center for Credentialing and Education |
None |
No single established and recognized board |
|
Consumer Protection |
Through credentialing Board |
Through Credentialing Board |
No known monitoring organization |
No known monitoring organization |
|
Work Settings |
Private practice, business/industry, community agencies, Community colleges and Universities |
Employed in agencies, schools, government, industry |
Contract with hiring organizations or individuals |
Hired by individuals and/or organizations |
|
Focus of Practice |
Assists with making and implementing career/life decisions and plans. Trained in counseling, career development, assessment and interpretation, use of occupational information. |
Provide career information and resources in settings in which they are employed. May coordinate career centers and related projects. |
Consults regarding one or selected occupations and/or industries. May have expertise or unique information about career entry, or organizational culture. |
Likely to specialize in motivational or strategizing aspects of career transition. |
