Career Resource Hub:

School of Counseling Hub

Are you transitioning into the counseling field or looking to advance your career?  Check out these resources and tools to prepare for your next career move.

1. Take the short How Can We Help You? career quiz.  You will receive a list of career resources based on your career goals.
2. Review the Career Exploration page. 
3. Research career paths in counseling and related fields on O*Net or MyPlan
4. Visit the WaldenU.edu website to learn about career options recommended for your degree program.
5. Create a Career Plan to organize your career and professional activities.

These tools can help you locate potential field sites, market your skills and qualifications, and communicate with counseling professionals.

1. Watch Field Experience webinars and videos on the following topics:
    
   • Welcome Video for Counseling Students
   • Marketing Yourself for Counseling Field Experience
   • Locating Counseling Field Experience Sites 
   • Communicating with Potential Field Experience Sites 
2. Review the Career Planning Resources for Field Experience page.

3. Use the Walden Job and Internship Search Locator, GoinGlobal, and interest-specific job boards for Social and Behavioral Sciences fields to expand your field site search.

For additional information on the Field Experience process, please visit the main Counseling Field Experience website.
 

Are you looking to create an impactful resume or CV to apply for field sites or job opportunities?  Take these steps to communicate your academic and professional skills:

1. Review these Counseling samples for ideas on how to improve your documents (IMPORTANT: these templates are here to guide you; remember to use your own language when creating your documents):

• MS Counseling-Resume Pre-Field
• MS Counseling-Resume Post-Field
• PhD Counselor Education and Supervision-Beginner
• PhD Counselor Education and Supervision-Advanced

2. Visit SkillsFirst to view additional resume and CV samples. Refer to the  SkillsFirst Resume and Letter Guide for instructions on how to get started with SkillsFirst.
3. Explore the Resumes & More tab for additional resume-writing tips.  Remember to always bring your best self forward on your resume by including a professional-looking email address and a phone number with a professional-sounding voice mail greeting. 
4. If you are in the PhD CES program, use the Curriculum Vitae Guide to fine-tune your academic CV.

Create a cover letter for field sites searches that captures your work and volunteer experience, education, and qualifications.   

1. Review these Counseling cover letter samples for ideas on how to improve your documents (IMPORTANT: these templates are here to guide you; remember to use your own language when creating your documents):

• MS Counseling Field Experience Cover Letter
• PhD Counselor Education and Supervision Cover Letter

2. Visit the Resumes & More tab to gain additional cover letter writing tips, review outlines, and watch career skills videos.
3. Build a cover letter using SkillsFirst. Refer to the  SkillsFirst Resume and Letter Guide for instructions on how to get started with SkillsFirst.

Stand out to potential field sites and employers by creating an e-portfolio to showcase your academic and professional achievements.

1. Log into SkillsFirst using your Walden credentials to build an e-portfolio.  Inside SkillsFirst, you will find the SOC Professional Practice Portfolio template.  You can use this template to create your document.
2. Refer to the Portfolio Guide for step-by-step instructions on how to create, edit, and share your portfolio.

Take steps to polish your image and shine through your professional brand. Watch this video to learn more:

Uncover internship/practicum or employment possibilities by strengthening your online and offline networks, engaging in professional activities, and enhancing your professional image.

1. Gain tips to boost your online presence and learn how to connect with professionals by watching Launching with LinkedIn
2. Join a Professional Association related to the counseling field.  Here are several associations to consider:
   ​American Counseling Association (ACA)
   National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
   Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)

   Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
   American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
   American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

   For additional associations and professional development sites, visit the Networking tab. Engage in the Walden community through student organizations and find opportunities to network at professional conferences.

Take on student leadership roles, manage activities and events, inspire others, and contribute to Walden’s community of care. Become a student leader and help oversee these School of Counseling activities and others: 

• Global Citizens
• Solidarity Circles
• Learning Communities Conference (between quarters)
• Coffee Klatsch (last Thursday of the month social hour)
• Book Club/Counseling Connections
• Social events on ground - held during commencement, pre-prac/RESI
• Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society
• Tapestry
• Conscious Black Men group

Find mentors and support for professional and academic success:

• 10-week mentoring with a faculty member
• 2-quarter mentoring with a doctoral student
• Week 5 theories deep dive
• Supervision track training (between quarters)

Interested in participating in or leading any (or all) of these groups and activities?  Contact socstudentactivities@mail.waldenu.edu for more information.

Get ready to show potential field sites and employers that you are the best candidate for the opportunity you are seeking.

1. Log into SkillsFirst and use the Interview Prep tool to practice your interviewing skills. Refer to the step-by-step School of Counseling Interview Guide to access 13 custom Interview Questions and Coaching Answers specifically for Counseling Field Experience students.
2. Learn more about effective interview strategies on the Interviews tab.
3. Read a blog story on preparing for a variety of interview formats including one-on-one, group, and panel interviews.
4. Watch the Interview Strategies video below to learn how to tackle tough interview questions.

Whether you are currently enrolled in the PhD Counselor Education and Supervision program or considering pursuing a doctoral degree in the future, these resources can help expand your knowledge of doctoral level careers.

1. Doctoral Resources page: one-stop page for doctoral-level career exploration and preparation.
2. Doctoral Career Pathways Conference recordings and guides: There are four sessions for you to explore: 

• Six common doctoral career paths
• How to gain experience
• Ways to market academic and professional skills
• Tools for career planning