Counselors’ Job Satisfaction across Education Levels and Specialties

Abstract

The study examined job satisfaction of counselors in various specialties and also across educational levels. The researchers administered the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) (Balzer et al., 1997) and the results were analyzed using a multivariate analysis of covariance to measure differences for counselors in regard to satisfaction with the work tasks, present pay, promotion opportunities, supervision, work peers, and overall career. Findings indicated that Doctorate- level counselors were more satisfied with promotion opportunities than Masters-level counselors, and counselor educators were more satisfied with promotion opportunities than mental health, school, or creative arts/other counselors. Ideas for enhancing graduate level career curricula and facilitating exploratory supervision for new counselors are discussed. Keywords: