School Administrators are the people who take care of the day-to-day and long-term operation of the school in which they work. They may be supervisors who direct and lead other teachers and staff members, as in the case of a School Principal, or they may have a particular role in the care of students, as with a School Social Worker.

School Administrators must have a very strong interest in the welfare of their students, combined with excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to motivate students and interact effectively with their parents.

School Administrators—particularly Principals—most often begin their careers as teachers, and prepare for the shift into administration by completing a Master’s degree in Education or a related field. However, School Counselors and School Social Workers usually obtain degrees related to their core functions—Counseling and Social Work— rather than to education, and do not usually have teaching experience.

A Master’s degree is the minimum requirement for these positions. In most states, Principals must also obtain a license, which may include requirements for a Master’s degree, an examination, and on-the-job training. Counselors and Social Workers will also have licensing requirements.

Principals typically earn between $75,000 and $85,000, and salaries for other administrative workers range between $45,000 and $75,000 depending on location, experience, education, and the age of the children in the school.

Career outlook for School Administrator careers is good, and these career areas are expected to grow at an average rate over the next five to seven years, according to the US Department of Labor. The fastest rates of growth are expected in rural and urban areas; however these geographical locations often offer slightly lower salaries than suburban locations.

School Principals are the administrators who manage elementary, middle and high schools. They are responsible for hiring and managing staff, working with teachers to develop the school’s curriculum, reviewing teaching methods and staff skills, and setting goals and objectives for the school. They work closely with other members of staff, including both teachers and other administrators.

School Principals are also responsible for preparing budgets and reports, ensuring that the school meets state and national academic standards, and planning and supervising a wide range of other activities such as repairs and additions to the school.

School Principals should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with students, their parents, and with staff. They should also have excellent administrative skills and leadership abilities, with confidence, good judgment and motivation, and the ability to motivate others.

School Counselors (also known as Guidance Counselors) are involved with facilitating student development in a variety of areas, including personal, social, academic and career development. They are typically most involved with personal, social and behavioral aspects of student development, providing support for students who may have problems with peer pressure, bullying, academic pressure and similar issues.

In addition to working with students, School Counselors will often work:

• with other teachers
• administrators
• with the parents of their students
• and in assessing the needs of students and developing programs to help meet them

School Counselors should have patience, compassion and the ability to inspire trust in their students, as well as excellent interpersonal, communication, and listening skills.

Academic Advisors are administrators who work with students to help them make career choices, and help them plan school and college choices that will enable them to prepare for their chosen career. They will evaluate each student they meet with, assessing their interests, achievements and abilities to help them determine what career choices are most suitable for them. They also provide information to students about careers they are interested in, and help them create short-term and long-term plans and set goals to help them achieve at school and in the future.

Academic Advisors should have excellent interpersonal, communication, and listening skills. They should also have good time-management, organizational, and administrative skills. They will work closely with other school staff as well as students, and should be able to communicate effectively with all types of people. Academic Advisors often play an important and influential role in helping students develop their academic plans, and as such should have a strong desire to promote the welfare of their students.

School Social Workers play an important role in helping students overcome personal and social problems that may have causes at school, at home or elsewhere. They provide support to students and their families, while working closely with other members of school staff and community agencies outside the school for families with particular needs.

The School Social Worker’s job involves meeting with students, families and school staff to determine the nature of student problems, and then to develop solutions that will provide the necessary support to the student and their family. They may also run workshops or classes for students to help them develop social skills, and may be involved in some aspects of school policy-making.

School Social Workers should be patient, compassionate and sensitive to the needs of students and their families. They should have excellent written and verbal communication skills, listening skills, and interpersonal skills. They should also have a certain amount of determination, and the willingness to work with students who may be particularly challenging.