Preparing Elementary School Counselors to Promote Career Development: Recommendations for School Counselor Education Programs

Career development at the elementary level is an important developmental function to ensure all students graduate college and career ready. However, the training and continuing education needs of elementary school counselors have been largely ignored in the professional literature and in training programs. This article explores the theoretical and empirical support for career development at the primary level and the challenges in training elementary school counselors. Recommendations for modifications to school counselor educator programs are offered, and future research and continuing education needs for school counselors are explored.