Will AI Replace Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors?

Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.

text generation — Complete program documentation from inputs

Counsel students regarding educational issues, such as course and program selection, class scheduling and registration, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.

interpersonal — Counseling needs trust and accountability

Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.

interpersonal — Crisis intervention requires live presence and action

Counsel individuals or groups to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.

interpersonal — Counseling needs trust and accountability

Review transcripts to ensure that students meet graduation or college entrance requirements, and write letters of recommendation.

text generation — Reports/evaluations drafted; human owns judgment

Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.

interpersonal — Counseling needs trust and accountability

Refer students to outside counseling services.

decision support — Resource navigation aided by AI; human owns case

Refer students to degree programs based on interests, aptitudes, or educational assessments.

decision support — Program matching aided by AI; human executes referral

Evaluate students' or individuals' abilities, interests, and personality characteristics, using tests, records, interviews, or professional sources.

decision support — Eligibility judgment from records, but accountability stays human

Provide students with information on topics such as college degree programs and admission requirements, financial aid opportunities, trade and technical schools, and apprenticeship programs.

interpersonal — Counseling needs trust and accountability

Conduct follow-up interviews with counselees to determine if their needs have been met.

interpersonal — Client background interviews are relational

Instruct individuals in career development techniques, such as job search and application strategies, resume writing, and interview skills.

interpersonal — Teaching life skills to families needs human modeling

Assess needs for assistance, such as rehabilitation, financial aid, or additional vocational training, and refer clients to the appropriate services.

decision support — Needs community engagement and situated judgment

Plan and promote career and employment-related programs and events, such as career planning presentations, work experience programs, job fairs, and career workshops.

text generation — Program info drafted; public presentation human

Attend meetings, educational conferences, and training workshops, and serve on committees.

information retrieval — AI summarizes social services knowledge; human applies

Teach classes and present self-help or information sessions on subjects related to education and career planning.

interpersonal — Leading live classes/events requires human presence

Plan and conduct orientation programs and group conferences to promote the adjustment of individuals to new life experiences, such as starting college.

decision support — Drafts program plans; community engagement and clinical input human

Address community groups, faculty, and staff members to explain available counseling services.

text generation — Program info drafted; public presentation human

Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.

text generation — Complete program documentation from inputs

Provide information for teachers and staff members involved in helping students or graduates identify and pursue employment opportunities.

interpersonal — Sensitive social advice needs human relationship

Collaborate with teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of school programs and in the preparation of master schedules for curriculum offerings.

interpersonal — Program collaboration needs human consensus-building

Plan, direct, and participate in recruitment and enrollment activities.

text generation — Promotional content drafted; human owns institutional relationships

Identify cases of domestic abuse or other family problems and encourage students or parents to seek additional assistance from mental health professionals.

decision support — Home/work hazard assessment needs in-person inspection and judgment

Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to discuss children's progress, resolve behavioral, academic, and other problems, and to determine priorities for students and their resource needs.

interpersonal — Client assessment collaboration is professional judgment

Provide special services such as alcohol and drug prevention programs and classes that teach students to handle conflicts without resorting to violence.

decision support — Drafts program outlines; institutional design and approval human

Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.

interpersonal — Coordinating real-world daily life details with client

Establish and enforce administration policies and rules governing student behavior.

text generation — Drafts policy text; political and legal adoption human

Supervise, train, and direct professional staff and interns.

interpersonal — Social-service skills training demands human modeling

Interview clients to obtain information about employment history, educational background, and career goals, and to identify barriers to employment.

interpersonal — Client background interviews are relational

Compile and study occupational, educational, and economic information to assist counselees in determining and carrying out vocational and educational objectives.

data analysis — Compiling data or documentation is largely automatable

Establish contacts with employers to create internship and employment opportunities for students.

interpersonal — Facilitating program relationships is human networking

Establish and supervise peer-counseling and peer-tutoring programs.

decision support — Drafts program plans; community engagement and clinical input human

Observe students during classroom and play activities to evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.

data analysis — AI grades and tracks metrics; human interprets holistically

Refer qualified counselees to employers or employment services for job placement.

decision support — Program matching aided by AI; human executes referral

Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.

decision support — Drafts program plans; community engagement and clinical input human