Financial counseling is one of the most rewarding professions in the credit union industry. Counseling doesn’t just change the lives of the credit union’s members; it also changes the lives of counselors themselves.

Among the peak benefits of the job:

Interaction

If you’re a people person, counseling is the career you were made for. You don’t just meet people; you get to know them on a personal level as they welcome you into their lives.

Solving Puzzles

People’s financial difficulties vary heavily in size, scope and cause, so every member you work with as a counselor represents a unique challenge. The enormous breadth and constant variety of potential problems (and solutions) makes the work both intellectually demanding and highly stimulating.

Job Prospects

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the field of financial advising to grow by 30% between 2014 and 2024.

Making a Difference

Of all the jobs at a credit union, a financial counselor may be the one with the most direct, tangible impact on people’s well-being. Money is the number-one cause of stress for Americans, according to the American Psychological Association, and the effects of this can be both physically and emotionally draining. By helping members escape fiscal peril, you’re lifting a huge burden off their shoulders and freeing them to live better lives.

Becoming a Counselor

Before you can become a counselor, you need training and certification to prove to credit unions that you have the combination of personal finance expertise and communication skills to succeed.

CUNA Financial Counseling Certification Program (FiCEP) is a great way to earn your stripes. Through your choice of an eSchool or self-study books, this program provides a comprehensive counseling education and upon completion allows you to earn the Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) designation.

This kind of professional development is the first step to a long, successful career as a financial counselor, one that’s as exciting as it is fulfilling.

To learn more about CUNA FiCEP and the CCUFC designation, please visit cuna.org/ficep.