After years of schooling and investigation into a field of interest, many professionals find that they are rewarded not only through compensation, but though a satisfaction inherent in their craft. School counselors are among those whose successes cannot be measured by profit margins, but instead by smiles and progress.

Rick Williams, a school counselor and Colorado's Ridgway secondary school, was recently named Counselor of the Month by the Colorado Council on High School College Relations, TellurideWatch.com reports.

The counselor was honored at the April 29 meeting of the Ridgway School Board.

Jim Hobbs, the principal of the Ridgway Secondary School, told the news source, "He is definitely in contact with the Colorado Department of Education on a regular basis looking for ways to improve our students' success."

He added, "He helps the students in every way he can through that process."

Specifically, Hobbs mentioned that 31 students in this year's graduating class have received more than $1.5 million in college grants and scholarships.

According to government statistics, the employment of counselors is expected to rise by about 18% through 2018.