What makes someone qualified to serve as a resource for students looking for a safe space? Sylvia Doud, ’94, M.A., a graduate of the School Counseling program Ed. , a current Master’s Plus student in the School Counseling program, feels that the program is preparing her to contribute to that safe space for students as a school counselor.
Doud was employed by The Family Tree, a nonprofit, prior to starting her master’s degree. Eliminating child abuse and neglect in Maryland was the main goal. As a Community Education Specialist, Doud instructed parents in a program on how to create a safe environment for their children who had been taken from them. Doud, a former teacher, acknowledged that she missed teaching and wanted to incorporate this aspect with a thorough education in school counseling.
At the moment, Doud is employed as a school counselor at Baltimore City’s Cristo Ray Jesuit High School. Doud is pursuing the Master’s Plus program, which offers the necessary coursework for students to become a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), to further her studies after completing the initial counseling program. This program offers the six courses that the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors mandates. Doud will begin the process of becoming a licensed counselor after this spring.
- Get more vacation time. …
- Do meaningful work. …
- Perform diverse responsibilities. …
- Enjoy social interaction. …
- Experience self-discovery. …
- Create a safe space. …
- Experience career growth. …
- Enjoy a flexible and autonomous schedule.
Reasons to become a school counselor
Here are 10 reasons to pursue a career as a school counselor, both now and in the future:
1. Get more vacation time
School counselors typically work during the academic semesters and have time off for the summer, spring, and winter breaks because they adhere to school schedules. During this free time, you could organize family vacations or pursue other interests and objectives. There are many summer jobs for school teachers and counselors if you want to work all year.
2. Do meaningful work
You can support yourself financially while assisting students with their developmental, personal, and social issues through your work. A counselor’s primary goal is to help students realize their full potential while other academic professionals mentor students through their studies. You can motivate them to pursue their interests and strengthen their areas of weakness. Your work with these students has an impact on the next generation’s outlook on the world.
3. Perform diverse responsibilities
The varied responsibilities and busy schedules of school counselors make every day exciting. You might meet with students one-on-one one day, then assist the school’s administrators in planning activities and events to improve students’ performance the next day. You could also take part in community outreach initiatives outside of the school to learn more about the living conditions of the students.
4. Enjoy social interaction
Interaction is essential in this field. To carry out their responsibilities, school counselors work in conjunction with students, teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, and social workers. People who are assertive, outgoing, and who enjoy providing advice and education through a variety of formats are the best candidates for this profession.
5. Experience self-discovery
Through your counseling sessions with your students, as a school counselor, you might discover more about yourself. For instance, you see negative emotions change into self-love and acceptance when you assist a child with eating disorders in finding their own identity. Your career development objectives may become more profound if you realize how much you have positively impacted other people’s lives.
6. Create a safe space
School counselors provide a secure, confidential reporting system for students, enabling teachers to become aware of problems before they worsen. Counselors can address personal issues and assist students in growing in confidence as they get older by creating a safe space where kids can voice their worries without fear of repercussion. Counselors may also collaborate with parents to establish secure environments in the home and neighborhood.
7. Experience career growth
Because there is such a high demand for school counselors, you can advance your career while maintaining job security. School counselors occasionally assist with integrating new students into the school. Because they are aware that assistance is available should they need it, many parents prefer sending their kids to schools that have counselors. You might establish yourself as a key employee by providing administrative and growth support to schools.
8. Enjoy a flexible and autonomous schedule
Despite daily caseloads to complete, school counselors have autonomy in their work. You can schedule your day however you want at many educational institutions, and you can meet with students whenever you like. This freedom helps create a positive work environment. Because they rarely work after schools close, on weekends, or during breaks, school counselors also have flexible work schedules.
9. Enhance teaching efficacy
School counselors collaborate with teachers to help students reach their educational goals, which helps to improve the effectiveness of teaching. Both professionals plan for classroom sessions and incorporate guidance and theory to develop the students’ skills. Counselors assess each student’s behavior and aptitude for learning using specific exercises and methods. They share this information with the students teachers.
10. Connect parents and students
Many educational institutions host parent-teacher meetings. Similar to this, school counselors may arrange parent-student conferences to assist parents in understanding the objectives of their children. Parents can ask questions in a friendly environment during the sessions, and then afterward, counselors can discuss the goals of their children.
10 jobs for prospective school counselors
School counselors can work with a range of students, including adults seeking career advice and 5-year-olds in kindergarten. Obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree is the first requirement to work in this field. Licenses are needed in every state, and some employers favor applicants with a master’s degree in a related field. One of these ten jobs would be a good place to start your career if you want to work as a school counselor:
Health educators’ main responsibilities are to inform people, groups, and communities about wellness-related issues that affect them. They determine the needs of their clients, develop appropriate programs, and take necessary action. Health professionals may instruct teenagers about their personal health or create educational materials about nutritious diets. They create grant proposals in order to secure funding for health education curricula.
Sports coaches’ main responsibilities are to instruct, counsel, and inspire players of all ages to reach their full potential. They design and deliver training sessions that impart effective skills and strategies to teams. As teams compete, coaches evaluate performance to determine the strengths and weaknesses of each player. They give feedback to encourage personal and physical development.
Disability case managers’ main responsibilities include assisting clients with filing disability claims, selecting healthcare and therapy providers, and determining when to return to work. Disability case managers may also provide care services in hospitals, assisted living facilities, or residential facilities that provide healthcare. In some jobs, people with disabilities like cerebral palsy or autism are involved. To help people have a high quality of life in these situations, these case managers offer in-home care and other expert services.
Preschool teachers’ main responsibilities are to educate and care for young children under the age of four. They impart fundamental lessons that aid children in acquiring critical social skills. In addition to teaching children appropriate behavior, preschool teachers also keep an eye on classes, extracurricular activities, and meals.
Primary responsibilities: Substance abuse counselors are mental health professionals who assist clients in overcoming alcohol and drug dependence. They keep an eye on their patients to gauge treatment success and spot behaviors that hinder recovery. To control addictive behavior, they work in conjunction with correctional agencies, healthcare facilities, and social workers.
Primary duties: Child welfare specialists protect childrens well-being. They conduct investigations into allegations of neglect or abuse, determine whether parents and guardians can provide suitable child care, and determine whether a child needs foster or adoptive parents while on site at homes. They also perform administrative tasks such as maintaining case files.
Primary responsibilities: Psychiatric technicians care for patients with developmental disabilities or mental health conditions under the supervision of licensed professionals, like doctors. They keep an eye on patients to spot erratic behavior, and their findings inform treatment strategies. They also interact with clients and have strong interpersonal skills.
Primary responsibilities: Assisting social workers with their daily tasks of assisting those in need They coordinate community services like medical aid, food stamps, and rent subsidies as well as provide research support. They organize and direct group events, like sporting competitions or exercise classes.
Police officers’ main responsibilities are to uphold the law and safeguard the public. Additionally, they conduct patrols in designated areas to ensure that citizens obey the law, look into accidents or crimes, and detain criminal suspects When incidents occur in the areas they are responsible for, police officers file reports. They also take part in community safety initiatives as a preventative measure to stop crime.
Psychological assistants’ main responsibilities are to assist certified psychologists with a variety of daily activities. They design and evaluate mental health initiatives for kids, adults, groups, and families. To meet clients’ needs, psychological assistants frequently seek the advice of other experts, including primary care physicians and social workers.
Why I Left School Counseling: Pros and Cons of the Field
FAQ
Why do I love being a school counselor?
Being a school counselor is the most fulfilling and valuable thing because you get to change lives. Helping students and families become enthusiastic about the future and all that life has to offer is amazing.
What are the advantages of being a school counselor?
Benefits that are part of the package for many school counselors include health, vision, and dental insurance. Additionally, they could benefit from flexible spending accounts, retirement plans, professional development assistants, and employee assistance programs.
How do you answer why do you want to be a counselor?
Example: I like knowing that I can offer them support when they need it by utilizing my compassion and empathy. I am enthusiastic about pursuing this career so I can assist others with their mental health issues. I believe I have many valuable skills that can help me succeed as a mental health counselor. “.
What is the main purpose of a school counselor?
They support all students’ academic success, personal/social growth, and career development, ensuring that today’s students grow up to be responsible, well-adjusted adults. School counselors can fight to make sure that every student has access to and succeeds in a demanding academic curriculum.
