Counselor

Overview

While this career may not immediately come to mind, every student has talked with their school counselor. Now, more than ever, school counselors are needed to help students adapt to school environments, cope with stress at school or home, and cultivate the needed skills to succeed in the future. Along with responsibilities such as handling student schedules, writing college recommendations, and college counseling, school counselors also meet with students to provide emotional support and guide them through their school years. School counselors are one of the most trusted adults on campus for many students and act as an advisor, advocate, and auditor for the students at their school. For elementary school, counselors mainly focus on instilling life skills such as decision-making, managing stress/grief, and communication skills. In middle and high schools, a counselor’s duties shift to listening to students’ problems and advising them on college and career options. Being a counselor is a great way to interact with a variety of different students and make a difference in their futures.

Requirements

In order to become a school counselor, the first step is a bachelor’s degree. It can be any major but those who know they want to become a counselor early on usually get their degree in counseling, psychology, or child development. After the 4 years it takes to complete a bachelor's degree, a master’s in school counseling is required by all states. After another 2 years, aspiring counselors will complete a school counseling internship similar to a student teaching role in classrooms. Finally, the counselor must pass their state’s required exams and apply for a license. Sometimes, schools may prefer their counselors have teaching credentials and experience in the classroom so that they are comfortable around students, encouraging teachers to switch to become a counselor. 

What Can A High School Student Do?

• Get to know your school counselor and ask them questions about their job
• Hone your listening and communication skills 
• Volunteer with students 
• Tutor students/siblings
• Enroll in classes such as psychology, social studies, AP Human Geography, Model UN, or Speech and Debate

Please check out the sources below, they have links connecting more websites to further your research! 

• https://www.schoolcounselor.org/administrators/role-of-the-school-counselor
• https://www.schoolcounselor.org/parents-public
• https://www.cui.edu/en-us/academicprograms/graduate/maed/school-counseling
• https://www.alliant.edu/blog/school-psychologist-vs-school-counselor-whats-difference