A school counselor (otherwise known as a guidance counselor) plays a key role that influences a student’s success. The primary aim of a school counselor is to remove obstacles in a student’s way that could hinder their learning or prevent them from reaching their potential. The term ‘school counselor’ can be used in a broad sense, as there are several roles to choose from.

Some people may fit in better working with elementary students, while others may flourish working with middle or high school students. Whatever path you take, there are certain elements and attributes you must possess before qualifying for this role. Here we will give an overview of what a school counselor does, and what skills and credentials you’ll need to step into this position.

School Counselor Overview

A child’s school years are very influential on the rest of their life. During these years, the child will grow into adolescence, before going onto their teenage years. School can be a stressful time in a child’s life. From worrying about getting good marks, to completing homework on time, the experience can be highly overwhelming for anyone, no matter the age.

School counselors are there to support such children and help them flourish academically. School counselors normally work with a variety of students over the school year and assist them with an array of problems. These can include family problems, bullying, substance abuse, and academic issues. School counselors normally work in office settings. However, they may spend time observing students in a classroom. This is to identify and establish the student's needs. According to the ASCA (American School Counselor Association), the ideal caseload for a school counselor is 250 students per school. 

Day-to-Day Duties

Depending on the age of the student and the situation, a school counselor’s duties and responsibilities can vary significantly. Normally, school counselors undertake administrative tasks and advisory assignments. The primary responsibilities of a school counselor include helping students create academic plans which match their strengths and skills and regularly communicating with parents, administrators, and teachers about the student’s progress.

School counselors also collaborate with other staff members, facilitate crisis intervention and prevention programs, and build non-judgmental relationships based on respect and trust. School counselors help students open up to talk about their thoughts and feelings, as well as think about the choices they make going forward. 

In a nutshell, school counselors are there to provide support and guidance for students every step of the way. Whatever age group you want to work with, there are transferable skills and characteristics you must learn and master to help you flourish in the role and, most importantly, give students the assistance they require. 

Work Environment

School counselors may have small or large offices in strategic areas of a school. If you work in an elementary school, you may have a classroom as an office. This can provide a huge advantage, especially if you hold group sessions. However, remember that the whole school is your office. This means that should a student have an emotional episode in a hallway, you will find you need to speak with the student as others are walking by. These kinds of situations can arise when you least expect them.

Working Hours

Most school counselors typically work Monday to Friday, 9-5. However, there may be instances where things get hectic or do not go to plan, which could see your working hours extend beyond this. For example, you may be dealing with a student who is frightened to go home. This situation could take several hours to resolve.

Effective Communication

One of the mandatory traits all school counselors must have is excellent communication skills. After all, a large part of your role will be listening to students and responding in a thoughtful and effective manner. While you may develop communication skills through training, if you are the type of person who loved ones turn to during tough times, you may already possess the strong communication skills needed to work with students. Good communication skills allow you to form a bond with the student and help them trust and respect what you say. As well as communicating with students, you will need to engage with fellow staff members. You must relay important information about their welfare and ensure communication lines stay open. Also, you may need to interact with the parents of students too.

Active Listening

Another key characteristic of a school counselor is the ability to actively listen to the student's needs. Most of your time will be spent listening and processing information provided to you by others. You should always listen to the student first before asking questions. Should you need anything clarifying, make sure to speak up but add details that let the student know you heard what they said in the first place. Active listening helps you connect with students and hear various perspectives. School counselors must give the student time to open up and express how they’re feeling without interjecting. This helps to keep communication open and positive between both parties. 

Empathy

One of the great advantages of working as a school counselor is the opportunity to engage with and help students from all different walks of life. If you cast your mind back to your school years, you may remember there being tough periods that were hard to get through. As a school counselor, being able to empathize with students and putting yourself in their shoes can be a real help. If you can see things from the student’s perspective, this will help you deliver the best support and guidance possible.

A school counselor helps students deal with a variety of issues. One day you may be supporting a child who is being bullied. The next, you could be helping a student deal with a dispute with a friend. Whatever the situation, you must be compassionate in your approach and show that you understand what the student is going through. It can take a lot for a student to open up and feel comfortable around you. However, once this happens, you’ll gain the trust and recognition needed to provide adequate support. 

Understanding of Diversity

Another vital trait school counselors must have is the understanding of diversity. Whatever school you work in, students will come from all different backgrounds. A school counselor must consider how a student’s race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender, or religion may come into play. It is your responsibility not to cast judgment on students. Instead, being open-minded and supporting the student wherever you can is essential.

Depending on the student’s background, some may be more willing to open up than others. This means you must have excellent patience skills and realize that it will take time for students to talk about their feelings and issues. Helping students learn to embrace and accept their own diversity within a school environment is vital to a school counselor’s success.

Know When to Act

Sadly, at times, school counselors will have to support students who are suffering abuse, neglect, and risky behavior. It’s your duty to recognize harmful or potentially life-threatening situations that the student may be in. You must take the relevant steps to remove the student from such a situation and ensure they get the help and support they need. 

If a student is reluctant to open up about their home life, you must be able to read between the lines and focus on what the student isn’t telling you, rather than what they’re actually saying. You should always trust your gut feeling if something doesn’t feel right. School counselors are caring and nurturing individuals who want the best for their students. If you feel a child is in a dangerous situation, you need to know how to act fast and protect their safety and security. 

To be a good school counselor, you must have confidence in your abilities and not be afraid to act when you need to. Even if you’re worried about the student resenting you, if you are concerned about their health and wellbeing, you should not hesitate to take appropriate action. 

Friendliness

For students to listen to what you say, school counselors must have a warm and approachable aura around them. When you have a positive attitude and show that you’re open, this helps students trust you more than they would with their parents. This helps you to get the student to open up and let go of any embarrassment or burdens. 

School counselors need to listen to their students’ troubles and help them feel less stressed in whatever way they can. In most cases, showing that you’re approachable and there for a student can do the trick in getting them to be honest with you. Also, having a sense of humor is one of the biggest assets you can have in gaining a student’s trust. If you can laugh at yourself and tell amusing anecdotes, students will see that you’re just like them! Sure, some students are going to be easier to deal with than others, and if you’re working in a middle or high school, teenagers are notorious for being difficult. However, one thing you can do is remain consistent in being friendly and open, and you’ll find that students will take note of this and appreciate it. 

Stress Management

When working as a school counselor, you will be put in situations and support students who haven’t had the best of upbringings. Understandably, it can be heartbreaking to see a student suffer. Whether it’s substance abuse, or problems within the household, after a long and tiring day, it can be hard to shake off your worries and concerns. However, to keep a level head and perform at your best, school counselors must be able to get a hold of their stress.

As you return home, you need to be able to put what has happened at work to the back of your mind, otherwise, your work can seep into your personal life. This can heighten stress and interfere with how well you sleep. There is only so much a school counselor can do. Above anything else, you need to remember that you’re only human and can only do your best to help students. 

Qualifications 

If you believe you have all the characteristics above, now is the time to look into a school counseling career. However, to qualify and step foot into the role, there are certain qualifications and credentials you must obtain first. Many people who now work as school counselors often started their career in teaching, with many coming from an elementary education background. One of the advantages of becoming a school counselor is that you can have an undergraduate degree in practically anything. Whether it’s economics, business, or philosophy, any of these can be beneficial for your career going forward. However, some people favor obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, or early childhood development.

You can go one step further and obtain a masters of school counseling. This is the highest credential you can earn, which will help you become an expert in the field and increase your chances of securing a job. A huge benefit of this program is that you can study it online. This means if you’re in full-time employment, you won’t have to worry about giving up your day job to commit to studying. Instead, make sure you work your course around your day-to-day responsibilities to find the right balance. 

If you like working with children and want to make a positive difference in their education, becoming a school counselor may be the perfect path to take. Professionals in this sector are some of the most prominent and important members of a school’s faculty. This role allows you to perform diverse responsibilities, do meaningful work, and the most valuable thing of all, help to change lives. As long as you master the skills above and obtain the correct qualifications, you will soon be on your way to securing a school counseling role.