School Counselor

Working Schedule

School Counselors typically work full-time when school is in session. They may get part or all of their summers off, depending on the school’s needs.

Tareas típicas

• Help students understand their interests and aptitudes via tests and interviews

1. As Kent ISD writes, “Career interest inventories are testing instruments designed to help students learn more about themselves, as well as identify careers that would be a good fit based on their interests. The results of the assessments guide students in discovering more about themselves, as well as occupations that best fit them.”

• Show students how to explore viable career options
• Explain career planning and how education and training tie into it
• Review the role of colleges and college degrees in career preparation
• Advise students on suitable courses that will help them achieve educational and career goals
• Help students understand graduation requirements
• Assist students who are struggling with academic, behavioral, or social challenges
• Devise study strategies to help students get back on track and stay on track
• Provide information about additional resources that may benefit students
• Offer individual and group counseling sessions
• Discuss factors that could negatively impact success in school such as skipping or failing classes
• Educate students and staff about common school issues such as bullying prevention and substance abuse
• Advise students about standardized tests used for college applications (such as the SAT)
• Provide information about how to apply to college, federal financial aid and scholarship options, and the importance of extracurricular activities
• Collaborate effectively with families, teachers, and administrators to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs or unique circumstances
• Review transcripts and track student progress over time and adjust strategies as needed
• Report signs of possible neglect or abuse to appropriate agencies
• Suggest special evaluations to families, teachers, or administrators when warranted, such as special education testing or gifted and talented assessments

Responsabilidades adicionales

• Conduct classroom observations
• Draft school-wide policies and procedures related to counseling actions
• Advocate for students’ needs
• Maintain databases and protect private information
• Meet with parents, legal guardians, or other child caretakers to discuss critical issues
• Develop resources and materials to share with families
• Participate in ongoing professional development and training
• Stay updated on educational trends and opportunities

Habilidades sociales

• Active listening
• Adaptabilidad
• Advocacy
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Confidentiality
• Empatía
• Habilidades interpersonales
• Management
• Negotiation
• Organization
• Paciencia
• Persistence
• Problem-solving
• Social perceptiveness
• Teamwork
• Gestión del tiempo

Competencias técnicas

• Academic planning resources, such as interest inventories, career pathway worksheets, course selection guides, and online career-planning resources (like Gladeo)
• Advising sessions to plan out coursework and future academic goals
• ASCA National Model framework
• Counseling techniques
• Crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and de-escalation techniques
• Data collection and analysis methods and programs
• Diagnostic assessments such as reading and math tests
• Educational assessment tools such as standardized tests (PSAT, SAT, ACT, GRE)
• Program development and evaluation
• Rubrics/scoring guides to assess work based on pre-established criteria
• Scholarship processes, including how to use databases, application preparation and submission, interview practice, and award acceptance
• Student progress tracking and outcome evaluation
• Special needs programs and requirements

• Public and private K-12 schools
• Charter schools
• Community colleges
• 4-year colleges and universities
• Vocational and trade schools

School Counselors play a crucial role in shaping students’ futures. Their work often makes a lasting impact on the lives of young people, which in turn can affect future generations, too.

Counselors are expected to provide comprehensive support, helping learners identify and overcome academic and personal challenges. The role demands attention, empathy, patience, and persistence, especially when there are setbacks or other obstacles. They’ve also got to be ready to deal with pushback from students and prepared to tackle sensitive subjects.

In some cases, intervention techniques might be necessary to help struggling students so they can improve their odds of success. The job can be emotionally demanding at times, but it’s always rewarding to help students work toward positive goals! 

One critical trend is the shortage of qualified staff in our schools!

“Schools are experiencing an ongoing nationwide school counselor shortage. Forty-eight states are above the recommended students to school counselor ratio of 250:1,” according to the National Education Association.

Another trend is the increased use of technology in education and student support. Online resources, virtual counseling sessions, and digital assessments are becoming more common, improving accessibility and helping to remove barriers to information.

There’s also a growing focus on mental health and wellness, with counselors playing a key role in supporting students’ emotional well-being. They’re not there to provide long-term therapy sessions, but, as the American School Counselor Association puts it, “School counselors advocate for the mental health needs of all students by offering instruction that enhances awareness of mental health, appraisal, and advisement addressing academic, career and social/emotional development; short-term counseling interventions; and referrals to community resources for long-term support.”

Many School Counselors experienced positive interactions with counselors themselves when they were younger, helping them recognize the importance of the position. Others just grew up with a passion for educational equity and wanted to find meaningful roles in the education system.