For some students, time spent with their school counselor means the difference
between dropping out and graduating.
"I like the journey one takes with students. We watch them come in as
Grade 8's, then stumble, grow, learn, mature, and then as Grade 12's, demonstrate
pride while walking across the stage in his or her cap and gown," says school
counselor Sylvia Slater.
"The commencement ceremony is an annual reminder to me as to why I do this
job."
School counselor Eric Sparks once worked with a student who really struggled
with making the transition to high school. He failed the ninth grade and
every year he was on the border of being held back.
Sparks and other staff at the school worked with the student throughout
his high school career and he was able to graduate.
Some years later, the student got in touch with Sparks to share some great
news. The student who had failed ninth grade was now at Harvard University
working on his doctorate.
"He included a link to the Harvard research page where it
showed his name -- to make sure the teachers believed it," laughs Sparks.
"In this career, we are true advocates for students. We help them to reach
their dreams."
Seeing students reach many different kinds of success is the biggest reward
for school counselors. Former students have often contacted school counselor
Ron Lee to tell him he made a difference in their lives.
"It's rewarding to know that you have impacted lives in a positive way.
There are not too many careers that offer this opportunity," says Lee.
The multiple responsibilities of school counselors can be stressful. School
counselors must know what to deal with themselves and when to recommend outside
help.
June Sanderson, a counseling specialist, says the hardest part of the job
is managing the workload, juggling priorities and meeting the needs of the
student population. She must identify the priorities of the day and respond.
There's always more to do and one can never "finish" the job because of the
sheer volume of tasks.
"It's incredible -- it's hard to meet the demands," says Sanderson.
Sparks agrees the demands are challenging. "School counselors are always
juggling a lot of responsibilities at the same time. I'll be working with
one student and another one comes in with a crisis, or a teacher needs assistance
or a parent is knocking on my door," he says.
Setting priorities and making decisions are essential skills for a busy
school counselor. "You have to make decisions quickly and in some cases they
could have very dire consequences," says Sparks.
For example, if a student confides in a counselor that he is contemplating
hurting himself, the counselor must act fast to provide support and get the
student the resources needed.
Sparks adds that school counselors are also teaching decision-making to
students. They coach students to face problem situations and find non-violent
solutions.
Although some aspects of the job are emotionally draining, others parts
are much more positive. "You get to work with the whole student body, individuals
in the community, parents, health and justice workers -- you have the ability
to affect whole-school change," says Sanderson.
She likes to get students involved through leadership positions in counseling
centers. It's empowering for students to be involved with change. These changes
could include things like reducing the incidents of bullying.
"I take a lot of energy from that kind of service in a school," says Sanderson.
Young people interested in school counseling are encouraged to try it out
through work experience programs. "Though only a brief exposure is provided
it's been useful for many," says Slater.
Peer counseling programs can also give you a taste of working with student
issues.
When the final school bell rings, school counselors agree that it is a
very rewarding career.
"School counselors have a unique role to be school leaders, advocates for
student success and to be involved with teachers, community members and parents,"
says Sparks.