My journey to become a school counselor happened soon after
I became a teacher. I did not want to
become a school counselor because I did not like teaching. I loved being a
teacher. I do love learning and wanted to continue my education and plan a
career move to administration. I strongly believe that everyone
has a story. My story began when I was
six years old (this is the exact time I decided I would be a teacher) and my course changed when a tragedy struck my family (a few years later). This tragedy did not deter me from my goals.
It only pushed me more and more. I used
something so devastating to accomplish my goals and to share my passion for
education.
Anyone who knows me well knows that I was destined to become
a teacher. However, I did not know that I wanted to be a school counselor. Looking back, I did not really connect how
much I would be helping students like myself-I LOVE learning- and students like
my brother. My brother was this cool guy
that I looked up to and one day he was just gone. Now, I get to help students who feel alone
and be that person that they can count on.
My journey to becoming a school counselor came from making a career move
and as the years went it on it became a true calling.
I had the idea that I wanted to become a school
leader-administrator. I wanted to change
students’ lives and by being a school leader, I thought that would put me in the exact role to do exactly that. Before I would go back to school to become a
school leader, I wanted to get a master’s degree in another area to give me
more knowledge. I was interested in a Multicultural Education program because I
was working with students from diverse backgrounds and I wanted to learn more
about the educational system. My
principal at the time advised me to look into school counseling programs. The
school district I worked for hires school leaders who have an expertise in an
area such as school counseling. I did some research and applied to a school counseling program at a semi local, well known university.
Right before the school year ended, I found out I was accepted to the
program.
I knew that it would take me at least 3 years to complete
the school-counseling program because I was a full time teacher. I was ready to
learn and put in countless hours of studying, working on group projects and
just trying to balance everything. The
program was a good fit. As a teacher I was kind of doing the academic and
college counseling and I knew I had to learn more about personal/social
counseling.
I found a job right away at an all girls private high
school. Then, I was hired at a public charter high school in Los Angeles. I
knew I wanted to work in a public school. That is where my heart is. I wanted to make a difference and feel a part
of a student’s journey. Over the years I
have grown so much in my position, have taken on leadership roles and planned
events I was not too excited about. I am more comfortable with personal/social counseling even though I do not get much time for it. Some
days have been rough but most are rewarding.
I look forward to going to work every day. I am in a career that I am supposed to be in
and that is the greatest feeling in the world.
I made the decision to not become a school leader although I completed
the master’s program and am currently working on finishing the credential (the
program director is reviewing my documents now!).
The year just started this month and I know time will fly by
(because it does every year!) so I am going to take in every moment and try not
to be too stressed.
If you’re thinking about becoming a school counselor, I say
go for it! Do what you think is best for you. Yes, you probably have already
heard that getting a counseling job is a challenge, but it can happen. Stay passionate about what you want to do and
you’ll find a job out there. Like other
advice you’ve read volunteer at a school, read literature about school
counseling, look into LPCC or MFT programs, behavior analysis credential can
give you an edge, etc. ,etc. Do what is
best for you.
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