Rewards and Challenges

School counselors are challenged by the sheer number of students they have to manage. Many counselors chose their area of study with the expectation that they would have an opportunity to guide students to success, no matter what post secondary career the student may choose. Counselors may feel personal gratification when students visit and confide their dreams and fears. In addition the counselor may enjoy their one-on-one sessions and receive gratification in being able to reach the student, especially when he or she is angry, because the counselor has already established a sense of trust. I feel counselors are rewarded each time a student receives a scholarship, wins an award and/or a class graduates. Therefore, in spite of the challenges a counselor faces, it is the "one" student that makes it against all odds that provides the necessary internal rewards for a counselor to continue in his or her role...in other words the reward is definitely not the money.