I would think that the most challenging aspect of being a counselor would be to balance such a variety of issues as well as your own life once you leave work. When you care about people, you can't always leave your work at work. Also, the work load can be a challenge. Depending on how many counselors are in the same school, what your areas of expertise are and the work ethics and values of each individual, it could be a challenge to address every need. Although, there is training in student diversity, I would imagine that understanding the different cultures within the school would be difficult when it comes to personal or social issues.
It is always rewarding to help someone. To help someone find their way though is extra special. For a student to have a change of heart about the path they are taking or are now considering their future when they never have before, is rewarding. I would think the ultimate reward would be to see a struggling student years after graduation and see that they are now doing well based on the decisions you assisted them in making.
Hello Chef Tiffany!
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you regarding the challenge of balancing [work] issues with your own life issues outside of work. It goes for counselors and teachers alike. I know from personal experience now as a teacher of teens that I often do not “leave it at work” because I often find an email from them when I get home or I go to bed thinking of what I can do for them next. I have very little time at the end of the day at school to read work emails so I tend to do it at home. Welcome to the world of technology that the students so love – they send me emails that reach me at home as well! I just finished writing a letter of recommendation for one of my seniors after getting an email yesterday stating she needed it by Monday.
I am sure that our counselor is facing similar issues as there just is not enough hours in the day for her to do all the things she needs to get done especially as we head into the next few weeks where graduation issues will tend to have a bigger voice than the other issues – but not to say she won’t try and handle each of them as well! I go back to your statement of a reward is to be able to help someone. I look forward to the day I have one of my students come back and let me know that they are doing well and that maybe, just maybe – I made a difference! I know our counselor has shared such an experience or two with me stating that it is what keeps her doing what she does. She said to wait and I will have at least one someday! My advice to you:
Keep the faith and BALANCE when you can!