I want to spend some time looking at seven different things that I did not know as a student in graduate school. While I will be eternally grateful for all that I learned in my studies and from my professors and fellow students (and believe my program–and university–did a great job of preparing me for what I needed to know—and do—in order to have the best chance at success in the field of Education), some things may just have to be experienced—first-hand—and when a person has already started the job as a school counselor. Conversely, if you are a current graduate student, or someone kicking around the idea of wanting to pursue a career as a school counselor, this is especially for you (along with for our newer school counselors).

I would like to talk about seven of those stand-out things, here.

#1: Paperwork, Paperwork, Paperwork!:

I wanted to begin what I had to learn on the job, as a school counselor, with, perhaps, a more slightly surprising starting point. When I started my career in 2016—let alone, now, in 2023—I was quite amazed by the amount of paperwork that I would handle on a daily basis. Sure, most forms and files can now be easily digitized—and it has cut-back on a lot of the paperwork—but it still amazes me on how quickly paperwork can pile-up on a school counselor’s desk (and it’s not all that different for many classroom teachers, as well), if one is not careful. While I do keep a ‘to-be-filed’ box in my office (either for things that I may eventually get rid of or for items that I may want to retrieve, or even file, at a later time), if I am not on top of things, my office desk can rather quickly become covered with many layers of a loosely protective paper coating, consisting of forms; schedules; transcripts; email printouts; office mailbox items—you name it. My advice for new(er) school counselors: You will handle a lot of paperwork, so figure out the organizational system (both physically and digitally) that works best for you, so that you will know where everything can be located (even if it takes you a couple minutes to find it).

#2: The Role of a School Counselor (In Each Building and District):

The second thing that I did not learn in graduate school was this idea of school counselors being utilized in (sometimes, vastly) different roles and capacities from either building to building and/or from district to district. While teaching largely looks the same from school to school, school counselors often occupy a very unique role in each school building. So, what does that mean for new(er) school counselors, you ask? Well, you will be expected to perform a combination of direct and indirect delivery of services based either on historic precedent; administration directives; or based on the unique needs and expectations of your individual  building or district. For example, some high school counselors are expected to play a significant part in lending a hand with standardized testing; some are not. Some school counselors—perhaps more at the earlier levels–may have to help with lunch or bus duty (either regularly or as is needed). It just depends. The role of a school counselor is often part educator; part mental health expert; part quasi-administration; part quasi-secretarial–part Swiss army knife. This job is a little bit of everything (but that is actually one of the reasons that I really enjoy the profession, if I am being most honest!), so be ready for literally almost anything.

#3: No Two Days Are Ever The Same:

Quite similarly—and this can also be true for administrators, and even teachers, sometimes, too: No two days are ever the same. As a school counselor, one minute, I may be helping to comfort and calm-down a student that was really upset about something that was posted about them on social media by another peer; and, moments later, I might also then be assisting another student with how to best plan for eventually applying to a highly-selective college or university—you just never know. While doing those things, the phone might also be ringing with a caregiver that needs to talk, or a building principal or teacher that stops by–and only has a moment—to tell me something important to know (or do) to help a student or family. But the one common denominator, new(er) school counselors? No two days are ever the same. Each day, I will go in with a general idea of what I might expect for the day, but calendars and schedules can unravel at a moment’s notice, particularly, if something immediately needs to be done to protect or care for the safety or well-being of a student. My biggest piece of advice, here? Have a plan each day, but just know that particular plan can change at a moment’s notice—and that’s almost always true anytime that you are working in a school setting.

#4: You Will Regularly Be Thinking About Your Students:

Most school counselors are deeply-considerate individuals that are in the profession because they care about students and want to make a difference in their lives and in their education(s). That care and concern often means that if a student is struggling, we feel it, too. I often tell my students that “when you’re winning, I feel like I am winning, too!” Conversely, when students are hurting, I often feel that hurt for them, as well—it’s empathy; it’s the common human experiences that bind us together in unity. Don’t forget: All of us were also middle school and high school students at one time, ourselves, so we often know the pain of bullying; of friends betraying you; or struggling with things happening at home. For my students battling with their mental health or coping with difficult-to-handle situations at home, it’s hard to just leave those things at work. It might be the middle of the evening, and something–seemingly random–then reminds me of a struggling student, or maybe I have been spending some time pondering different solutions or ways that I can help a hurting student–either when I’m driving home from school or during the middle of a long run, for instance. But the job of a school counselor is one where you never really truly stop having care and concern for your students—and that’s true even when you walk out of your building(s) for the day–particularly, for those who are struggling the most to cope (with whatever it is that is causing them a high level of hurt; pain; grief; or frustration).

#5: You Will Feel a Wide Range of Feelings and Emotions Every Day:

Relatedly, as a new(er) school counselor, do not be surprised if you frequently ride the feelings and emotions roller-coaster—and ride it many, many times in any given day! I will be honest, here: There are a number of days that, maybe, say, in the morning, I might be laughing about something really, really funny with another colleague or student, but, maybe by the afternoon, I might need to take several deep breaths–or go for a short walk—just so that I can maintain my composure. Some moments, you might feel rather calmed and relaxed—other times, you may feel like six different things suddenly have converged on you all at the same time and all need to be addressed—and pronto! (but you are just one individual). Honor your feelings and emotions—they are not irrational and you are not losing your mind. Self-sooth; take a moment for yourself; and don’t be afraid to ask for help or to lean on your colleagues for support (because they can probably imagine exactly how you might be feeling).

#6: The Importance of Networking and Professional Development:

Shifting gears, a bit, as a new(er) school counselor, the onus will, largely, be on each individual school counselor to build and grow their professional networks and to invest in their own professional growth and development. To be sure, state (and national, if applicable) licensures will require set amounts of professional development to maintain certification, but, largely outside of those requirements, it will be up to the individual school counselor to determine what they might want to do beyond the minimum requirements to remain an active, practicing school counselor. Fortunately, there are no shortage of options, ranging from attending workshops, webinars, and conferences; to taking college classes,  completing online tutorials, continuing units of education, or different modules of study; to joining professional groups, organizations, or boards; or simply reading education-based books or listening to useful podcasts. Learning is all around us: We just have to decide what it is that we want to learn more about and to then seek out those opportunities. It’s no different for school counselors, and for new(er) school counselors (in particular), doing a little bit extra can really help to turbo-charge your own professional growth and development (and remember: if you gain new insights; strategies; or tools to use, don’t forget to share-out with your colleagues–inside and outside of your building).

#7: A Majority of Your Learning Is On-the-Job:

Finally, even the very best Graduate (and Undergraduate) programs cannot fully prepare you for the realities of being a school counselor—particularly, if you are a brand-new school counselor. Fortunately, while I do believe most college programs try their very best to prepare new educators for this important work, some things just have to be learned on the job (and that is why I decided to mention a number of those key things, here, in this reading). School counselors are expected to know a lot and they are often utilized in many, many different ways and fashions–from school to school. But one thing that can really help both new(er) school counselors and veteran school counselors, alike, is to take on the countenance of that of an open, humble, and life-long learner. We all can learn from each other, and while you can often get a great foundational base of knowledge; skills; and growth and development from your college program(s), the learning truly never stops—and that is true whether you have completed Year #1 or Year #30 (or beyond!).