Would I Be A Good School Counselor?
Guidance counselors are important resources for students as they're making class choices, considering college and career options, and simply trying to navigate their young lives. Wondering if this might be your calling? Take the self-assessment quiz below to see if you have the characteristics that make a great school counselor.
Which of the qualities below describe you?
| Are you a good listener? | Yes or No |
| Are you resourceful? | Yes or No |
| Do you have strong organizational skills? | Yes or No |
| Are you observant? | Yes or No |
| Do you enjoy evaluating and analyzing information? | Yes or No |
| Do you have a strong sense of humor? | Yes or No |
| Are you personable? | Yes or No |
| Are you good at asserting authority when needed? | Yes or No |
| Are you comfortable helping people from diverse backgrounds? | Yes or No |
| Are you non-judgmental? | Yes or No |
| Are you supportive and encouraging? | Yes or No |
| Do you prioritize confidentiality? | Yes or No |
| Are you compassionate and empathetic? | Yes or No |
Why Does A School Counselor Need These Attributes?
Are you a good listener?
It is a counselor's job to actively listen to students and help them evaluate their needs and aspirations for the future.
Are you resourceful?
A good guidance counselor should be knowledgeable about a variety of subjects and opportunities that may be of interest to students. This may also include doing research in order to better aid students.
Do you have strong organizational skills?
Guidance counselors will be assigned a number of students at a time and must be able to keep up to date with each student's progress and needs. That usually entails keeping detailed notes during sessions with students and organizing them for future reference.
Are you observant?
While meeting with students and also interacting with them around the school, a counselor needs to be able to observe and assess which students need help and how best to approach them.
Do you enjoy evaluating and analyzing information?
A counselor will spend a great deal of their time assessing students' grades and test scores in order to make sound recommendations for future plans.
Do you have a strong sense of humor?
A sense of humor will often help a counselor relate to students and build a rapport that can lead to trust and honesty.
Are you personable?
Students will feel more at ease with a counselor with whom they feel they can be themselves and relate.
Are you good at asserting authority when needed?
Though a strong rapport is essential to good counseling, a school counselor needs to know how to draw the line between being a friendly authority figure and a friend.
Are you comfortable helping people from diverse backgrounds?
Students can come from all different backgrounds and upbringings, and all should feel equally heard and respected by their counselor.
Are you non-judgmental?
Listening and responding without judgment is crucial for building trust with students.
Are you supportive and encouraging?
Counselors are giving students guidance for their future, and it's important to set realistic expectations while continuing to support and encourage students to reach for their dreams.
Do you prioritize confidentiality?
Another key to building trust with students is respecting their need for confidentiality. A counselor should not share private information unless it is emergent.
Are you compassionate and empathetic?
Genuine care for students is invaluable to counselors, and will go a long way toward a successful career.
Beginning Your Counseling Career
Did you answer yes to more than half of these questions? If so, you could make a successful guidance counselor. Professional qualifications to get started vary by state, with some requiring teaching experience and specific credentialing before practicing.
