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What No One Told You in Grad School

12/8/2016

6 Comments

 
What I wish I knew as a School Counseling Intern www.counselorup.com
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak to a group of incoming practicum students at a local university. I asked the counselors in my district to tell me what they wish they had known about being a school counselor. I also shared some tips on a successful internship year. We ended up having a great discussion and I realized (remembered) how little I knew about school counseling when I was first starting out too.

I wish I had known…

  • I would need a clone! Time management and scheduling so you can advocate for your time will keep you sane.
  • When administrators are off campus … I’m the principal.
  • You learn A LOT on the job so don’t stress if you don’t know everything right this minute. Give yourself time!
  • To take care of me – it’s hard to take care of others all day everyday if you don’t take care of yourself first.
  • To take a class on classroom management.
  • I’d have to do lunch duty, be the safety advisor, hair stylist for single dads with daughters, so shoe repairs, AND be the school counselor.
  • Creating meaningful relationships with students and staff is the most essential first step before any other work can be done.
  • To keep a sense of humor and be humble in recognizing you won’t know everything, but are willing to ask questions and learn from others.
  • Consult, consult, consult
  • Kids are listening ALL the time, even if they don’t appear to be. Be mindful of your hallway conversations with teachers. Redirect teachers who want to unload about their kids within earshot of their students.
  • How many hats I wear besides counseling students. Clinical training is your foundation, but you don’t get to use it to the extent you may think while in grad school.

Top 3 tips for a successful internship year:

Be On Time
Schools run like clockwork. When you're late or you don't arrive when expected, you can really throw off everyone's day. Be there when you say you will and stay until you're done.

Be Proactive
School counselors are incredibly busy - don't wait for your supervisor to tell you to do something. Think ahead and start making plans for what you can be doing to stay ahead of the game.

Act Like You Work There
Dress professionally, be courteous, help others out - do what great employees and coworkers do. You really aren't volunteering, the school is generously offering to give you job experience. 
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What are your top tips for interns? If you are hosting an intern this year, check out my 5 tips for hosting an intern.
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6 Comments
Joanne
1/10/2017 03:28:54 pm

Hi Rebecca,
Thanks so much for the tips! I will definitely be implementing some of these tips during my internship.

Jo

Reply
Rebecca Atkins
1/10/2017 03:57:35 pm

Thanks so much for your kind words!! Good luck in your internship.

Reply
Miranda
1/10/2017 08:17:03 pm

Thanks so much!

Reply
Rebecca Atkins
1/12/2017 07:07:50 am

Thanks for stopping by!

Reply
Kim
1/11/2017 09:48:18 am

Im just starting my graduate degree for counseling and getting my PPS credential. Im so overwhelmed at the prospect of even knowing where to find a good school to intern at and that needs or wants me there! Thank you for the tips.

Reply
Rebecca Atkins
1/12/2017 07:07:27 am

Best of luck Kim! In my graduate program, our professors assigned our internship site. In my current district, all requests for internships must come from a university contact (and not the student) and then are assigned by central office. I would check with your university to see what the procedures are for your area schools.

If you are permitted to contact schools directly, check school websites and pick a few schools that you would be interested in working with. Send the counselor(s) an email and tell them a little about you, the requirements of the program, and ask for them to let you know if they would consider hosting an intern. Treat your email like a cover letter where you share a little about you and a little about why you are interested in the site.

I think you will find that most counselors are excited for the opportunity to host an intern and if they are not, it probably wouldn't be a good fit anyway.

Reply



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    Rebecca Atkins

    Welcome to my blog where I talk about all things school counselor and encourage others to Counselor Up!

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