Educational counsellors meet with students individually or in groups to discuss their academic progress. They may also address specific career goals and personal issues that potentially influence each student's academic performance.
Guiding academic and career goals:
Counsellors assist students in setting academic and career goals and creating a plan to achieve them. They can also provide information about different career paths and options for continuing education.
Administering and interpreting assessments:
Counsellors can administer and interpret various assessments such as aptitude and personality tests, and interest inventories. This helps students gain insight into their strengths and weaknesses and make informed decisions about their future.
Developing and implementing academic and personal support programmer:
Educational counsellors develop and implement programmer to support students academically and personally. This may include tutoring, mentoring and counselling on a personal level.
Providing resources and referrals:
Counsellors provide students with resources and referrals to external organizations or certified professionals to help them address personal issues that affect their academic success. This may include issues as broad as mental health or financial concerns.
Collaborating with faculty and educational support staff:
Counsellors work closely with faculty and educational support staff to identify and address student needs. Collectively, they try to create an environment that provides support for students struggling academically or personally.
Maintaining detailed records and documentation:
Counsellors maintain accurate and confidential records of their interactions with students. They record the details of administered assessments and the services they provide for future reference.
Keeping up to date with educational trends and research:
Counsellors attempt to stay current regarding trends and research in education and counselling. This helps them ensure they provide effective and relevant services to students.
Active listening:
Educational counsellors actively listen to students and understand their concerns, questions and goals. This helps them provide personalized support to each student approaching them for assistance.
Communication skills:
Counsellors are typically good communicators who interact with students, parents, faculty and staff. Excellent communication skills help them provide effective guidance and support to individuals.
Empathy and compassion:
Counsellors require empathy and compassion to understand and respond to students' emotional and personal needs. They can generate favorable results in their work by avoiding judgement and making genuine attempts to understand the living conditions and experiences of their clients.
Problem solving:
Educational counsellors are typically highly skilled in problem solving. They analyze issues and provide solutions to help students overcome unique challenges and achieve specific goals.
Interpersonal skills:
Counsellors usually try to build strong working relationships with students, parents, faculty and staff. This ability is instrumental in providing effective guidance and support.
Cultural competence:
Educational counsellors benefit significantly from understanding and working with students from diverse backgrounds. This includes groups from various cultures or regions.
Organizational skills:
Counsellors manage their time and resources effectively to provide quality services to students. They use their organizational skills to meet their professional obligations and assist students in addressing their academic obligations effectively.
Knowledge of academia and career paths:
Educational counsellors usually develop a strong understanding of academic and career pathways. This helps them provide effective guidance and support to students who require specialized support.
Confidentiality:
Counsellors maintain the strict confidentiality of student information. This is essential for securing the trust and respect of students and their families.
Technology skills:
With the increasing use of technology in education, counsellors benefit from familiarity with technological applications. This includes online resources, software and databases that can help them provide quality guidance and support.
Job Type: Full-time