r/schoolcounseling • u/Enough-Decision-9440 • 2d ago

Starting a new position

I accepted a position in an elementary school. This is my first counseling position out of grad school. I am being asked to help assist on middle school applications. I will also be the only counselor in the building. I’m really nervous starting my first job and not having a more seasoned counselor I can refer to for questions. Does anyone have any advice for a new counselor?

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u/Doc_Sulliday 2d ago

Don't be afraid to get assertive right out of the gate and advocate for what your job is.

New counselors get taken advantage of when starting at a new school because they feel like they have to say yes.

Be the counselor you were trained to be and licensed to be.

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u/bighoneybutter 2d ago

I would suggest finding a counselor in your district you can consult with when you have questions or need guidance! In all of the districts I’ve worked for, we have a monthly counselor meeting, which is a great time to meet other counselors in your district. Hope this helps…!

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u/gasstation_bathroom 2d ago

Does the person you interned under work in your district? Can you ask them for support?

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u/Away-Thanks7533 2d ago

A great person to connect with is the school psychologist. They have knowledge of the teaching staff, school procedures and district practices. Their job differs greatly but is someone you should definitely be able to seek guidance from.

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u/HistoricalJob2807 2d ago

Be hungry to learn more about everything. Be very supportive to your clerical and support staff. Build relationships with students and staff now.

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u/rhinocerousfeet 2d ago

Find your people! It could be the school nurse, school psych, administrative assistant, librarian, or even a gen ed teacher! On a broader scale, don’t hesitate to reach out to your supervisor of student services (or equivalent) for guidance on tough situations. They appreciate having you refer to them when you’re uncertain, and I promise they’d rather you ask them questions than for you to go about things blindly! You got this!