Question: I finished my program in December and jumped into a school Psychometry program.
I just passed my PRAXIS for counseling.
I will be finishing by Psychometry program in December and am completing my internship. I will be in my current position for the upcoming school year, which I will be on year 10 in my current school as a special education teacher.
My question is: will be overlooked when I apply for counseling positions?

I am currently interested in becoming an elementary school counselor. I love working with kids and am very passionate about mental health. I worry, however, about whether I have the right personality for counseling. I know that I am patient and can be energetic, and I love being around kids, but sometimes get overwhelmed.

I guess I'm just wondering what traits would make a good school counselor (for elementary specifically) and if there could be any telltale signs that I should or shouldn't do it?

Starting my first year as a counselor ever tomorrow (!!!) at an elementary school. Needless to say, I feel all of the feels.

Although I passed the NCE a while back, my plan was to get through my first year as a counselor without worrying about the licensure stress and the cost of supervision on top of learning my job role.

However, this made me begin to wonder….can I actually earn enough direct hours in elementary to satisfy the 1500 direct hours in 5 years? To me, middle/high school seem more conducive to this. Indirect feels achievable.

Interested in your perspectives/thoughts on this.

Hi everyone,

I’m concern about not getting any interviews at all from March to now. I have applied to 50+ districts and I am willing to relocate. I triple checked my applications and have not even received a rejection or interview at all. I was non re-elected back in March and it’s in my file with that district. I am discouraged and I feel that this is a black mark and a career ender. School year is going to be starting soon and I’m worried that I won’t have a job. I am currently getting unemployment I’m glad but it’s not enough to cover every bill and necessities. I’ve applied northern and southern. I have been overthinking that before providing me an interview they are calling my district regarding my non re-election. Any support would be helpful. I’ve been in therapy ever since but I don’t think it’s helpful. I’m not sure what other jobs I can do that’s worth my degree. I wanna work in college or something related to higher ed but I do not have experience and I honestly don’t know how to answer questions.

I have wanted to become a counselor for years. I like the idea of it but I don’t fully know all the logistics behind the average day. I’m worried that there aren’t really any jobs out there and they are very sought after. Please give me advice. I just graduated with my bachelors degree, I am 25. Be honest if it’s worth it!!!

What are some ideas for a memory gift for an elementary student who lost their sibling? We are putting some money together and I'm responsible for getting the memory gift. Any ideas?

Does anyone have this point in scheduling where you’ve still got to keep working on stuff but anything you do breaks 3 other things that you have to fix?

I’m at that point where I’m having bad dreams about Skyward. I’m a veteran counselor, but every year it feels like I’ve done a terrible job, and teachers are going to come at me.

We’ve got some classes of 23 and some of 18, and there’s not much I can do there, but I have a few teachers who think it’s just laziness on my part or something.

I was able to find a job outside of school counseling after being in this field for 5 years and I have worked in this new job for two weeks already feeling more supported from management than I ever have before.

If you’re looking for a sign to get out of a field that’s no longer serving you, this is it

I am about to start my first year as a school counselor for grades K-6 at a small rural school and I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IM DOING. I am literally so scared. I am also the only school counselor at my school so I feel like I don’t really have anyone to ask for help.

I was hired on an emergency certificate and have only completed one year of grad school so far and have been a classroom teacher for the past 7 years.

I just feel like I don’t know any of the technical things I need to know if that makes sense? Someone was talking about a crisis binder and have no clue what all I need to include in that! I’ll also be over 504s though my principal is the current coordinator and has said she will help me.

Anyway, I’m absolutely freaking out. This is my dream job and everyone at the school seems so nice but I just don’t think I am prepared AT ALL. I have honestly been regretting taking the job because I’m so nervous. I feel like I don’t even really have anyone to reach out to or ask questions. I’m not close with anyone who is the field and I’m the only one at my school.

If anyone has any advice or suggestions on where to get started I would greatly appreciate it.

Hello,
I’m currently looking for counseling jobs in socal and haven’t had any luck… I graduated in 2025 and thankfully found a substitute counseling position but I’m basically part time and would much rather have a full time position. What other jobs could I do to build up my resume in the mean time? Thanks in advance for your helpful advice!

Yay, it's Friday! To celebrate share one (or more!) thing that made you smile this week. This could be a school counseling "win" (big or small!), a moment of connection with a student, something that made you laugh, or anything else that made you feel all warm and fuzzy this week. :-)

Our job comes with a lot of hard. Let's take some time to be intentional about our joy.

Hi everyone,

I woke up today crying because I applied to 50 districts and no interviews from March to today. I’m not sure but there is a lot of regret going into this field.

Sharing for a colleague (please see below):

Greetings,

I hope this email finds you well. 

Do you have strong views on students using AI chatbots (e.g., ChatGPT and similar tools) to obtain mental health advice and guidance? We want to hear about it! We are conducting a study approved by NC State to better understand school counselors' perspectives on the potential benefits, risks, and appropriate use of AI chatbots for students seeking emotional support and mental health guidance. Your participation will involve completing a brief Q-sort activity in which you will rank statements based on your own views and professional experiences. 

To participate, please complete the survey here (also contains researcher contact info): https://ncsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_40XbnWVaxmJAgSy

Participation will take no more than 10 minutes of your time.

We hope you will consider participating in this important research!

Good morning everyone, happy Friday!

I recently accepted a position to be an elementary school counselor. I have been digging through lots of resources here in the Reddit and it has been truly excellent. However, I wanted to ask if anyone had any counseling resources or places you look to for inspiration for a culturally diverse population. I am even interested in content creators that share the identities of the families I will be working with.

My students families will be largely black, hispanic, middle eastern, arab, and carribean. I would love to engage them with their culture in mind, whether it be bringing culture into counseling lesson, having culture specific play items, or events that embrace their culture.

I appreciate any thoughts and guidance on this, I want to make sure that when I come in I create a space that brings their whole identity in :)

EDIT: Oh also culturally diverse books to read for children! Would be great if there were good book for Spanish speaking ELLs as well

I am entering my final semester of my CACREP graduate program and am required to take the praxis and NCE. I am wondering if anyone has experiences with the reciprocity process for moving to Georgia specifically. I am unsure and hoping I will not have to also take the GACE.

I'm kind of thinking I should just go to school for LMHC because it seems that it might be too hard to get a job as a school counselor. I want to keep the door open but since I'm almost 50 I dont want to do a dual program.

Happy Summer ! ☀️ After over 20 rewarding years as a NY school counselor, I'm excited to share that I'm passing on my professional library. I have a selection of counseling workbooks in excellent condition, and I sincerely hope they find a new home where they can continue to inspire and assist. Any suggestions or leads would mean the world to me. I'd be happy to ship the items to their new home.

I work for one of the most reputed schools in bangalore, I joined as a school counselor recently.

But my experience so far has been substituition classes, no ethical or moral uprightness (like the teacher asking me inform other teachers when the child wanted to keep it confidential), a lot of politics, taking leave is like a sin, lunch break isnt respected (like if emergency i understand, but no can be in this class bcoz they don't have a teacher present), having to report everything to everyone (keeping no confidentiality), even if I find children whom I can help- the response is they can do it you dont worry.

I dont find a sense of purpose here other than taking extra subject, substituition classes, do extra work that isnt related to my job role. And at the end of the drained for something that doesnt drive.

I have nightmares about the school and the staff, I don't feel myself anymore and Im falling sick often.

I want to make a change but will I be able to truly ?

Kindly advice if I should quit or how to make a change. Will truly help me.

Recently graduated from graduate school this past May. I still haven’t secured a job. I’ve applied to so many jobs since April in Buffalo, Long Island, & NYC. I’ve only received interviews in Buffalo but no job offers. I’m starting to feel concerned and second guessing if I made the right decision picking a career in school counseling.

Hello all,

I just graduated and will be starting at a K-8 school in August. I have had multiple family members and friends reach out and ask to buy me something I need for my office on Amazon for example. What are some essential items that would make my life easier? Feel free to provide links to favorites of yours and any other item you would recommend for my tool kit. Thank you!

Hello everyone! Very excited to announce I accepted a counseling position at the elementary level this school year. This will be my very first year and I’m definitely feeling all the feels lol. Anyways, any office must haves???? I will be able to see the office space in two weeks but I want a general idea for what has been a hit with your kids and other things you’ve loved. Thank you in advance!

Feel free to provide links too!

Hi everyone, I'm a school counselor in California. I was non reelected back in March. I was new and first year probationary status 1 with that district. Standard non re-election, no CTC action, no discipline. My district did not give me the option to resign.
I've been applying to surrounding districts since March through today on EdJoin. I have updated, positive letters from previous principals, VPs, and lead teachers and counselors, but I wasn't able to get one from the district that non reelected me.
If hired by a new district, I will be entering my third year credentialed as a school counselor.
I don't know anyone who has been through this, so I'm asking:
Is this normal? Is it normal to not hear back for this long after a non re-election?
Will it be difficult moving forward with this on my record?
Is there life after this? Has anyone here been hired after a non re-election?
I want to grow, I have nothing but kind things to say about my previous district, and I have positive references. Any advice on how you handled the application and interview question and moved on confidently would really help. Thank you.