Students, when going through middle school and high school, are often focused on issues that they themselves consider important. Students may focus on their relationships or popularity among their peers, stress over their sports performance, or worry about their grades. While each of these issues seem important to the student, none are as important as their future. Many students possess the personal drive and ambition to plan ahead and think about their professional future. However, most students require guidance in the matter. For these students, each school employs a number of guidance counselors.

A guidance counselor, also known as a school counselor, is responsible for the development and growth of students. Generally speaking, students will be required to visit their guidance counselor several times a school year, to ensure that they are moving in the right direction, that they are keeping out of trouble, and that they are focusing on school and their future. Students, however, are very sensitive. Many students may think that a guidance counselor is intruding on their personal space, and that they have no right to impede on their personal life. Guidance counselors are expected to understand this fact, and have to continue to do their job despite what their students may think of them.

Guidance counselors play a large role in the development of students as intellectual, productive human beings. As such, few careers are as rewarding, and frustrating at the same time, as the job of a guidance counselor. Guiding and structuring the lives of students leads to an emotional commitment that many other jobs do not experience. Because of this emotional commitment job requirement, guidance counselors require a significant amount of patience in dealing with their students. Generally speaking, guidance counselors are responsible for:

• Managing the organizational process the reflect the needs of the school and its students

• Working to provide their students with the skills they will need to succeed in college and into the real world

• Encourage their students to work towards their maximum educational and professional potential

• Encourage students to work hard in school and stay out of trouble

• Match colleges or programs with students to meet their specific talent and potential

• Preventing violence by working with students and faculty

• Prepare students through adjustments and skill development to match the dynamic society of today

A typical guidance counselor spends one third of his or her time counseling with students and their parents. As such, guidance counselors are required to be proficient in communication, especially with teenagers. They also spend a large amount of their time with tests aimed at evaluating the educational potential and specific needs of a student. While guidance counselors are an asset to the students they serve, the students also offer much to their counselors, leading to an overall job satisfaction among guidance counselors that ranks among the highest of all professions. Certainly a rewarding career, the job of a guidance counselor is one that allows an individual to help many others through guidance and encouragement.