r/schoolcounseling

I finished my master's in May 2023 and was lucky enough to get a job right away, so I am finishing year 3 of being a middle school counselor, but I am constantly struggling to feel good enough, and I worry that I made a mistake and chose the wrong career.

I am very introverted, which I don't think is a problem when meeting with students individually, but office politics are very difficult for me, and I often feel that most of the people in the office, including admin and the teachers, don't like me. It doesn't help that my co-counselor is super outgoing and is always out and about chatting with people, while I tend to stay in my office and meet with kids.

I try to always be kind to everyone I meet and to all of my students, but I can't help but feel that someone who is bubblier or more outgoing would be better for this job, and I am just destined to feel inadequate my entire career (and have my principals be disappointed that they hired me; this is a constant fear that I have). I often go home feeling like I've done a bad job or not done enough, even though when it comes to completing tasks, meeting deadlines, and meeting with kids, I always complete everything I need to.

My co-counselor is also constantly staying late working, and I genuinely have no idea what she is doing during that time, because it is rare that I have work that needs to be done that I can't finish during the regular school day. I usually leave at my contracted ending time, unless there is an emergency or something that must get finished before the next day. I am very protective of my work-life balance in this way, but then I know it must make me look bad to leave on time when she is staying late often (obviously, I am comparing myself to her a lot).

Not really sure what my purpose is in posting this, I'm just struggling. I keep hoping I'll get to a point were I feel more comfortable and confident in my career, but it doesn't seem to be happening.

Hi, all. I wasn't sure where to ask and HR would only give vague answers so here I am. I am currently a Para at an SFUSD school and because I'm starting grad school soon (to be a school counselor), I won't be able to commit full time as I have internship hours I have to do (15 hrs = 2 days). After talking with the principal, he said he would rather have someone here full time. Well I can't quit because I'm not willingly leaving because I don't have another job. I would rather them lay me off so I can have some sort of income as I am job hunting but other staff have told me if I am laid off I can't be rehired for the district ever again. Is this true and what should I do?

Any advice for getting through the last three weeks of school as a new school counselor? I’m feeling beyond burnt out. I took a mental health day yesterday because the behaviors and issues that the students are experiencing and exhibiting are truly exhausting. My school has a high turnover rate so every year there’s new staff. The new staff do not handle anything in house (in their classrooms) and they let the students do whatever they want… we’re down admin due to special leaves approved so I feel like I’ve been given admin responsibility on top of the crazy workload I have. I just don’t know how I will make it to the finish line 😅 any advice to learn how to chill and act like everything is normal/ no biggie would be great…..

As a high school counselor, I struggle with helping my students with worker permits. They come in and either lose documents or don't have everything filled out. So I've been working with other counselors in my area on a website that will help counselors control worker permits for their students. Essentially, the website will do eSign and securely store the worker permit for the counselor, student, parent, and employer. Does anyone else struggle with worker permits? Also if you were to use a website for this, what would your concerns be? What issues do you think you would face?

I just graduated this month and am located in California. I have been applying for the past two months. I have at least 60+ applications in with follow-up emails sent to all contacts. I've only been able to get two interviews one from my internship site and another one from the Bay Area. All other applications are either the position being filled already or they went with another candidate. Anyone else having better luck than I am? I'm located in the Central Valley area but am willing to relocate all around CA. It's not looking to good that I am considering moving to another state.

Would anyone be willing to speak to me about how you use your time? Anyone working hard to be asca aligned. I’ve been tasked with forming my weekly calendar that reflects this.

Thank you!!

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I started a school counseling internship in January. I did my internship at a school that has a school counseling position open. I have since completed my internship and graduated; however, I was hired through a third party as a Building Substitute, meaning I can continue working in the school counseling role until it is filled.

I was advised to apply for this opening before I graduated, since I was able to. So, I applied as soon as possible, which was about 3 months ago.

I didn't hear anything until about 3 weeks ago, when the principal asked if I had withdrawn my application. I said that I had not, and she said, "Oh, good. I was hoping you didn't." She let it slip that she hadn't actually looked at my application, yet.

After confirming that she still had access to my application, I thought that things would get rolling; however, I just looked, and my application still says "submitted," as opposed to "in progress." This means she still has not even opened it. I tried following up, but I have yet to hear a response.

I am so confused. They told me all the time how they are so desperate to get another counselor, but they haven't even looked at my application. Are they using me because it is cheaper and I am already there? Do you think they are unimpressed with my work, and they are waiting for someone else to apply? I am just frustrated because I am doing the work of a school counselor, but I get paid as a sub (also, no benefits).

I have already applied to other jobs (and have gotten a few interviews). I feel awful because it seems to be accepted throughout the school that I will get this counseling job. Any advice would be helpful.

Edit: A couple of people have mentioned it already, but they do not seem to be waiting until the summer to hire. They have invited 2 people to an interview for the job. Neither showed up to their interview.

It just recently came to my attention at work that a coworker of mine who has access to the school cameras has been watching me and my counseling team on the cameras. Not sure what to do? The only reason I found it is apparently they are doing it/discussing it in front of other teachers. Any guidance is helpful.

Hi everyone! I am graduating in a few weeks with my Masters in Counseling with a PPS. I have been applying for many jobs however no luck :( I am starting to accept the fact I may not get a school counseling job right after graduation. It was disheartening at first since I feel like I will never make it in the field (im being overdramatic).

I want to hear from people who did not get a position right after graduation, how did it go for you? Any tips to overcome the feelings that go with it? I am just an anxious gal and want to know that it will okay.

I’m currently in my 21st year as a school counselor in California and considering going away from the school setting and focusing on the mental health piece. I’d love to hear from anyone that’s done this. What license do you recommend and any programs you recommend? I would need it to be fully online because I’m working full time. How did you fit in getting your clinical hours?

I, (23) year old (F), am currently in my school counseling master’s program. I started in August 2025, right after undergrad, and I don’t know what to do anymore. My first semester made me realize that this field might not be for me. I decided to stay for another semester, and I’m set on taking a leave of absence in case I decide to go back. I’ll still have my seat in the program.
I’m reconsidering it because it’s a big job for one person. Usually, there’s 1 counselor to a school because of funding and stuff. I think I’m afraid to just fail my students and getting overwhelmed. I kind of fold under pressure.
Currently, I’m a sub teacher, and I love my job. I really enjoy working with kids, but I’m worried that leaving the program that I’ll regret my decision. I know I’m going to experience FOMO, mainly because of my classmates, definitely not the work 😭.
I think maybe I’m just not ready, and one day I will be, but I really don’t want to keep wasting money until I find out if this is for me or not.
Has there even been a time that y’all reconsidered being a school counselor, and what made you stay?

I posted about 2 months ago about cuts happening in my district and the possibility of being bumped and/or jobless. Thankfully, the layoffs weren't as bad as expected, but I was informed I'm being moved to a middle school.

Does anyone have any advice for someone moving down to middle? In high school I do so much with transcripts, college, trade school, 504s, etc and I don't know what to expect with middle schoolers

I just did a whole semester of practicum and still feel…idk lost I guess? I am doing stuff, (helping with finalizing schedules, attending IEP and 504’s, talking to kids about their plans for beyond high school, helping with crisis assessment, etc) but I still feel like it’s not clicking? I’m at a small school so everyone knows everyone, but I’m horrible with names and faces. It’s hard for me to keep track of who is who and I’m doing my best to keep notes, but it doesn’t always help…I feel like I’m not doing enough but I’m also still scared of doing something wrong so then I get nervous about jumping to do stuff….idk. My supervisor is great, I love this site, I love these kids. I’ve sort of talked to my supervisor about these concerns and he said that if he were concerned he would tell me and I know he absolutely means that. He’s never given me a reason to doubt whether or not he’s honest with his feedback, but I can’t seem to snap out of this doubt spiral I keep having. Is this a common feeling people have when they’re just getting started? If so, what helps?

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.

Hey y'all. I am entering a grad program this fall, and I have the gracious class time choices of a 3:30-6:15 pm class time or a 6:30-9:15 pm class time. My program is heavily full of teachers and school admins, so I understand the grad school times, but as I am just coming out of undergrad, I am not in a full-time position (I am only 21), leaving more wiggle room in my scheduling choices. For those who have gone through grad school or are currently in grad school, what are your experiences with the different class times? Is there a significant quality of life difference, or is it barely noticeable? I am a night owl for the most part, so either time slot would be fine for me. I just wanna know how some of you guys have experienced. Or maybe I am just overthinking.

This was my first year as an elementary school counselor and I genuinely feel like I did everything except counseling (we have one counselor per grade level because the school is implementing a big mental health campaign and its apparent to me now that it’s more of a show)

I teach SEL classes, got extra “activity” classes added to my schedule, deal with every behavioral issue in the grade, kids cursing at each other, fighting, refusing to listen in class, classroom disruptions, social conflicts, discipline referrals… everything gets sent to me.
call parents about everything, document everything, solve bus issues and seating charts

Half the time I feel more like a discipline officer and customer service rep than an actual counselor.

I barely practiced any actual counseling skills this year.
Teachers dump everything instead of handling classroom management themselves and when we tried to push back or ask for support, there was very little backing from admins

It’s honestly been very frustrating and very much exhausting

Wondering how common it is for admin to ask for access to your period-by period daily schedule each day. Thanks!

Looking to commiserate. My first 3 years I somehow avoided taking more than 1-2 sick days per year. This is my 4th year and I've taken 10. Same school, same population (k-12 but I work mostly with k-8)

I've had 2 different illnesses requiring me to call off 3 days in a row this year (plus was sick the whole weekend), and then a couple other days I've called off for miscellaneous ailments (eg insomnia, migraines).

Anyone else dying this year?