School Counselor Job Description
The Role of School Counselors: Supporting Students, Shaping Futures
School counselors are just one of the unsung heroes who make a real difference in students’ lives, helping them navigate the ups and downs of school and beyond. From guiding a student through personal struggles to offering advice on picking the right classes, they play a key role in shaping academic success and social growth.
In this guide, Soliant career experts dive into the school counselor job description, including the responsibilities, what the job entails, and the specific roles for counselors at different grade levels.
What is a School Counselor?
A school counselor is a dedicated professional who helps students thrive, both inside and outside the classroom. With a specialized skillset, they provide support for a wide range of challenges—academic struggles, personal hurdles, emotional ups and downs, and even big career decisions. Whether it’s offering one-on-one guidance, running group sessions, or developing programs tailored to student needs, school counselors are at the heart of creating a supportive and positive learning environment.
School Counselor Job Description
While the specific duties of a school counselor can vary based on the school’s grade level, there are core responsibilities shared across the profession:
- Academic Counseling: Helping students plan their course schedules, offering advice on academic goals, and assisting with overcoming academic challenges.
- Emotional Support: Providing counseling for students dealing with stress, anxiety, bullying, or family issues.
- Social Skills Development: Guiding students in building healthy relationships, managing conflict, and developing effective communication skills.
- Career Guidance: Helping high school students explore potential career paths, prepare for college applications, and create post-graduation plans.
- Crisis Intervention: Providing immediate support for students dealing with crises, such as mental health issues or traumatic events, and connecting them with appropriate resources.
Elementary School Counselor Job Description
In elementary schools, counselors focus on laying the foundation for students’ social and emotional development. The role is more about building a safe environment where students can thrive academically and socially.
What Do Elementary School Counselors Do?
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Introducing young students to the basics of emotional intelligence, empathy, and problem-solving.
- Conflict Resolution: Helping students navigate disputes with classmates and teaching them how to manage emotions in challenging situations.
- Parent and Teacher Collaboration: Working closely with teachers and parents to ensure students are progressing both academically and emotionally.
- Counseling: Providing one-on-one or group sessions on age-appropriate topics like bullying, social skills, friendship building, or anger management.
Middle School Counselor Job Description
Middle school can be a challenging time for students as they navigate the transition from childhood to adolescence. School counselors at this level are essential in helping students cope with the changes they’re experiencing emotionally, academically, and socially.
What Do Middle School Counselors Do?
- Academic Guidance: Assisting students with selecting the right courses and managing academic workload.
- Peer Pressure and Social Skills: Helping students build self-esteem and make positive choices in dealing with peer pressure, bullying, and relationships.
- Crisis Intervention: Providing support for students dealing with more complex issues such as family problems, anxiety, or depression.
- High School Preparation: Introducing students to the concept of high school and beyond, helping them understand the importance of making good academic and personal choices.
High School Counselor Job Description
High school counselors play a key role in helping students navigate some of the biggest decisions they’ll face. Often referred to as career or guidance counselors, they help with everything from figuring out college admissions to exploring future careers, all while offering support during what can be an emotional and confusing time. The role is diverse, and they are there to help students through it all—academics, personal challenges, and everything in between.
What Do High School Counselors Do?
- College Counseling: Helping students choose colleges, navigate the application process, write personal statements, and apply for financial aid.
- Career Guidance: Assisting students with career exploration, providing resources for internships and job shadowing.
- Personal Counseling: Offering counseling for students dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or relationship issues, often collaborating with outside professionals when needed.
- Academic Advising: Ensuring students are meeting graduation requirements and advising them on course selection that aligns with their future goals.
- College and Career Readiness Programs: Leading workshops and seminars on topics like college applications, scholarships, and job readiness.
School Counselors: The Heart of Student Success
A school counselor’s job is as rewarding as it is challenging. Whether they are helping a young child resolve a conflict with a classmate, guiding a middle schooler through their first major life changes, or helping a high schooler plan their future, school counselors play a big role in shaping the path ahead for students.
If you’re passionate about helping students overcome challenges and achieve their goals, a career as a school counselor might be the perfect fit for you. Explore Soliant’s wide range of school counselor opportunities here today!
Looking for more information on education and school therapy careers? Browse Soliant’s additional education career resources here, featuring resume templates, step-by-step job guides, and more!
