guidance counselor
Student support professional
A guidance counselor is a school employee who helps students with academic planning, college applications, and personal problems.
The role combines practical advising—course selection, graduation requirements, career options—with emotional support during difficult periods: I talked to my guidance counselor about switching to AP classes.
In American schools, guidance counselors typically manage large caseloads, limiting one-on-one time with students.
Related to skilled work
- job placementMatching workers to positions
- career planningOrganizing professional future steps
- aptitude testExam measuring natural capabilities
- internshipSupervised professional trial period
resume · interview prep · trade school · apprenticeship · workforce · occupation · career assessment · job shadowing
Sharing another's emotions
- listeningAttending to sound
- confidentialityQuality of protecting secrets
- trustConfidence in another
- encouragementSupport spurring continued effort
compassion · understanding · safe space · validation · reassurance · crisis intervention · conflict resolution · referral
Higher education institution
- universityHigher education institution
- admissionsActs of letting in
- scholarshipsFunds awarded for study
- FAFSAFederal aid application form
SAT · ACT · GPA · transcripts · electives · prerequisites · graduation requirements · diploma
Person others emulate
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
- goal-settingEstablishing intended outcomes
- personal growthIntentional self-improvement over time
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
life skills · decision-making · self-discovery · potential · encouragement · future planning · accountability · advice
Granted official permission
- certificationAttestation of qualification
- caseloadProfessional's assigned matters
- office hoursDesignated meeting availability
- appointmentScheduled time for something
student services · ethics · confidentiality · professional standards · school psychologist · parent conference
vocational
Related to skilled work
- job placementMatching workers to positions
- career planningOrganizing professional future steps
- aptitude testExam measuring natural capabilities
internship · resume · interview prep · trade school · apprenticeship · workforce · occupation · career assessment · job shadowing · work-study
empathy
Sharing another's emotions
- listeningAttending to sound
- confidentialityQuality of protecting secrets
- trustConfidence in another
encouragement · compassion · understanding · safe space · validation · reassurance · crisis intervention · conflict resolution · referral · advocacy
college
Higher education institution
- universityHigher education institution
- admissionsActs of letting in
- scholarshipsFunds awarded for study
FAFSA · SAT · ACT · GPA · transcripts · electives · prerequisites · graduation requirements · diploma · major
role model
Person others emulate
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
- goal-settingEstablishing intended outcomes
- personal growthIntentional self-improvement over time
empowerment · life skills · decision-making · self-discovery · potential · encouragement · future planning · accountability · advice · one-on-one
licensed
Granted official permission
- certificationAttestation of qualification
- caseloadProfessional's assigned matters
- office hoursDesignated meeting availability
appointment · student services · ethics · confidentiality · professional standards · school psychologist · parent conference
- counselorsacademic advisor
- elementary schoolclassroom, student, first grade teacher, reading skills, teacher
- high schoolhigh school, teachers, classroom, classrooms, principal
- school termsfreshman, sophomore, junior, senior, homework
- advisorspolicy advisors, consultant, adviser, advisor, think tanks
- counselingpsychotherapy, family therapy, group therapy, couples therapy, individual therapy
guidance counselordisciplinarian
Strict enforcer of rules
truant officer · vice principal · bad influence · corrupter · misleader
guidance counselordrill sergeant
Trains raw recruits harshly
authoritarian · gatekeeper · discourager · naysayer · obstacle
guidance counselortherapist
Mental health practitioner
psychiatrist · psychologist · clinical psychologist · psychoanalyst
guide, guidance, guided, guiding, counselor, guidebook, misguided, guides, counseling