Advocacy in School Counseling: An Internship Experience

Location

Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall

Description

INTRODUCTION: The daily tasks and required commitments of school counselors change depending on the perceptions of the person assigning them. The profession can be seen through several lenses that requires advocacy for the appropriate use of time and duties for school counselors. CHALLENGE: The school counseling profession has encountered many limitations that have restricted the implementation of comprehensive school counseling programs. In the same light, these limitations have given school counselors the opportunity to advocate for their profession to serve students. The central challenge focused on managing time for appropriate duties when some tasks did not align with the school counselor role. EXPERIENCE: During my internship I completed a Closing The Gap (CTG) project. I invested time into highlighting and addressing specific needs of students. I was able to identify whether or not my approach was effective in addressing these needs. I also attended the Michigan School Counselor Association (MSCA) Lobby Day to lobby for the appropriate use of school counselors. OUTCOME: The need for professional advocacy has become apparent throughout my internship experiences. My internship helped me recognize the importance of advocating for school counselors so that they can better serve students using their skills as school counselors to support academic, career, and social/emotional development of all students. IMPACT: In progressing through my internship, I have seen the need for advocacy and dared to be a voice at my internship site as well as during Lobby Day.

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Apr 15th, 3:30 PM

Advocacy in School Counseling: An Internship Experience

Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall

INTRODUCTION: The daily tasks and required commitments of school counselors change depending on the perceptions of the person assigning them. The profession can be seen through several lenses that requires advocacy for the appropriate use of time and duties for school counselors. CHALLENGE: The school counseling profession has encountered many limitations that have restricted the implementation of comprehensive school counseling programs. In the same light, these limitations have given school counselors the opportunity to advocate for their profession to serve students. The central challenge focused on managing time for appropriate duties when some tasks did not align with the school counselor role. EXPERIENCE: During my internship I completed a Closing The Gap (CTG) project. I invested time into highlighting and addressing specific needs of students. I was able to identify whether or not my approach was effective in addressing these needs. I also attended the Michigan School Counselor Association (MSCA) Lobby Day to lobby for the appropriate use of school counselors. OUTCOME: The need for professional advocacy has become apparent throughout my internship experiences. My internship helped me recognize the importance of advocating for school counselors so that they can better serve students using their skills as school counselors to support academic, career, and social/emotional development of all students. IMPACT: In progressing through my internship, I have seen the need for advocacy and dared to be a voice at my internship site as well as during Lobby Day.