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INTRODUCTION

Guidance counseling started about 100 years ago with caring teachers that helped their

students plan for their future. By the early 1900's, students had more occupational and

educational options so guidance counseling became a profession. Today's students opportunities

are more varied but so are the problems and concerns of our society. Changes in our society

seem to happen rapidly and the amount of new information people are expected to absorb seems

to be growing just as quickly. All of these factors emphasize the need for trained guidance

counselors to help students learn to lead meaningful and satisfying lives.

Guidance counselors do so many things and provide such valuable information for a

student who might be struggling with life choices. They can counsel students individually or

sometimes in small groups. A guidance counselors job can range from leading a classroom

discussion to administering placement tests. They also meet with students, parents, teachers, and

other members of the school staff to discuss important issues. They also help students arrange

their classroom schedules.

In elementary schools, guidance counselors try to anticipate problems that may occur in

students lives and then try to prevent these problems from happening. Some elementary school

counselors can work with the students in the gifted learning program or they can sometimes

work with students with learning disabilities who have special needs. Counselors can work with

a team that may include the school principal, a psychologist, an evaluator, a social worker,

special-education teachers, and parents. At all times elementary school counselors work closely

with parents, teachers, and school administrators.

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In junior high schools, guidance counselors work with other school professionals to help identify

the developmental and learning needs of students. Students at these grade levels experience

many physical and emotional changes that can affect how they view themselves and how they

perform in school.

At the high school level, guidance counselors are concerned with educational and career

guidance while they also focus on the personal development of the students. High school

counselors help students choose school courses and activities that relate to their interests which

will prepare them for life after high school. They also show students how to apply for college or

for job-training programs. Counselors can provide information on almost any topic and then help

a student put this information to use in choosing the best future career path. Whether it is college

or job training programs, counselors provide information for students who want to continue their

education. They also have information about entrance requirements, financial-aid programs, and

entry-level job opportunities in the areas where they might be attending school. Sometimes

counselors work in drug and alcohol abuse programs as well as in the programs for high school

dropouts or teenage parents.

To become a guidance counselor, each state has certain educational requirements. Most

states require a college degree plus one to two years of special study in guidance counseling.

Some states may also require teaching experience. Personal characteristics are just as important

as educational requirements when it comes to being a guidance counselor. You must have the

capabilities of being caring, patient, and open-minded, and to believe that everyone can change.

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One of guidance counselors main goals is to help students understand themselves so they can

develop into adults who are capable of living productive and fulfilling lives.

Provide support to students in small group, classrooms or individually.

Responsible to interview students and parents.

Responsible to administer psychological exam.

Ability ofprogram development, group facilitator and case management.

Able to work under strict deadlines.

Ability to complete written reports assigned by guidance counselor.

Ability to complete home visits and assignments.

Able to do other duties as assigned.

One of the requirements as graduating students of the Career Guidance is On-the-Job Training.

This Training exposes us to the real environment of a certain organization. Thus, adjusting

oneself and mingling others is a must to cope up with different standards and attitudes of every

individual in a particular field of industry. In furtherance, OJT will be a bridge to enhance our

skills in communication and technical activities that makes it a plus point the sooner we landed a

job and help ease the culture shock while dealing with different specialized people of theirexpertise.