What Counselors Do Four

This is part four of a series of roles that counselors play at City College.  Feel free to add to the list!

Researcher (Kelli) – When you come in to see me, chances are good that we’ll spend at least part of our session (no matter how long or short that session is) on the internet.  Contrary to popular belief, I don’t know everything.  I’m pretty good, however, at finding the stuff that I don’t know, using the tools at my disposal.  That said, you’re not off the hook.  If it’s a complicated question asked in a ten-minute walk-in, I’ll find you a source or two, then send you off to do more research yourself.  Why?  It’s your life – if you’re not interested enough in the topic to type it into the Google search box, then you’re probably not going to enjoy it in the classroom.

Detective (Ray) – Learn to investigate. It’s a skill that will take you far. Investigate the kind of career you want by info interviewing (talking to people who do the work), job shadowing (can I watch you work?), internship (let me earn some college credit for learning on the job), volunteering, or just plain snooping around. Investigate the major at the school by touring the campus, chatting with students and faculty, going to the department to ask questions. Investigate a prospective employer by finding out about their mission, their culture and values, how they treat employees, the kind of people who work there, the possibilities for advancement and promotion. Investigate instructors before selecting the class by looking at their books, talking to other students, or speaking to instructors.  

What Counselors Do

Intro

Two

Three