About 30 percent of first-year college students in the United States drop out before their sophomore year. This can be linked to many factors. It can start with a student feeling a specific course isn’t a good fit. Several other students may never have a chance to attain their educational goals because of inferiority complex issues or zero know-how about the general application process. That’s how important your role is if you are a college counselor. Students trust college counselors to help them pursue their aspirations. Therefore, college counselors need to provide quality services to remain relevant to students. Here are some tips to help you succeed as a college counselor.
Listen more.
Every student seeking counseling bears some level of doubt, confusion, or pain. The last thing they want is a college admissions consultant adding more to their woes by being unreceptive. School counselors need to be empathetic, putting themselves in their clients’ shoes one session at a time. The best way to guarantee an empathetic service to your clients is to listen more than you speak. Listening helps you grasp problems in detail. That way, you can provide solutions that accurately fit students’ needs.
Focus on your environment.
College counseling sessions can span several hours depending on a consultant’s methods. Staying in a stuffy and cluttered workspace might be uncomfortable for your clients, so a serene environment can be a college counselor’s best asset. Making clients feel comfortable can be a great way to help students through their challenges and ensure customer retention. Some consultants may prefer a less conventional approach if facilitating sessions in the open. Choose whatever style works best for you but ensure it’s the right fit for your clients.
Respect confidentiality.
Clients may have reservations about selective colleges, or a student may have a reason for dropping out of the eighth grade. Some submissions may sound out of place, but it’s essential to keep matters between you and your client. Make trustworthiness a special consideration. Respecting the client-consultant privilege can be a great way to ramp up trust and keep the relationship going even after clients move on. Trust breeds respect and praise for your work, increasing your success rate in turn.
Connect with clients beyond sessions.
Top college admissions consultants may never leave the picture even after clients get what they want. It’s one thing to ensure a student passes an admission committee’s interview. It’s another to put measures in place so students pull through. Your job as an admissions expert may transcend consulting sessions. Keep a contact list of clients and reach out regularly.
Review methods.
Consulting methods may fall out of relevance. As an admissions consultant seeking success, it pays to review methods periodically. Appeal to clients to send feedback after your sessions. If you want to attend to students of all ages, ensure all levels have a say in all your solutions. Reviewing methods can also be a great way to maintain confidence in yourself and your processes. Counseling is nothing short of knowledge work, so researching new methods and indicators to assess your operations can never be a miss.
Network with colleagues.
New concepts and methods emerge in the consulting industry every now and then. Being in good standing with other colleagues can be a great way to familiarize yourself with such innovation and leverage it for success. Several consulting communities exist to keep you in the loop, such as the Independent Education Consultants Association and Higher Education Consultants Association. These associations may have membership prerequisites for each consultant. Do well to do your background search and ensure if their policies resonate well with your vision. There may be some other private options, and you can inquire from your colleagues or field your discovery online.
We hope the above tips will help with your career as a college counselor.
