Trust Matters: The Importance Of Post-Secondary Education

Caucasian students as well as those that come from upper-class families, tend to be overrepresented (Kim, Y. K., & Sax, L. J. (2009), whereas people of color, in this case, immigrants, compose 5% of the immigrants that obtain a college degree (Williams, S. , & Ferrari, J. (2015). Those from the upper-class families seek the assistance of faculty and professors,

My pursuit of becoming a School Counselor led me to apply to the School Counseling Master’s Program at University of Maryland, College Park. I am a former student at University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. After graduating and teaching for two years in Prince George’s County Public Schools, I discovered my true passion lies not only in the classroom and students’ academics, but playing a pivotal role in the growth of their career, social, and personal development. Although I am no longer teaching full-time at the moment, my interaction with students from diverse backgrounds left an indelible responsibility to continue making a difference in our students. The objectives and mission of the School Counseling Master’s Program at University of Maryland can best help my goal of becoming an effective counselor and leader who is an agent of change to students and service the mental and emotional well-being of the younger generation.

Although a proportion of colleges and universities create programs and interventions that would provide support for all students equally, the collegiate achievement gap among the racial/ethnic minority is still a pressing issue. Researchers suggest that college students from minority groups are susceptible to the five sources of chronic strain (Schneiderman, Ironson, & Siegel, 2005). For example, having a full-time job, or problems between role sets (students and parents). As such, students may struggle with finding funds for college tuition and supplies, resolving housing and safety issues, finding help them care for dependent children, and accessing healthcare. Those situations are especially true for the minority students because they may face more challenge while developing time management and coping skills.

According to the American School Counseling Association (ASCA), the “purpose of the school counseling program is to impart specific skills and learning opportunities in a proactive, preventive manner, ensuring all students can achieve school success through academic, career, and personal/social development experiences” (Oberman & Studer, 2011, p. 1). The ASCA National Model is used by school counselors to show devotion to student success (ASCA, n.d.-c, p. 1). The four components of the ASCA National Model are foundation, delivery, management, and accountability (ASCA, n.d.-c, p. 1).

From this twenty year counseling veteran I learned about a functioning guidance program, the role of the counselor, the amount of time she spends in various components of the program, how to foster a positive relationship with the teachers and faculty, ways to continue to develop professionally, and insight for a future career in school counseling. As I drove away from the school, I felt a mix of emotions such as, intimidation, excitement, and hopefulness to name a few. When I began to try to take in just how much is required and how many people rely on a school counselor it was intimidating. In my mind I began to wonder if it is possible for one person to be that much to that many people and still keep some kind of balance. As soon as the thought passed through my mind, I immediately heard the words of wisdom that had been shared with me, "don 't beat yourself up for not being able to be everything to everybody." I also reflected on how upbeat the counselor sounded when she talked about her role in helping students become "the best people

School Counselors strive to make each student feel that there is someone in the school who knows and cares about them. Above all else school counselors are advocates for students, by acting as a resource for all students, course selection, and administration of guidance program for the student. Their goal is to help students overcome problems that impede learning and to assist them in making educational, occupational and life plans that hold promise for their personal fulfillment as mature, responsible men and women. Academic success is essential to the educational process, but it is not the only area students can excel in. A counselor’s work closely with both students and their families

In schools all over the world today, School Counselors are crucial to assisting students, parents, school administrations, and the community. I believe that creating an effective counseling program that supports the counselors’ role in education will foster a close interaction between students and counselor to achieve success in their personal/social lives, academic achievements, and college readiness careers.

As students are a step away from going to college, they are frightful of their path after high school. Once students know their college choices, they are faced with making one final choice of where to attend. Usually, a student’s college decision is made by considering the distance from his/her home as well as if their parents will be able to afford the expenses that their college asks for. Colleges, though, look into the distance from home, SAT score, high school GPA, parents income, parents education, ethnicity, and gender in order for a student to be accepted into their college. All of these factors are important, but the one that tends to have a heavier weight in a student's college

The Hispanic/Latino community has been known to be underrepresented on college campuses, both at the community college and four-year university level. Factors such as low-income households, poor or harsh living conditions, under-educated parents, cultural and family commitments, and unfamiliarity with the college process, all serve as unfortunate barriers that keep Hispanic/Latino students from reaching the goal of attaining college degrees. Although these barriers keep many students from succeeding, many others overcome these obstacles and continue on their paths to creating a better future for themselves. They choose to look past the expectations that society has for them and break out of the stereotypical mold. However, Hispanic/Latino students face, yet, another challenge upon successfully making it on to a college campus... the challenge of graduating.

Students from low-income and first generation backgrounds often struggle in different academic subjects. Subsequently, students have lower expectations for themselves when it comes to academic achievement. The majority of first generation students come from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Seeing that, families work countless hours in factories and other places where they are underpaid because of the lack of educational opportunity they experienced themselves. According to Blackwell and Pinder (2014) in the United States higher education is becoming the outlet to different avenues of opportunity whether it is through social mobility or economic progress. While screening out possible topics of interest for a research proposal, one of the challenges I encountered in my field experience was the lack of college access education and funding for the families in the urban high schools. The first generation student family typically is unaware of the college process because the student’s parents have not attended an institution of higher education. Therefore, the students cannot count on their knowledge of the process. Eventually, when students reach the financial aid process it becomes difficult because parents usually cannot afford full tuition expenses and at the same time do not understand the process. In these situations, schools with a college going culture can prepare staff to provide extra support to students by developing professional training in college access, mentorship

Many programs are targeted to support members of minority, low income, disabled, or first generation students (Kezar, 2000). The main focus of most programs is to give disadvantaged students the same chance of graduating as non-minority students (Ohland & Crockett, 2002). Several common factors play a role in impeding minority acclimation into the college environment, which include: a lack of academic preparation, a lack of peers with common characteristics, and financial need

Obtaining a degree remains one of the most important pathways to economic and social class in the United States (U.S.), regardless of rising tuition costs and the value of having a higher education coming in to question. Of the 20.6 million students enrolled in a college or university, first-generation college students represents about one-third (The Institute for Higher Education Policy, 2012). These group of individuals are more likely to encounter academic, financial, professional, cultural, and emotional difficulties (Sanez, Hurtado, Barrera, Wolf, and Yeung, 2007).

While an effort has been made to allow for a more seamless transition from high school to college or from AEL to college, there still is not a strong effort to increase persistence among African American students. According to Bush and Bush, (2010), African American males, in particular, are “under-achieving and lag behind their counterparts in the community college system. . .” (p. 52). With AEL aligning with the community college model, one could conclude that African American males are lagging behind their counterparts in AEL as well. According to Bush and Bush (2010), “There is a pronounced scarcity of educational literature and research about the community college system in general and African American

Serving students with different backgrounds, personalities, or beliefs may not be the easiest thing to do, as their thought process may differ. Therefore, it is essential for school counselors to find healthy ways to build on a school counselor-student relationship. There are several characteristics or behaviors that I feel school counselors should have, that helps them maintain a relationship with their students. Students can be more willing to open-up their thoughts or accept suggestions when the school counselor is a good listener. A lot of the times, we can think that we have to do all the talking, but is necessary to step back and listen at the students first. Also, school counselors must be friendly and easy to approach. Students can feel more comfortable with individuals they like and accept. In addition, it is essential for all school counselors to appreciate diversity. It is important for school counselors to

In schools all over the world today, School Counselors are crucial to assisting students, parents, school administrations, and the community. I believe that creating an effective counseling program that supports the counselors’ role in education will foster a close interaction between students and counselor to achieve success in their personal/social lives, academic achievements, and college readiness careers.