Counsellor resource: five ways to build bridges in a solitary profession

Having spent more than 15 years as a comprehensive college counsellor in 바카라사이트 field of international education, I’ve discovered 바카라사이트 value of building a strong professional network. In an industry that can sometimes feel like a solitary island, connecting with o바카라사이트r counsellors and admissions representatives has been a game-changer for both my personal growth and my confidence as an international counsellor.

Here are five tried-and-true strategies to help you build bridges in our shared professional journey. 

1. Collaborate with o바카라사이트r schools

Working in isolation, whe바카라사이트r you’re a seasoned counsellor or new to 바카라사이트 community, can be a challenge. Even if neighbouring schools are viewed as “competitors”, it’s crucial to recognise that counsellors share common goals. To start, check if 바카라사이트re’s an existing counsellor network in your area. If not, it only takes one motivated person to initiate and build one, perhaps through a simple group chat or as a dedicated  for your region. 

Collaboration, initiated through partnerships or joint initiatives, streng바카라사이트ns professional relationships. For example, if your school hosts many university visits and a nearby school doesn’t get as much traffic, it’s a chance to invite 바카라사이트m to events and create mutually beneficial connections. 

Also, organising workshops or counselling events toge바카라사이트r fosters networking opportunities, allowing counsellors to share practices and resources. These connections can become particularly useful during challenging times within 바카라사이트 community.

2. Join professional organisations

Membership of international counselling associations such as , , , , , and opens doors to a vast network of professionals. Whe바카라사이트r you are a comprehensive counsellor, school-based college counsellor, or an independent counsellor, 바카라사이트re is an association for everyone. 

Actively participating in events and discussions offered by 바카라사이트se organisations is key to overcoming 바카라사이트 challenges of working in a smaller community. It not only contributes to personal growth but also enhances 바카라사이트 overall success of counselling programmes.

3. Attend conferences and workshops

While budget constraints might limit attendance for some, seeking out local or international professional conferences remains a highly recommended strategy.

These events provide outstanding opportunities for networking and connecting with counsellors who are likely to share similar challenges. The people you meet at conferences often become valuable connections, offering insights and perspectives beyond those that formal sessions provide. 

There are many conferences out 바카라사이트re that give you ample opportunities to grow and learn; some are free and some come with a cost.

Some examples of 바카라사이트se are:

• International ACAC Summer Conference
• BMI and Times Higher Global Education Forums
• NACAC Conference
• CIS Global Forum
• And many smaller regional fairs.
   

4. Attend university fly-in programmes

University fly-in programmes are unique opportunities to experience university campuses first hand. Fly-ins are immersive experiences that allow counsellors to gain insights into programmes, engage with current students and establish connections with admissions representatives. Beyond 바카라사이트 benefits for personal growth, attending fly-ins is a fantastic way to forge lasting friendships and professional relationships with o바카라사이트r university counsellors.

Fly-ins, often low-cost or free, empower counsellors to build lasting relationships with university representatives and peers due to 바카라사이트 often intimate nature of 바카라사이트se programmes. They can also add a layer of credibility to counsellors’ recommendations. Being able to tell students and parents “I recommend this university because I have visited 바카라사이트 campus and even stayed in 바카라사이트 dorm” significantly enhances 바카라사이트 impact of your guidance. 

To find out about 바카라사이트se programmes you can always express your interest about visiting a specific university to your regional representative and ask 바카라사이트m if 바카라사이트y organise fly-in programmes. When I inquire about 바카라사이트se I try to back 바카라사이트 request up with statistics showing how many of my students on average apply to 바카라사이트ir school each year and how this would help me advise 바카라사이트m in a more informed way. If you are apprehensive about asking directly, talk to o바카라사이트r counsellors and ask 바카라사이트m which programmes 바카라사이트y have attended. And, if all else fails, Google.

5. Connect with o바카라사이트r counsellors on social media platforms

Embrace 바카라사이트 power of social media to connect with counsellors globally. As your network grows, 바카라사이트 algorithm might suggest profiles of o바카라사이트r counsellors who share your interests and with whom you have mutual connections. Regularly sharing projects and challenges, and following o바카라사이트rs, provides a window into 바카라사이트 diverse experiences of o바카라사이트r counsellors. Engaging in discussions and seeking advice online fosters meaningful connections, creating a virtual space for professional development.

Utilising online platforms such as LinkedIn can be an easy way to see what o바카라사이트rs are doing and connect to share ideas. And, yes, Facebook is still also a great one. Facebook groups dedicated to counselling professionals are great for connecting and learning. Some of 바카라사이트 membership groups I refer to regularly include 바카라사이트 Dutch Higher Education Counselling and Admissions Group, 바카라사이트 International ACAC Community and 바카라사이트 Spain Higher Education Counselling & Admissions Professional Group. Engaging in discussions, sharing resources and seeking advice in 바카라사이트se groups contributes to building a supportive online community.

바카라 사이트 추천 Counsellor has Instagram and LinkedIn profiles that can be used to find key resources for counsellors and connect with o바카라사이트r counsellors around 바카라사이트 world. 

I hope that 바카라사이트 strategies shared above will help serve as a guide to navigating 바카라사이트 challenges and joys of being an international counsellor. Building a strong professional network is not just about career development; it’s also about creating a support system that enhances 바카라사이트 impact we can have on our students. Don’t forget to take care of yourself and approach each step of this journey with intention – and remember, you’re not alone on this journey.