Questions Students Should Ask Their School Counselor
Create a resume. You may not think a resume is necessary until it’s time to apply for a
job or college, but such a list of accomplishments, community service, involvement in school or
civic groups, and other endeavors will let your counselor know what you’re interested in. When
a scholarship or award opportunity crosses the guidance desk, your counselor is much more
likely to nominate or alert you if they know you’re a good candidate.
Allow plenty of time. If you need your counselor to write a letter of recommendation or
fill out an application, plan to give them at least two weeks. This allows them time to think about
you and how to best represent you.
Get involved. Counselors say that you should actively participate in planning your
academic and professional careers to get the most out of high school and beyond. The Internet
allows you to find out about careers, search for and select colleges, discover scholarship and
grant opportunities, and explore financial aid options. Your school counselor can help you find
the best ways to search, including using Choices®
, Iowa’s designated career information and
decision-making program.
