The Guidance Councilor in the 21st Century     

        The councilor is like a gardener who prepares the soil and does everything he can do help each other plant grow in its best way. Like the gardener who know the components of the soil, what is fertile soil or not, the guidance counselor knows about the environment, surroundings, or in general the  society-social groups, processes, field of occupation, innovations and changing technologies and basic imperatives of man. Like the gardener who has the expertise in the nature of plants, the counselor knows each individual in terms of his aspirations, beliefs, abilities, capabilities, interests, background and personality. As such, the guidance counselor plays a very vital role in the development of individual towards self-direction. He becomes the aide of a person who seeks the light of guidance. however, times have changed, many innovations have been made and technology has catapulted the human race to new heights and to the effect, guidance counselors have to adapt to advances of time.

       Due to changing times, a guidance counselor should have sufficient knowledge  of computers of their hi-tech facilities related to their profession. At this point in time, computers make our daily lives easy and it is just practical that we know how to use them. Similarly, if a counselors make use of them, it would make their jobs lighter and could nonetheless devote their remaining time to other things. For instance, we are aware that counselors do make researches to update themselves. If they go to libraries, it would eat a lot of time but if they have computers, they could  just press a button and the facts needed would appear before them without consuming  much time and effort. furthermore, guidance counselors could also use computers to store confidential data; review cases of specific clients and of course easily access much needed information about an individual. There is no doubt that this highly advanced equipment provides a lot of advantages to everyone and it just right that counselors acquire the technological know-how of operating such things.           

        In relation to technological breakthroughs, guidance counselors must be able to understand socio-economic changes happening around us. Events like inflation, coup d'etat, as well as politics that significantly affect the working conditions, employment trends, formal training and work experiences, attitudes toward life and living  conditions of many individuals. These circumstances influence the behavior or outlook of people in life to the extent that they view of life negatively. for example, during hours of crisis when working conditions are low, people feel down and depressed to the point that they lose focus and control of things. At this point, if counselors have socio-economic awareness, they could give useful and meaningful insights and advice  to the troubled person. This shows that awareness and knowledge of different things ( technological, socio-economic, and political) are very important not just for counselors but to people themselves. Guidance counselors also need to develop their communication skills. As a counselor, he has be an efficient communicator for the counseling process to be successful. Being a good communicator for the counseling process to be successful. Being a good communicator entails not only speaking but active listening and responding to the plight of the client. Counseling is a two way process and as such, the counselor does not talk at the time, he has also listens and hears whatever the the counselee wants to convey.   

          In this way, we can better guide the person towards self-development. I am not saying that the counselors are poor communicators or have poor communication skills. It would be nice if they could expand their horizons in the art of communication for it would not only be beneficial on his part but to both (counselor and counselee) of them. Guidance counselors must not be confined to the walls of the guidance office and instead  reach out to our less fortunate brothers. for guidance counselors can belike doctors pr preachers of faith who travel and conduct services to people who cannot avail their help due to financial or any other reasons. If they really want to guide, direct or assist individuals, they should make the move of reaching out. Finally, Guidance counselors of the 21st Century must not stop learning. They should continue to acquire knowledge and gain mastery of new things. by working  hard to learn they would be able to cope up with the advances occurring in the society. If we do not search for new knowledge and remain where we stand, we would be left behind by time. Above all, guidance counselors must not lose their hearts and concerns for individuals, for this is what makes the exceptional in their field. If he has mastered all the skills needed to be good counselor but does not have the passion for people, it is useless for he will only be the best when his heart is sincere in helping others. Thus, the counselor of the 21st century must be an expert in his field in so far as he has the ability ti make use of his tools and at the same time the ability to get along with people. anyway, the world is not just knowledge, skill and power it is also characterized by compassion for human life.

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                                                     Last updated May 25, 2001