What is a school counseling internship and how to become one

(1) What's your self-care plan? 2020 has been brutal for many reasons. I've assigned my students to create self-care videos which serve the purpose of documenting, reinforcing and habituating to a positive mental health self- care practice. Students have delivered, creating 3 - 4 minute works of art reflecting their unique takes at wellness. Whether it is an audio or videotapes of affirmations, the creation of a miniature home gym or setting regular zoom dates with loved ones, a self-care plan will carry you to other side of the pandemic and fortify hard days of the present. To address deep seated mental health issues that might impact their professional careers, I guide students through a H.A.L.T. assignment, which is a respectful nod to early Alcoholics Anonymous publications and worldview. Upon reflection of what they might be Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired of or about, they must articulate what conscious decision they will take next to address whatever they found out about themselves. So, school counseling career neonate, what's your self-care plan?

(2) Make sure the work you seek reflects your values, not just a quick buck ... unless that's your value. If you are going to be on the front lines during a pandemic, whether it is COVID19 now or some unforeseen malady in the future, it's going to take more than the reward of monetary reimbursement for many of us to endeavor; to go to work, resolutely, because of an unshakeable belief in the importance of the work you do. With over 64 million confirmed COVID19 cases worldwide, and repeated exposure that front line and essential workers face, your work has to be more than just decent. Don't get it twisted. We are well aware that many don't have the privilege of choice regarding the work we do, as basic survival needs must be met and family members are depending on the sustenance your paycheck brings. Yet, you just articulated your values; supporting a family over type of work undertaken. During hard times and in-between strife times, your values about why you do the work you do will sustain you, and we will appreciate you for it.

(3) Up-game your virtual interview presentational skills. While I'm not suggesting you spend extra on a camera or ring lights, we can all work on reducing extraneous noise in our environments, clearing clutter from our background, being mindful of unnecessary nonverbal hand movements, improving visual hygiene, and practicing speaking in an assertive manner. When not speaking, watch your nonverbal communication, resist the urge to multitask and don't forget to remain on mute, unless you are speaking. Just YouTube 'how to look and sound your best on video calls,' and binge on the free information available at the end of a keystroke.

(4) Be clear of your rights and when you start to get a 'moral flu'. At what degree will you set your integrity compass gauge? If you've been analyzing the news recently, then you are well aware that the power of a camera has escalated awareness of long standing abuses to the forefront of the collective American consciousness. But these systemic racial, socio-economic, health, wealth and educational disparities and injustices have always existed; and there have always been witnesses and bystanders to oppression and injustice. So if you see said realities on the job, where will you stand? Should you witness impropriety, maleficence, corruption, abuse of power, racism, sexism ... have you thought about how you will deal with it? I'm not talking about the blatant, flamboyant and outrageous foolery, I'm talking about the micro-aggressive subtleties that can erode the character of an organization, or a child, if left unchecked.While the multi-layered nuisances of these issues are beyond the scope of this article, just pay attention to physical, mental and intuitive signs that you are catching a moral fever because of the injustices you see. And if you are strong enough to be a whistleblower, do you know how to go about it in such a way that will leave you with a piece of yourself that you recognize? Three books for school counselors I recommend include: (1) White Fragility: Why it's so hard for white people to talk about racism by Robin Diangelo (2018); (2) Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Monique W. Morris (2016); and (3) Racism in the United States: Implications for the Helping Professions, by Joshua Miller and Ann Marie Garran (2017).