Counselors available for academic, career guidance
By: Patrick Olds
-Opinions Editor-
Counselors are readily available on every STLCC campus to assist with a wide array of situations that students face. From academic advising to career planning to personal problems, the counselors throughout STLCC-Meramec are a resource to utilize.
Lin Crawford is the department chairwoman of counseling. She helped give some insight into her area of expertise. “Often, students are unaware that counseling provides personal counseling services for all of our students free of charge. Often students experience job stress, academic difficulties, substance abuse, relationship problems, financial problems, etc. Counselors are available to discuss these issues as well as academic and career related issues,” said Crawford.
Academic counseling is the asset that most students should check out if unsure about setting academic goals, deciding which courses to take, adjusting to the difference between high school and college life and time management. Counselors are able to help students learn different ways to achieve, deal with test anxieties, plan their future to a four-year school, and make students aware of the resources available to them as an STLCC student.
Academic counseling is also available to help struggling students on academic probation during school. If a student falls below a 2.0 GPA during their time at Meramec, then they forfeit their right to self-advising which means that course selections and planning is only done with a counselor.
Crawford said, “Counselors offer students the opportunity to adjust their academic plans and strategies so that they will be able to achieve their stated goals.”
Career counseling is a valuable resource that can put students on a path to a career of their interest and abilities. This will help if a student is somewhat lost or does not have a clearly defined plan for his or her future. This service can be extremely valuable. Students don’t necessarily have to take classes that don’t interest or benefit their future and can save money in the process.
There are plenty of services that counselors have at their disposal that help to decipher different interests of each individual student, such as discussions and assessment tests, as well as personality and interest inventories. These tools help to find the strengths and weaknesses of each student while gauging their interest in certain relatable careers.
“Sometimes, students can be encouraged to seek help with the assistance of a friend or trusted faculty member. This can help build trust and confidence in the counselor. Also, knowing that all counseling sessions are confidential is an important factor in deciding to seek help,” said Crawford.
Issues may arise from family problems, to depression, drug and alcohol abuse, or many others that are difficult to control without help.
Crawford alluded to the fact that knowing resources are available is half the battle most students face when in college, whether it be from academic, career, or personal issues, it is difficult to improve the situation if there is no one to talk to. There are always counselors available for any situation, and they would be more than happy to help or point students in the right direction. Meramec counselors are located in Clark Hall Ad, 202. Their website is http://stlcc.edu/Student_Resources/Counseling.
