a counselor's helping hand

By Brenda Rivas Palominos

What does it mean to be a counselor? 

Being a counselor takes dedication, emotionally connecting, and supporting one another. Counseling takes effort to connect with students and give that boost of courage. 

Lina Vasquez, our head counselor, hears and communicates with many students everyday, she shares her story on how she became a counselor and why she wanted to help others. 

Vasquez knows how to relate with students and provide them with the advice and support needed. She knows how hard high school can be and the stress it brings to students. 

But why did she choose to become a counselor?

Vasquez had first attended college undeclared about what to major in. She was studying human development at the time advising students throughout her time in college. After the experience she looked into school counseling as well as getting the encouragement and inspiration of her friends to do so.

Vasquez: “I enjoyed the process of the one on one conversations giving guidance and feedback, a lot of my friends were already majoring in school counseling so I decided to pursue it as well.” 

Being able to communicate with students and supporting them is one of the big priorities in what it takes to be a counselor. Vasquez has heard many life stories from many students since every person has different perspectives. Coming from a first generation college graduate she feels that she can connect with the students. 

Vasquez: “Every student has a story, learning from them and advising them I feel as though I can relate to many students here since I know many parents did not go to college. Coming from a first generation graduate, I want to encourage and help them discover their goals.”

Giving guidance and support to many students is a very big role to accomplish. Giving them the support they need can create a positive impact and having someone to communicate with can help a lot. 

Vasquez: “During my high school I did not have a counselor who would communicate with me one on one like how we have here at Yerba Buena. I feel that having someone to speak with can at least encourage students to know that we are always here for them and listen to any issues they may have school wise and personal.” 

Holding this role for the past years is not an easy task to do, Vasquez at times deals with difficult moments and situations. At times when students tend to lose a lot of motivation to continue with their studies and come to school, Vasquez finds these moments to be the most difficult. 

Vasquez: “Not being able to instill motivation to students is one of the big factors I deal with when it comes to counseling. It gets hard for me to give motivation since I feel that this is something within students to achieve.” 

Although having many difficulties and having to communicate with more than one student, Vasquez declares the main importance in what she wants students to know when it comes to her counseling. Coming from her past experience in high school she knows how difficult it can get and how difficult it is to achieve it. 

Vasquez: “Knowing that there will always be options out there. Even if you are not doing well academically and or highschool maybe isn’t for you, there can and will always be options to continue on. You can always start over. High school does not determine who you are. 

Taking on this role of guidance and support is not an easy job to accomplish, yet Vasquez has been able to help and manage throughout the years. She states that she will continue to take this role for a very long time since she enjoys helping others and giving that boost of confidence.