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Summer Programs for High School Students

Are your students beginning to wonder what they will do this summer? There are many free and paid opportunities out there for them but where do they look? College Matchpoint has put together a great online guide that lists these opportunities all in one place. The guide includes location, area of interest, cost (if there is one), Grade level accepted, when the application is due and a link. Please share with your students and their parents. Here is the link: https://www.collegematchpoint.com/summermatchpoint

Ignite Your Ignite: FREE Conference for Educators

Calling all educators ready to glow and grow in 2025! Join us for a free virtual conference on January 10th-12th, featuring 90-minute workshops with actionable strategies to address burnout, improve student behavior, and boost engagement. Prep for a successful second semester with Ignite Your Light.

P.S. Can’t make it live? No worries – register now, and we’ll send you the recordings to keep the spark alive!

A Bright Path Ahead:
The Complete Schedule

Discover powerful strategies to reenergize and illuminate the way to a strong second semester.

Resilient Educators: From Burnout to Breakthrough

Day 1 | Friday, January 10 | 4-5:30pm PT, 7-8:30pm ET

Educators are the light guiding the future, but burnout can dim even the brightest flame. This empowering keynote by Special Guest Lasada Pippen will reignite your energy and equip you to overcome challenges with resilience and purpose. Through inspiring stories, classroom secrets, and practical tips, you’ll move from Burnout to Breakthrough.

In this keynote, you’ll gain:

+ Practical Strategies: Known, simple science hacks to increase energy and productivity.
+ Motivation: One research-based discovery on how to remain motivated, passionate, and energized.
+ Self-Care: Learn how LP’s “P.O.P.” tip improves overall health.
+ Balance: Improve “TLB” and reconnect personally and professionally.
+ Culture: Learn four culture-transforming keys
+ Empowered: To achieve your breakthrough.

You will emerge with tools to practice self-care, connect with your purpose, and focus on the precious moments instead of the pressure moments.

(Note: PD certificates are issued to people who attend live.)

The Brain in Balance: Understanding Dysregulation and How to Address It In Your Classroom

Day 2 | Saturday, January 11 | 9-10:30am PT, 12-1:30pm ET

Behavioral challenges in the classroom can feel overwhelming, but understanding the science of dysregulation can help you bring balance back. Join Dr. Ilana Nankin and Adriana Robertson for an enlightening workshop that dives into the neuroscience of dysregulation and how it impacts students and educators. This session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to create balance and foster a thriving learning environment.

In this workshop, you will learn:

+ The Science of Dysregulation: Understand how the brain responds to stress and imbalance.
+ How to Recognize the Signs: Identify indicators of dysregulation in yourself and your students.
+ Practical Strategies: Explore tools and techniques to restore regulation and foster resilience.
+ Building Connection: Learn how to create a supportive and balanced classroom environment.
+ PLUS a live Q&A at the end to get all your questions answered!

Walk away with actionable insights to help your students (and yourself) find calm, focus, and connection.

(Note: PD certificates are issued to people who attend live.)

Engaging Hearts and Minds: Wellness-Centered Strategies for Student Engagement

Day 3 | Sunday, January 12 | 9-10:30am PT, 12-1:30pm ET

Inspire students to shine their brightest by creating a classroom environment that prioritizes wellness and social-emotional learning. This session focuses on creating meaningful connections, fostering emotional resilience, and integrating SEL practices to inspire students to show up as their best selves.

In this workshop you will learn…

The Connection Between Wellness and Engagement: Explore how emotional well-being impacts students’ ability to focus and participate.
SEL-Driven Relationship Building: Develop trust and connection with students through empathy and active listening.
Mindful Engagement Techniques: Use mindfulness and reflection practices to spark curiosity and intrinsic motivation.
Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment: Design classroom activities and routines that nurture emotional safety and encourage active participation.
Learn from experts in the field and get your questions answered!

Equip yourself with wellness-centered strategies that engage students’ hearts and minds, empowering them to thrive academically and emotionally.

(Note: PD certificates are issued to people who attend live.)

Register using this link: https://breatheforchange.com/ignite-your-light-2025/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1f_7iHSSwmCD2ryX5K6lk-P6HxX_6yUAF0N3iuZ7lmo2N1fTloFaaM-hU_aem_Nsku3YLw5lOwp7l-xqRX6A#register

20 Fastest Growing Jobs for Remote Work – 2025

Many of your students like the idea of working from home. Demand for fully remote jobs continues to climb, with 81% of people citing “remote work” as the most important factor in a job. What career should they pursue if this is one of their end goals? Remote Jobs just released the list of 20 top fastest growing career fields for remote work. Here is their list:

  1. Engineering
  2. Business Development
  3. Data Entry
  4. Communications
  5. Client Services
  6. Operations
  7. Nursing
  8. Sales
  9. Account Management
  10. Environmental
  11. Education & Training
  12. Banking
  13. Medical & Health
  14. Product
  15. Advertising & PR
  16. Bilingual
  17. Legal
  18. Art & Creative
  19. Social Media
  20. Administrative

Research Dissertation Study: Preparation and Training of School Counselors for Roles in Virtual K-12 Settings

Investigators Name:   
The principal investigator for this study is Tricia Woodliff, Ph.D., CPC, NCC, ACS

Student investigator: Cindy Black, Doctoral Candidate, M.Ed.

Email Contact Information: cindyblack@unr.edu

Informed Consent:
You are invited to participate in a qualitative research dissertation study. This study is conducted by Cindy Black who is enrolled in the Counselor Education and Supervision Ph.D program at the University of Nevada-Reno under the guidance of Dr. Tricia Woodliff.  

The potential impacts of this study are first, to give you as the participant an opportunity to share your story, your struggles, victories, and celebrations. It will also be an opportunity to contribute to best practices and continued professional development opportunities for virtual school counselors and to continue to grow as professionals.

For school counselors, it will inform best practices, and add to the literature on virtual school counselors. Finally it will inform counselor education on the need to train school counselors for work in a virtual setting and outline that training.


To participate in this study, you must meet the following criteria:    
– Be employed as a school counselor in a virtual K-12 setting

-The virtual setting is defined as one that is fully online or a hybrid or blended program

-Work in a setting that is in the United States

This Demographic Survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. If you meet the inclusion criteria (employed as a school counselor in a virtual or hybrid setting; employed in the United States) and are willing to be interviewed, you will be contacted to schedule an interview that will last up to 60 minutes. This interview will be held virtually via Google Meet. All interviews will be recorded using the audio only and transcribed for the study.  

Google Form Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdubCRFs8jewyzJAzdSNnAMV1ABfF-_506BKBo9zKn0vSrrnA/viewform?usp=sf_link


Use of Data:   
The data collected will be used in a dissertation study that is exploring the preparation and training of school counselors for roles in the virtual K-12 setting. The results will be reported and discussed at length in the dissertation. No personal identifiable information will be presented or reported in the study. 

   
Risks/Benefits/Confidentiality of Data:   
Although participants will be submitting their name, phone number, and email address, there are no known risks for participating in this study. Personal identifiable information will only be used to contact participants and schedule an interview. Once the interview is complete, the participants’ information will be removed and assigned a pseudonym. Only the student researcher and advisor will have access to the data during the data collection and analysis phase to limit breach of information and maintain confidentiality. No personal identifiable information will be included in the presentation or report of the study.  


Participation or Withdrawal:   
Your decision to participate or decline participation in this study is voluntary. You may decline to answer any questions and you have the right to withdraw from participation. Withdrawal will not affect your relationship with your respective program in any way. 

 
Contacts:  
If you have any questions about the study or are interested in participating, please contact: Cindy Black; cindyblack@unr.edu


Questions about your rights as a research participant:   
If you have questions about your rights or are dissatisfied at any time with any part of the study, you can contact, anonymously if you wish, the Office of Research Integrity and Security by phone at 775-327-2368 or by email IRB@UNR.edu. UNR’s campus address is 1664 North Virginia Street, Ross Hall 217, Mailstop: 0331, Reno, NV 89557. IRB reference number: 2262120-1.


Thank you in advance for your time and participation. By clicking on the Google Form link, you are indicating that you have read the Informed Consent and are consenting to participate in this study. All participants will have access to the study results.

Introducing the Muslim College Guide

College counselors play a crucial role in guiding students towards higher education institutions where they can thrive academically, socially, and personally. As we strive for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in higher education, it’s essential to consider the unique needs of students from various religious backgrounds, including Muslim students. Many Muslim students face unique challenges in the U.S. higher education landscape, from navigating their cultural and religious identity to finding campuses where they feel a sense of belonging.

To assist in this important work, we’d like to highlight a valuable resource: the Muslim College Guide. The Muslim College Guide is an excellent tool for school and college counselors working with Muslim high school students who are navigating the college selection process. It is a completely free resource that includes advice from college admissions experts, Muslim chaplains serving on college campuses, and Muslim higher education staff who work in various roles across higher education.

The Muslim College Guide can help counselors:

  1. Deepen your understanding of Muslim students’ unique considerations
  2. Facilitate meaningful conversations about factors that contribute to a positive college experience for Muslim students
  3. Equip Muslim students to make well-informed higher education choices
  4. Empower Muslim students to make informed decisions about their higher education journey

By providing students with the Muslim College Guide, counselors can better support Muslim students in finding institutions that align with both their academic goals and religious needs. We encourage all school counselors to familiarize themselves with this resource and incorporate it into their practice when working with Muslim students. By sharing the guide with students, you will be taking an important step towards ensuring that all students, regardless of their religious background, have the opportunity to find a college where they can succeed and feel at home.

Here is a link to the guide: https://www.muslimcampuslife.com/muslim-college-guide/

If you have any questions about this resource or would like to learn more, please contact them at info@muslimcampuslife.com.

Helping Students Weigh the Pros and Cons of Accelerated Degrees Before Applying

In the current fast-paced job market, the quest for higher education has become more competitive for future success. For numerous students, the prospect of an accelerated degree program offers an enticing opportunity to reach their academic and professional aspirations more quickly than conventional pathways allow. Nevertheless, just like any other major life choice, the decision to embark on an accelerated degree program requires careful consideration of its advantages and possible downsides. Before doing so it is important to become aware of some topics that may not as easily come to mind. 

This article intends to assist prospective students in creating and listing and evaluating the benefits and challenges of accelerated degree programs before making their final decision to apply and enroll.

The Case for Accelerated Degrees

Time Efficiency

One of the most compelling advantages of accelerated degree programs is the significantly reduced time required to earn a degree. Traditional degrees often require four years of study. In terms of the fast-paced lifestyle and business demands of the 21st century, that can be very costly in the long run. While there are alternatives to this, such as the many accelerated programs compress this timeline down to two or three years, sometimes these shorter programs come with their own challenges and shortcomings.

This rapid trajectory not only allows students to enter the job market sooner but also minimizes the time spent accruing tuition debt but can become incredibly stressful when trying to manage a job, social life, and healthy habits. Being clear about what is effective and healthy should be a top concern before enrolling.

Cost-Effectiveness

With shorter programs, students often spend less on tuition and associated costs. Moreover, many accelerated programs— like faster nursing programs—  offer streamlined paths to graduate studies, allowing students to transition directly into master’s programs without losing momentum. By earning an advanced degree faster, graduates can begin reaping the financial rewards of higher-paying jobs sooner than their counterparts in traditional programs.

However, just as in many other real-world purchases, spending less money can equate to getting less value out of a program. Just because something is cheap doesn’t mean it’s worth the investment. Carefully vetting programs and cost differences is vital to becoming well trained.

Real-World Experience and Networking

Many accelerated programs are designed with a practical approach, incorporating internships, co-ops, or project-based learning into the curriculum. These experiences can provide valuable real-world skills and networking opportunities that improve employability through the development of leaders.

Students may also have opportunities to collaborate with industry professionals and engage with a more intense, immersive learning environment that can foster deeper understanding and application of their field.

Focus and Motivation

Accelerated programs typically consume more time each week, requiring students to maintain a high level of focus and motivation. For many, this structure fosters a conducive learning environment wherein individuals commit fully to their studies, leading to solid academic outcomes. Students who thrive in high-pressure environments and are self-motivated may find that accelerated programs play to their strengths, while others who have not yet become aware or disciplined enough to maintain healthy habits and boundaries may struggle.

Weighing the Downsides

Intense Workload

Accelerated degree programs demand a rigorous academic schedule. The compressed timeline may create an overwhelming workload, making it difficult for students to balance academic commitments with personal responsibilities, employment, or social life. Prospective students should be realistic about their ability to manage, or even thrive, under such conditions.

Potential Stress and Burnout

The pace of accelerated degrees can lead to heightened levels of stress and increased risk of burnout. The pressure to perform well in an expedited time frame can be a double-edged sword, potentially impacting mental health. It’s essential for students to assess their emotional resilience and coping strategies when considering such an intense program.

Market Value and Perception

While many employers recognize and value accelerated degrees, some may still hold a preference for candidates with traditional degrees, viewing them as more well-rounded due to longer exposure to coursework. Additionally, some programs may carry the stigma of being “less rigorous” than traditional options, leading to potential biases when job-seeking leading to less employment opportunities.

Making an Informed Decision

Given the intricate nature of choosing to pursue an accelerated degree, students should invest time considering a comprehensive view of their goals and needs.  By researching various programs, understanding their own learning styles and capabilities, and grounding their decision in both personal and career objectives they will be able to thrive in future professional situations no matter the industry.

A Resource for IECs and School Counselors on Generative AI in College Admissions

College Matchpoint has a great resource on how AI is being used in College Admissions that should be of interest. Here is a link to it: https://www.collegematchpoint.com/genaicollegecounseling

Here are two new opportunities for Counselors wanting to learn more they have recently announced:

January 8 Webinar: Start the New Year with a Strategic AI Plan for College Counseling

Join them on Wednesday, January 8, from 1–2:30 PM CT for a webinar focused on ethical AI use in college counseling. Their panel includes Sydney Montgomery, Jed Applerouth, Dhruva Bhatwill, and Michele Evard. They will share insights on AI’s role in admissions and offer actionable strategies to support students. You’ll leave with practical ideas to navigate this evolving landscape. Register here.

Survey: AI’s Role in College Counseling

They would also like to see your input on this topic (which will be shared with the Counselor community)! Take their quick 10-minute survey to share your experiences with AI in our field. Your responses will help shape this 2nd annual report, which will be published in January. This report aims to highlight trends, insights, and best practices in using AI to enhance admissions related work.  Take the survey here.

You can reach out to Bob Carlton at College Matchpoint at (650) 454-6141 for more information.

Time Management: Survival for College…and Life

As a high school counselor, I believed my job was to help prepare students for adult life, not just guiding them through “reading, writing, and arithmetic,” and emotional self-management. One of the skills I worked on a lot with my students was time management. I quickly noticed a pattern that during winter break, students would dump their backpacks in the closet or throw them under the bed and not touch them until the day/night before they returned to school. Many times, they would discover one or several things they should have worked on over the break, hence putting them behind and in catch up mode when they returned to school. This resulted in the last grading period of the semester and the resulting Fall Semester grades, often plummeting or students scraping by with a great amount of stress.

I would have my students pull out their calendar/agenda and we would look at the two weeks of vacation. I would have them plug in events/activities they knew they were going to participate in, and then I would have them block out study times during their break as well. Ultimately, students began to discover, as I predicted, they would get more accomplished while having a more enjoyable time-off. Upon returning to school, they felt in more control and not so panicked or pressured which ultimately resulted in better grades at the semester.

Part two of this was learning to transfer this knowledge and skill to college. The catch-22 of being a college student is that is sometimes feels as if at student has “so much free time.” [Quite the opposite, of course, despite maybe having a day without classes, or not starting class until 10 or 11, or being finished with classes by 1, e.g.] I would have a template of a weekly calendar to help explain the process. Using different colors helps things stand out and to be easily identifiable. The items to be color-coded on the calendar are the following: class time, labs, sleep-time, study-time [for every hour in class, two hours outside of class], free-time [dances, sports, social gatherings, clubs, chill-time]. Once students do this, they have this colorful map they can post in their dorms, so it is easily visible every day. Once again, more accomplished, more fun, less all-nighter cramming sessions, and better mental and physical health. My husband, an administrator when our daughters were in middle-school and high school, and I taught and encouraged our daughters to use this methodology as well as carry it with them to college. We never worried about their ability to be successful in school because they mastered the art of time management.

To me, this is part of the “art” of being a school counselor, which is why I named my book, The Art of Being a School Counselor. It’s learning to discover the strengths and vulnerabilities [over done strengths], of each of your students and developing a plan to help them transition to the best version of themselves. This way they can actualize their dreams into reality.

I wish you well as you journey through this discovery of how to enjoy each one of your students, as you guide and watch them grow and develop.

Check out Nancy’s book – The Art of Being a School Counselor here: https://outskirtspress.com/TheArtofBeingaSchoolCounselor

Link on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1977235964?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_ZWPK2HXJ8SQTSVWRRB0Q

Values Over Rankings: There’s Life Beyond the Top 25 Lists

“Because it’s a good school.”

We hear this response almost daily in our offices when we ask students why they’ve chosen to apply to specific colleges. The silence that follows our next question – “What makes it good?” – speaks volumes about the crisis we face in college admissions today.

As high school counselors, we’ve watched countless students crack under the pressure of pursuing prestige. We’ve seen straight-A students break down in tears over B+ grades, believing they’ve ruined their chances at their “dream school.” We’ve witnessed teenagers stack their schedules with AP classes while sacrificing sleep, friendships, and their mental health – all in pursuit of an acceptance letter they believe defines their worth.

Research from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education reveals that only 4% of U.S. students attend colleges accepting less than 25% of applicants. Yet this tiny fraction of institutions drives an outsized portion of our students’ anxiety and shapes their entire perception of success. Too often, the media only talks about these highly rejective schools, and because of this, student mental health suffers.

This is why we decided to transform our college counseling approach. We were tired of seeing students hang their self-worth on acceptance rates, families fracture under pressure, and teenagers overlook fantastic institutions simply because they weren’t “prestigious” enough.

The irony? The Gallup-Purdue Index, a study of over 30,000 college graduates, found no correlation between college selectivity and future job satisfaction or well-being. What actually predicted success? Experiences during college – meaningful projects, supportive mentors, engaging internships. The Association of American Colleges and Universities reports that 93% of employers value skills like critical thinking and communication far above a candidate’s choice of institution.

This realization led us to develop a new approach to college counseling that starts not with rankings or acceptance rates but with values. We created a card-sorting activity that helps students and families explore what truly matters to them. Is it pioneering innovative solutions to real-world problems? Expressing ideas through creative arts and design? Taking action for social justice? Building cross-cultural understanding as a global citizen? These conversations have transformed our college meetings from anxiety-producing sessions about test scores into meaningful discussions about personal growth and authentic fit.  Each value card includes a QR code linking to a curated database of colleges that actively champion these same principles – complete with concrete examples of how these values come alive on campus.

The change in our students has been profound. Instead of leaving our offices weighted down by pressure, they leave energized, having discovered institutions they’d never considered before – places where they can genuinely envision themselves thriving. Parents report deeper conversations with their teens about values and aspirations rather than fixating on acceptance rates.

As counselors, we have the power – and we’d argue, the responsibility – to change this narrative. We can help our students understand that college is not a prize to be won but a journey to be embraced. We can show them that their worth isn’t determined by an acceptance letter but by who they are and who they’re becoming.

Our students are facing a mental health crisis, and our obsession with college prestige is feeding it. It’s time to help them see that the “best” college isn’t the most selective one – it’s the one where they can grow, contribute, and become their best selves.

The next time a student sits in your office with a list of colleges chosen solely for their prestige, we challenge you to dig deeper. Ask them about their values. Their dreams. The kind of person they want to become. Help them find institutions that align with those aspirations, regardless of ranking.

Because, at the end of the day, our students are so much more than an acceptance letter. It’s time our college counseling reflected that truth.

*Jared Epler and Jen Vallieres are public high school counselors at Lower Merion High School who created Forget the Rankings: The Values-Driven College Search after witnessing the toll of prestige-focused college admissions on student mental health.

Spring 2025 LINK for Counselors Issue – Here is what you can expect!

Courageous Advocacy in School Counseling by Stephanie Brazinsky, Counselor at Denver South HS, Candice Mackey, College Counselor at the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, and Priscilla Grijalva, School Counselor at San Jacinto Leadership Academy

Get Out of the Office (Importance of Networking) by Sonja Montiel

Making the Transition from School Counselor to Independent Educational Consultant by Michelle McAnaney, The College Spy

How to Motivate Your Students to Finish Strong and Avoid the Senior Slide by Allison Doby, College Counselor at Salisbury Academy

Careers to Consider: Marine Biology

A College Education is a Lot More Than a Ticket by Louis E. Newman

School Counselors and State Testing: Navigating School Needs While Maintaining Allegiance to the Field by Sweety Patel, Director of School Counseling at Carteret High School

How to Create the Perfect College List by Gina Gerrato Greenhaus of Greenhaus College Consulting

The State of Standardized College Admissions Testing: Topsy-Turvy: In ACT/SAT land, the Only Constant has been Change by Evan Wessler, Method Learning

Teaming Up with Teachers to Improve Student Mental Health by Elizabeth Drucker

Self-Care for Counselors by Elizabeth Drucker

Applying to College Can Be a Stressful Process by Dawn Marie Barhyte

“Don’t Throw the Baby Out with the Bath Water” and Education by Nancy Regas

STARS Counselor Stories: Reflections on the Inaugural STARS Midwest Counselor Tour

By Andrew E. Hershberger, Volunteer College Counselor at Wood County Educational Service Center, Christy Conley, School Counselor, Lead at North Oconee High School, Sarah M. Elkins, College Counselor at Gray Stone Day School, Kristen Kelley, College Advisor at Oceanside High School and Kate Trott, College Counselor at The Calverton School

The Art of Facilitating a Student-Centered Brainstorm Session by Kim Lifton, WOW Writing Workshop

Top 10 LINK for Counselors Blog Posts of 2024 (as measured by clicks)

NACAC Spring 2025 College Fairs

Not a current subscriber: You can sign up here for a free subscription: https://www.linkforcounselors.com/link-magazine-subscribe/

Want to advertise in this issue? Contact Theresa Oschmann at Theresa@linkforcounselors.com

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