What Does a High School Guidance Secretary Do?

I'm curious about the responsibilities of a high school guidance secretary. Can anyone share insights into what this job typically involves? I'm trying to better understand the role to see if it's something I'd be interested in after graduation.

A high school guidance secretary typically performs administrative tasks that support the guidance counseling team at a high school. Some of the routine duties may include scheduling appointments for students to meet with their counselors, maintaining student records, and assisting with the organization of college/career fairs and other events.

Scheduling: A major role of a high school guidance secretary is managing the appointments for the counseling department. They also field general inquiries from students and parents, and direct them to the appropriate counselor or resource.

Record Keeping: They maintain student records and assist in data entry tasks. For instance, they help track students' academic progress, activities, and any individual consultations with the counselors. Some secretaries also help process requests for transcripts.

Event Planning: The guidance secretary often helps to coordinate events like college and career fairs, scholarship information sessions, or college visits. They may manage correspondence with colleges and potential employers, set up event logistics, and announce these opportunities to students.

Communication: They often act as a line of communication between students, parents, and the counseling staff. This could involve passing along information, coordinating meetings, or assisting with issues requiring immediate attention.

Compliance: A guidance secretary may also need to stay abreast of the latest in student privacy laws (like FERPA in the US) to ensure that the school is in compliance when handling student records.

This is a role that supports the school's counseling team and helps everything run smoothly. It's important to be organized, have good communication skills, and be able to handle confidential information in a professional manner.

Keep in mind that specific duties can vary based on the size and nature of the school, so it could be beneficial to speak to someone who works in this role at a school you're interested in for more detailed information.