What's in a Name: Counselors of Bridges to a Brighter Future

We know that the counselors for Bridges to a Brighter Future have a great impact on the students, but what many don't think about  is what it takes to claim the official title of a "counselor."

The counselors must have a desire to help the students learn and grow, while focusing on creating a positive and stable environment within the program.

Top left: a counselor and a student share a moment of friendship on a field trip

Top right: a counselor demonstrates diligence as he helps a student with work.

Bottom center: the rainbow of bowling balls represents the various, colorful personalities of the counselors of Bridges

Maturity, leadership, and compassion are just a few of the many qualities that Bridges counselors strive to obtain.  In a recent interview with counselor Emily Barksdale, she shared her journey with the program from an insider perspective. She proves that the hard work pays off and that the position is a very rewarding one!

In addition to the attributes listed above, dedication to applying and training for the ocunseling position is equally as important.

Because Bridges finds its home at Furman University, applications are open to all sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Furman. Applications become available each February, followed by interviews and training in the following months.

Before applying, one should assess his or her qualifications. Counselors must have:

• a 2.0 GPA
• a clean background check
• a recommendation of his or her good standing from a Furman faculty member

One should also consider his or her ability to commit to the program. During the five-week summer program counselors live on campus with the students. They work to ensure safety and provide support for the students, while also attending staff meetings and workshops of their own.  Counselors are not permitted to participate in outside jobs or classes during this time because they have responsibilities every day of the week and must be available to students at all times.

After noting all of these requirements the Bridges counselor position may seem taxing, but the work shouldn’t be a deterrent! Counselors get as much- if not more- from the program as they put into it. The five-week program provides counselors with a $1500 stipend, free housing during the program, and two meals a day.

On top of all that, working with the students provides leadership and interpersonal skills to the counselors while also creating strong bonds of friendship. Counselors also learn how to apply the skills to a major of study such as Sociology, Education, or Communications, which can aid in job hunting or lead to internship opportunities.

Working for an outstanding, award-winning program like Bridges is a fantastic way to learn, grow, and build strong relationships that will last far beyond one's Furman career. The experience can provide a counselor with the knowledge that he or she has he;ped students achieve a goal that may not have been possible without a college access program. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2009, only 55% of low-income high school students enrolled in college compared to 84% of their wealthier peers. Bridges has begun to defy these statistics. Since it began, Bridges to a Brighter Future has sent 245 students to college. More than just a summer spent with high school students, being a counselor at Bridges could allow you to change a life!

Photo credits: Tobi Swartz, Bridges to a Brighter Future