Christy Conley
Lead School Counselor
North Oconee High School (GA)
What drew you to the world of college admission counseling?
As early as middle school, I can recall being a listening ear and sounding board for my friends. I enjoyed hearing about their lives and helping them discover options, solutions, and crafting plans of action. As I considered a career, counseling became a natural direction to pursue.
When I became a school counselor, I knew I found my niche. While college advising wasnāt the focal point in my decision to become a school counselor, it is one I have grown to love. Being a compass for my students on their journey toward their postsecondary plans is a responsibility in which I am truly invested. My ultimate goal is to serve as a guide who helps them reach their highest potential. Working with students to develop four-year plans, while navigating the various postsecondary education options, is like putting pieces of a puzzle together. I have accomplished my goal when I witness the lightbulb go off as they find an option that is a well-matched fit.
What is your favorite part of the job?
What keeps me coming back to my office every year is our graduation ceremony. By design, our school counselorsā caseloads are divided alphabetically; this allows me to be a part of all four years of my studentsā high school experiences. Watching them grow and develop from ninth grade to 12th grade fosters meaningful relationships that make graduation so special. When I witness our students walk across the stage with a clear path, I feel that my mission is complete. What a gift to end each school year feeling excited, knowing that our students are prepared to embark on their next journey.
How has NACAC played a role in your career?
Honestly, I wasnāt aware of NACAC when I first started my role as a school counselor. After working in the field for several years, I began to read about NACAC in various professional sources. Once I learned more about it and began to engage in my regional ACAC and NACAC, my counseling skill set, access to resources, and network grew exponentially. NACAC has been a game-changer for me and the students that I support. I firmly believe that if you know better, you can do better. While I still have a lot to learn, NACAC has played an active role in my journey to do better.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our profession today?
Providing realistic opportunities for students, given the changing landscape of college admissions, is a difficult task. As a public high school counselor, I am responsible for providing postsecondary plans for a diverse student population that may be considering a variety of options. Keeping up with the changes is challenging to navigate and recall from year to year. I am thankful for the multiple resources that are available to help me keep up with the ever-evolving information coming our way.
When you arenāt working, what do you like to do?
I love perusing Pinterest and coming up with new recipes to bake with my children. We have dreams of competing on Nailed It, but my husband has definite doubts in our abilities. š
If you could be any fictional character, who would it be and why?
The son from the poem If by Rudyard Kipling. The poem is special to me because it reminds me of my father. He would regularly share this poem with my brother and I, in hopes that we would grow into individuals that would follow what the poem championsāperseverance, humility, and integrity.
Published April 10, 2023