For many generations of students, school counselors have played an essential role in their socio-emotional development, academic success, and career and college pathway decisions. Whether the upcoming year will be in-person, virtual, or a mix of both, counselors will be critical guides to students whose lives and plans have been upended. With the right resources and timely knowledge, counselors have the power to uplift students who have been significantly impacted by COVID, particularly those in underserved communities.

In our last Path Forward post, leading innovators in education and career readiness provided their thoughts on helping students adapt to change and build resilience so they can succeed in college, work and even crises like COVID-19. We continue in this post with comments from more thought leaders and practitioners who are working with students every day.

Career exploration for middle and high school students has always been a fluid process, and COVID-19 has thrown some certainties about that process into flux. As educators at ASA, we understand that preparing students for the changing future is as important as ever.