"Working with the youth — seeing them develop good study habits and an interest in school, helping them recognize and achieve their potential — it’s a great feeling," says the Asian Counseling and Referral Service counselor.
What do you do? I am a counselor and Southeast Asian Young Men’s Group (SEA-YM) facilitator within the Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS). SEA-YM seeks to explore and connect teens’ cultural and ethnic identities toward achieving academic success. Currently, we have groups in three local high schools: Franklin, Southlake and Cleveland.
How did you get that job? I interned with ACRS as a part of my program at the School of Social Work at the University of Washington and was fortunate enough to be hired soon after graduating from my program.
What’s a typical day like? My typical day includes making school visits to see clients and prepping the curriculum for the upcoming week’s SEA-YM group, which we hold every Tuesday and Thursday. I also facilitate an after-school program at ACRS … where [group members] can get assistance with homework, resumes and job searching as well as participating in basketball.
What’s the best part of the job? A young Cambodian American client once told me that because of our work, he was encouraged not just to learn more about his culture, but to improve his relationship with his brother. Working with the youth — seeing them develop good study habits and an interest in school, helping them recognize and achieve their potential – it’s a great feeling!
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What surprises people about your job? It always surprises people how much I enjoy what I do. Too often working with youth is seen as a difficult endeavor, when in truth, it can truly be a rewarding and fun experience.
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