ALTY Student Spotlight | Ana-Sophia Benson '22

"School counselors are the first mental health professional that students will encounter in life. We can guide them through their social/emotional, academic and career development as they move through the public education system."

Ana-Sophia Benson, M.S. School Counseling

Program

Counseling, School Counseling (M.S.)
Counseling, Clinical Mental Health (M.S.)

Department

Psychology & Counseling

Alumni
Graduate School
Graduate Student

Alumni
Counseling, Care & Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Behavior Graduate Programs
Graduate School
Graduate Student
Social Sciences & Humanities

04/19/2024

Ana-Sophia Benson ’22 is a current graduate student enrolled in Hood College’s school counseling program. Benson began the program after graduating from Hood with her bachelor’s in 2022. We spoke about her current experiences in the school counseling program and what she hopes to do after graduation.

Could you briefly describe your education and career background?

I graduated with my bachelor’s in psychology from Hood College in 2022, and I am expected to graduate from the school counseling master’s program in May 2025.

What led you to study at Hood College?

I’m from California, so I originally chose Hood College to go to the east coast for undergrad. It was important to me that I attend a small liberal arts college, so I went with Hood!

I was aware that I could start with my bachelor’s and move on to my master’s at the same institution, which was an important factor in my decision. It’s also important to me that Hood’s counseling program is CACREP accredited.

What got you interested in school counseling?

I started the program with a concentration in clinical mental health, not school counseling, but because I knew that I wanted to work with youth, I switched to the school counseling program. I wanted to become a certified school counselor and a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC).

School counseling really appeals to me because every child has access to a mental health professional during their school day. I would be able to meet and get to know all of them—not just the students who need a higher level of care or just those who can afford counseling. Often, school counselors are the first mental health professional that students will encounter in life. We can guide them through their social/emotional, academic and career development as they move through the public education system.

Where have you interned/worked in relation to your counseling degree?

I have just started my practicum; I am currently interning at Northern Middle School in Hagerstown, Maryland.

What will studying practicum be like? How long will it last?

Our field experience is split between three semesters: practicum (100 hours), internship I (300 hours) and internship II (300 hours).

Where do you hope to take your career?

I am not quite sure where my career will take me. I am flexible and open to many experiences, which is why I decided to do both counseling tracks—clinical and school counseling—for more options. So far, I enjoy working with middle schoolers, so that may be the age range I work with post-graduation.

Interested in the Graduate School’s counseling programs? Ready to #GOFURTHER in your career? Learn more about Hood College’s graduate programs, such as clinical mental health counseling or school counseling, by clicking here.