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How a college job as a nanny shaped my career as a school counselor.
I recently had the chance to visit a family I provided childcare for during my undergraduate years. Reconnecting with themβand seeing their daughter, Annie, home from NYCβwas a heartwarming reminder of where I started.
When I was 19, I wasnβt looking for a βcareer-definingβ role. I was simply looking for a job that could fit between my college classesβsomething that worked with my schedule while I finished my bachelorβs degree.
I worked for this family for three years. At the time, I saw it as a way to help cover expenses. I didnβt realize I was actually building the foundation for my lifeβs work.
Last week, as we sat in their home, the mother told me she knew I was special from the day we met. She described me then as warm, funny, and responsible. It was a full-circle moment. It made me realize that the same approach I used to connect with those children between my lectures is the exact same approach I use today to build relationships with my students as a school counselor.
Career development is rarely a straight line. We often think of our βrealβ career as starting the day we receive our first professional title. But looking back, I can see clearly how those hours with those wonderful girls were shaping me.
Whether Iβm managing a busy household of children or navigating the complexities of a school district, my core approach remains the same:
- Warmth creates a safe space for growth.
- Humor breaks down barriers and builds trust.
- Responsibility ensures that every person in my care feels seen and supported.
Visiting people who knew me as an undergrad helped me see my evolution with fresh eyes. Itβs a reminder that we can never predict which experiences are quietly building our skill set.
My advice to anyone just starting out: donβt devalue the jobs you take just to pay the bills or fill the gaps. You arenβt just βfitting inβ work between classesβyou are practicing the human skills that will eventually become your professional signature.
β€οΈ And donβt wait thirty years to remind people that you love them. β€οΈ
Donna Doucette has served in education since December 1997, beginning her career after leaving a paralegal position at a Boston law firm to pursue her passion for helping people. As a first-generation college student, she returned to her home community to give back and help students see their potential. For the past two years, she has served as the District Guidance Counselor for Lynn Public Schools. As the firstβ¦
