The School of Educational Sciences at the University of Jordan hosted expert Mr. Suhail Shawaqfeh as part of the "Specialized Skills" course in a distinguished training session aimed at deepening students' understanding of fieldwork in counseling and enhancing their professional readiness before entering the job market.
Mr. Suhail Shawaqfeh is a seasoned professional in the field of educational counseling, having served for many years within the Ministry of Education. He brings extensive hands-on experience in delivering psychological and educational counseling services in school settings, establishing himself as a respected authority in the profession.
During the session, Shawaqfeh discussed the characteristics of an effective counselor, highlighting both the personal and professional traits required for the role. These include active listening skills, the ability to build trust-based professional relationships, maintaining confidentiality, and demonstrating flexibility when dealing with diverse cases. He also provided insights into the day-to-day realities of working in school counseling, addressing the common challenges counselors face, strategies for managing students' behavioral and psychological issues, and methods for effective collaboration with teaching and administrative staff.
The session was organized in coordination with Dr. Mohammad Al-Khawalda, instructor of the "Specialized Skills" course, who was keen to provide his students with a high-quality, field-based learning experience by inviting practicing professionals to share real-world insights and enrich students' practical understanding of the counseling profession.
The session witnessed strong engagement from students, who expressed great interest in the presented topics and asked a variety of questions related to the future of the counseling profession, strategies for self-development as counselors, and ways to cope with anticipated professional pressures