Meet Your Neighbor: Jessica Yip

It was a challenging path that led me to become an Alternatives to College Counselor. When I was in school, I was an academically-focused student, so I stayed just under the radar of my own counselor. I’d meet with her once a year, she’d tell me I was on track to graduate, and that was it. In my junior year of high school, the panic set in. My whole life I wanted to be a teacher, but I didn’t know why. Then it hit me. I had no idea what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to be a doctor or go into business. My friends were finding their paths, and I was still undecided. I felt alienated and lost, even into my college years.

One day a friend told me he wanted to be a high school counselor. I thought, ‘that sounds amazing. Talking, listening, helping people, those are all things I love to do.’ That’s when I had my AHA moment.

I went on to get my Masters in School Counseling from Queens College and now I use my experiences to open my students’ eyes. Many people say college is the only way for you to become successful, but it’s not entirely true. There are different paths to success, and success looks different for everyone. I ask my students, ‘What do you like to do?’ We talk about finding their own career path, and I tell them, ‘It’s not going to be a linear path; it’s going to be zig-zaggy. And that’s ok.’

So, now I’m on my own path, helping students explore their strengths and passions so they can begin to visualize a career that makes sense for them. I feel like I’ve found my niche.