As the youngest of seven brothers and sisters, Jordan Boschetto M’26 has a deep familiarity with all levels of education.
“I have seen a lot of the school system through my nieces and nephews and myself,” she said. “I saw a need in the schools for counselors for the students who are falling through the cracks.”
Boschetto said she hopes to one day be the school councilor she needed when she was younger, and she believes Merrimack’s education and school counseling graduate program is the best place to get her there.
“My master’s program sets me up to get one of two licenses or both,” Boschetto said. “One in school counseling and another in school adjustment counseling and social work. I can do both through my fellowship which I’m very lucky to do. I’ll be getting both licenses by the end.”
Boschetto’s fellowship has her working in Chelmsford, Mass. at McCarthy Middle School’s brand new STEP program. She’s held the position since this past August.
“The STEP program is for students struggling with school avoidance, refusal or extended absences for a multitude of reasons,” Boschetto explained. “I help catch them up with their work and provide a safe space for them to do so. We work with the school counselors, psychologists and social workers collaboratively as a team.”
After the STEP program was successfully launched at Chelmsford High School, the School Committee approved its implementation at McCarthy in 2024.
“Nothing prepares you for school counseling except for being in the school and with the students,” Boschetto said. “It has been really great to just hit the ground running and work with kids right off the bat. It is tough work, but it is really rewarding.”
How did Boschetto land such a beneficial fellowship? She advocated for herself, she said, and she advises all other Merrimack graduate students to do the same.
“Students should ask about fellowship opportunities because it’s not always presented to them,” she explained. “One of my classmates asked the school she worked at if it could be a fellowship position for her practicum and they said yes. The worst they can say is no.”
Boschetto came to Merrimack after graduating in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Saint Anselm College. Next semester, she hopes to present at the Massachusetts School Counselor Association’s Annual Conference in March.
“I’m waiting to hear back from them in about a month,” she explained. “You can make a poster for your capstone research and present it at the conference. Also, job postings will be up in the spring, so I’ll be looking into that.”
