- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Career Change Recommendations
Posted on 8/3/22 at 2:32 pm
Posted on 8/3/22 at 2:32 pm
This is somewhat of a spin-off of the “cushy job” thread.
I (29, married, no kids) currently work as a counselor for a mental health agency. I’ve always wanted to “help” people but my current work environment and lack of pay makes me question whether I’m even helping myself/family. My goal has always been to work towards licensure and eventually open up a private practice. That can become “relatively” lucrative but I sometimes questions if I could spend 20-25 hours of my week diving into peoples worst nightmares.
I guess what I’m asking what the MB folks perspective of what types of jobs I could land with a Psych degree and M.S. in Counseling?
I (29, married, no kids) currently work as a counselor for a mental health agency. I’ve always wanted to “help” people but my current work environment and lack of pay makes me question whether I’m even helping myself/family. My goal has always been to work towards licensure and eventually open up a private practice. That can become “relatively” lucrative but I sometimes questions if I could spend 20-25 hours of my week diving into peoples worst nightmares.
I guess what I’m asking what the MB folks perspective of what types of jobs I could land with a Psych degree and M.S. in Counseling?
11
Posted on 8/3/22 at 2:33 pm to hall59tiger
Buc-ees is hiring store managers for 125K a year!
Posted on 8/3/22 at 2:47 pm to Slingin Pickle
quote:
Buc-ees is hiring store managers for 125K a year!
Lol don’t tempt me. I saw that thread and would consider it if they put one in LA.
Posted on 8/3/22 at 2:48 pm to hall59tiger
Very tough to give you a response.
Do you like counseling? Do you want to continue in the field you are in?
What is relatively lucrative to you? For some that is 75k for others 350k.
Not trying to pour salt in the wound, but the degrees you obtained aren't necessarily known for being high income areas. I think it is important that you answer the question of whether you desire to work in the field you are in and maximize profit within that field, or whether you are wanting to maximize income as a primary goal (regardless of field).
Do you like counseling? Do you want to continue in the field you are in?
What is relatively lucrative to you? For some that is 75k for others 350k.
Not trying to pour salt in the wound, but the degrees you obtained aren't necessarily known for being high income areas. I think it is important that you answer the question of whether you desire to work in the field you are in and maximize profit within that field, or whether you are wanting to maximize income as a primary goal (regardless of field).
Posted on 8/3/22 at 2:55 pm to hall59tiger
Go get your license and go teach. $60k/yr and summers off.
Posted on 8/3/22 at 3:37 pm to GeauxTigers777
Good questions
I do enjoy counseling when people are engaged. It’s entirely possible my burnout is more of a result of where I work than the counseling field in general. Currently working with a difficult population.
I know my path if I continue in the field I am in. Licensure > private practice/consulting. The issue with counseling is it is difficult to scale unless I create online courses.
With a private practice I can probably make somewhere between 75k and 175ish depending on if I want to have a group practice or make things easy and go solo.
If I changed careers I’d want to eventually be able to make around 125-150k.
I realize that my degrees do not really apply to many fields, at least from the typical resume/interview perspective. I’ve briefly managed operations for a good distributor, ran auto sales events across the SE, and worked for a non-profit (planned overseas trips, managed auctions). I think my experience and clinical skills would apply to various careers but I don’t know if that would be communicated through my resume/education.
quote:
Do you like counseling? Do you want to continue in the field you are in?
I do enjoy counseling when people are engaged. It’s entirely possible my burnout is more of a result of where I work than the counseling field in general. Currently working with a difficult population.
I know my path if I continue in the field I am in. Licensure > private practice/consulting. The issue with counseling is it is difficult to scale unless I create online courses.
quote:
What is relatively lucrative to you? For some that is 75k for others 350k.
With a private practice I can probably make somewhere between 75k and 175ish depending on if I want to have a group practice or make things easy and go solo.
If I changed careers I’d want to eventually be able to make around 125-150k.
I realize that my degrees do not really apply to many fields, at least from the typical resume/interview perspective. I’ve briefly managed operations for a good distributor, ran auto sales events across the SE, and worked for a non-profit (planned overseas trips, managed auctions). I think my experience and clinical skills would apply to various careers but I don’t know if that would be communicated through my resume/education.
Posted on 8/3/22 at 4:58 pm to hall59tiger
I think the question still remains. What's your goal/priority? Make as much money as possible or seek a fulfilling career? Those 2 don't always go hand in hand, but are also not mutually exclusive.
If you would be happy at 75k to 125k a year, I think that's attainable with your own place.
If you want to chase the dollar to be a top earner and set up generational wealth, you will probably have to start looking outside your current field.
There is nothing wrong with either option, but you need to set your life goals and figure out a plan to get there.
If you would be happy at 75k to 125k a year, I think that's attainable with your own place.
If you want to chase the dollar to be a top earner and set up generational wealth, you will probably have to start looking outside your current field.
There is nothing wrong with either option, but you need to set your life goals and figure out a plan to get there.
Posted on 8/3/22 at 5:37 pm to hall59tiger
I'd recommend the book "what color is your parachute". It talks about changing careers, mostly later in life, but still applies.
Posted on 8/3/22 at 5:56 pm to hall59tiger
quote:
currently work as a counselor for a mental health agency
Sounds like the 5th circle of hell
Posted on 8/3/22 at 6:35 pm to GeauxTigers777
quote:
I think the question still remains. What's your goal/priority? Make as much money as possible or seek a fulfilling career?
The reality is that I should focus on getting my LPC because I will have that forever. I am a little over 1 year away from getting it. I could then start a private practice or pursue another career while seeing a few patients in my spare time.
For some reason, I like to occasionally look at other career options. I’ve always been curious as to what careers my counseling skills would work with.
Posted on 8/3/22 at 9:51 pm to hall59tiger
quote:
The reality is that I should focus on getting my LPC because I will have that forever. I am a little over 1 year away from getting it. I could then start a private practice or pursue another career while seeing a few patients in my spare time.
Sounds like a realistic interim goal. Focus on that.
Posted on 8/3/22 at 9:54 pm to hall59tiger
Lots of Psyc degreed professionals in HR/Organization Development work.
Posted on 8/3/22 at 10:51 pm to hall59tiger
If you like counseling, maybe look into going to nursing school and then become a psych nurse practitioner. You can probably make $140-150k right out of school working for a community clinic doing telemedicine. With experience open your own private practice and make more.
Accelerated nursing programs are 12-18 months and PNP is 1.5-2.5 years. I think there are bridge programs for someone with a master's already that would be shorter but more costly.
Accelerated nursing programs are 12-18 months and PNP is 1.5-2.5 years. I think there are bridge programs for someone with a master's already that would be shorter but more costly.
Posted on 8/4/22 at 8:11 am to Drunken Crawfish
Its not just summers. Teachers on average work 180 days a year and you get every weekend off and most federal holidays. That's less than half the year, great insurance, and you can retire at 20 years, full retirement at 30. Wife has a cousin who will be retiring at 52 with full retirement.
Posted on 8/4/22 at 8:21 am to hall59tiger
If you took some time to learn business processes and systems you’d probably be one hell of a consultant.
One of the most successful IT Strategy consultants I’ve met was a Theater major in college. The guy could tell a compelling story that convinced clients to take action.
One of the most successful IT Strategy consultants I’ve met was a Theater major in college. The guy could tell a compelling story that convinced clients to take action.
Posted on 8/4/22 at 8:33 am to hall59tiger
Nashville has loads of clinical folks in white collar healthcare jobs. I know lots of people with clinical backgrounds who have director and executive level titles. There are a lot of niche healthcare companies in town - behavioral, home health, rehab, acute, etc.
Something to think about if you're tired of the clinical setting but still want to use your skillset...
ETA Dallas has a large healthcare hub as well. And Tampa, to a lesser extent.
Something to think about if you're tired of the clinical setting but still want to use your skillset...
ETA Dallas has a large healthcare hub as well. And Tampa, to a lesser extent.
This post was edited on 8/4/22 at 8:36 am
Posted on 8/4/22 at 9:47 am to Pepperoni
quote:
Sounds like a realistic interim goal. Focus on that.
Thanks a bunch for the insight, guys. I genuinely appreciate all of your help.
I know deep down that I want to help people with their mental health issues. I’ve struggled myself at times with depression/anxiety so I know that part of my story will be used to help others. I’m currently at a mandated adolescent addiction facility and sometimes the amount of suffering I encounter can get overwhelming.
I think my best bet is to get my LPC, open up a private practice, and maybe do some consulting to scratch my business itch/balance out the heaviness of dealing with peoples mental health. I think the tools I’ve learned as a counselor could be helpful in the various levels of business that have been mentioned (healthcare management, consulting, HR, customer service training, mediation, etc.)
Posted on 8/4/22 at 9:59 am to hall59tiger
quote:
I guess what I’m asking what the MB folks perspective of what types of jobs I could land with a Psych degree and M.S. in Counseling?
Private practice is the way to go. You can do extremely well if you market yourself correctly. Lots of fricked up families and kids out there, as well as individuals.
Nice lifestyle as well.
Posted on 8/4/22 at 7:48 pm to hall59tiger
quote:
That can become “relatively” lucrative but I sometimes questions if I could spend 20-25 hours of my week diving into peoples worst nightmares.
What hours are you currently working? You can make more money if you want to go to the plant and work 84/week.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 12:27 am to GrizzlyAlloy
My sister did same as you,had a Masters in counseling.She lasted a year and went to nursing school,got a associate degree.She said it was depressing as hell and frustrating because a big percentage of the people she counseled had problems that were self inflicted.
Guess she’s been a nurse close to 30 years now.She had a management position for some of those years.Doubt she ever made over $100,000 but she likes it.
Guess she’s been a nurse close to 30 years now.She had a management position for some of those years.Doubt she ever made over $100,000 but she likes it.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News