Career decision - advice

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Na098

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I have my Bachelor’s degree, and was planning to get my Master’s in clinical psychology but I was hoping I could find something with my bachelor’s, so I decided to not to do my master’s. Well, now I regret it because I am not finding any job I get to be fulfilling or meaningful, or doing something I love.

I am really passionate about wanting to help those in need, I’m a good listener, and I enjoy learning about the mind and psychology. But, I also love art, and have a creative mind. So, I am now debating if I should go back to school to do web design, or get my master’s in clinical psychology.

I don’t want to take out any loans, and would only go part-time. My master’s would be a lot more money, and take a longer time to finish. If I do web design program, it would be a lot less money to where I know I definitely can afford paying on my own, and I would finish earlier. But, I feel being a counselor would be more fulfilling, and I know I would love it so much.

What would any of you do? Need some advice, as these two are so different from eachother.
 
Na098 said:
I have my Bachelor’s degree, and was planning to get my Master’s in clinical psychology but I was hoping I could find something with my bachelor’s, so I decided to not to do my master’s. Well, now I regret it because I am not finding any job I get to be fulfilling or meaningful, or doing something I love.

I am really passionate about wanting to help those in need, I’m a good listener, and I enjoy learning about the mind and psychology. But, I also love art, and have a creative mind. So, I am now debating if I should go back to school to do web design, or get my master’s in clinical psychology.

I don’t want to take out any loans, and would only go part-time. My masters would be a lot more money, and take a longer time to finish. If I do web design program, it would be a lot less money to where I know I definitely can afford paying on my own, and I would finish earlier. But, I feel being a counselor would be more fulfilling, and I know I would love it so much.

What would any of you do? Need some advice, as these two are so different from eachother.
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What is your bachelors in? You don’t mention.

If your bachelors is in psychology, your choice is either to move to a remote place in the southern US where you don’t need as many credentials or to get a Masters.

You also may be able to apply for a fellowship or as a Grad TA and get your degree paid for.

You may not be able to start a masters in web design without taking additional undergrad classes if your degree doesn’t match the prereqs.
 
Thank you for your reply! My Bachelor’s degree is in Interdisciplinary Studies (basically a combination of my social work and science classes). If I go back for web design, I am only going to get an associates degree in it, which wouldn’t take long and the school I would be going to is very affordable.

I do have an appointment tomorrow at a nearby school where I am considering doing my master’s in clinical psychology (I have been told it’s an accelerated program, so would take less time). But, I just really need to make sure what is the best choice before I go back. Plus, I’m not sure I could afford paying on my own for my Master’s. I have been contacting some counseling centers about employment, just doing administrative work and possibly getting some kind of paid tuition to do my master’s. That would be ideal. If that doesn’t happen, I feel I’m going to go in the web design route. But, I feel my heart is a bit more towards counseling.
 
Na098 said:
Thank you for your reply! My Bachelor’s degree is in Interdisciplinary Studies (basically a combination of my social work and science classes). If I go back for web design, I am only going to get an associates degree in it, which wouldn’t take long and the school I would be going to is very affordable.

I do have an appointment tomorrow at a nearby school where I am considering doing my master’s in clinical psychology (I have been told it’s an accelerated program, so would take less time). But, I just really need to make sure what is the best choice before I go back. Plus, I’m not sure I could afford paying on my own for my Master’s. I have been contacting some counseling centers about employment, just doing administrative work and possibly getting some kind of paid tuition to do my master’s. That would be ideal. If that doesn’t happen, I feel I’m going to go in the web design route. But, I feel my heart is a bit more towards counseling.
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Please do not take this the wrong way, but you basically have a bachelor’s degree in crap. You can manage a retail store, you can get into some entry-level positions but a degree in “interdisciplinary studies” is really not worth the paper it’s printed on. The only thing it’s really useful for is pairing with a good GRE and getting you into a Masters program.

Web design is a growing field, but an associates will not get you very far, unless it is coding-heavy.

You may need to expand your scope and look to relocate but there are many grad schools that have programs that alleviate many of the financial stressors. You can combine gigs like being an RA and a TA which means that you must live on campus and be responsible to students, go to extra classes and teach and grade, but that your housing is free.
 
You’re right, it is a crap degree. I was studying social work with plans to do my master’s, so I just wanted to finish with my bachelor’s early, which is why I got that degree. I think I will see if I can try to pay on my own somehow, maybe getting two jobs. Thank you!
 
Na098 said:
You’re right, it is a crap degree. I was studying social work with plans to do my master’s, so I just wanted to finish with my bachelor’s early, which is why I got that degree. I think I will see if I can try to pay on my own somehow, maybe getting two jobs. Thank you!
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You might not need two jobs, but you do need the right work. Being a TA can be very lucrative in itself. You mentioned you took quite a few science courses. If any of those are high-demand like biology, you should find yourself in a good position to do TA work.

You could also consider teaching. With only minimal certifications you can teach in but a few states and with your background in science you may be a desirable candidate to a highschool or even middle school. Many districts pay for continuing ed, like masters, so your degree could be paid for.
 
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Na098 said:
I have my Bachelor’s degree, and was planning to get my Master’s in clinical psychology but I was hoping I could find something with my bachelor’s, so I decided to not to do my master’s. Well, now I regret it because I am not finding any job I get to be fulfilling or meaningful, or doing something I love.

I am really passionate about wanting to help those in need, I’m a good listener, and I enjoy learning about the mind and psychology. But, I also love art, and have a creative mind. So, I am now debating if I should go back to school to do web design, or get my master’s in clinical psychology.

I don’t want to take out any loans, and would only go part-time. My master’s would be a lot more money, and take a longer time to finish. If I do web design program, it would be a lot less money to where I know I definitely can afford paying on my own, and I would finish earlier. But, I feel being a counselor would be more fulfilling, and I know I would love it so much.

What would any of you do? Need some advice, as these two are so different from eachother.
Click to expand...
You really have answered your own question, I think you just don’t realize it.

The was a popular movie in the 80’s called “Flashdance”. The theme song contained a repeating lyric, “take your passion, and make it happen.” Not trying to sound saccharine, but what do you really love, what really makes you happy down to your core? What will make you want to not hit the snooze button in the morning and get out of bed, looking forward to the day. And when you answer that question, that’s what you should prepare for. You are actually fortunate to have this dilemma; it’'s rare to have two talents and ambitions that you like, even if not equally.

Xanthippe has made all the good suggestions about routes to get where you want. But the first thing you need to do is pick the one thing you truly love, and zero in on it with the single minded focus of a laser beam.

You sound like you are dickering between two things and weighing the physical/monetary cost. Not to criticize, but that approach is wrong if it your primary decision in this dilemma of yours. Choose one path; the one leading you to your passion.

And, always leave open the possibility that in 20 years, you will find what you really love. The world is full of people who achieved the dreams of youth and then found out what really fulfilled them was something they never considered those years ago. Always remain open to possibilities … to being surprised.

Good luck.
 
Xanthippe_Voorhees said:
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Na098:
I have my Bachelor’s degree, and was planning to get my Master’s in clinical psychology but I was hoping I could find something with my bachelor’s, so I decided to not to do my master’s. Well, now I regret it because I am not finding any job I get to be fulfilling or meaningful, or doing something I love.

I am really passionate about wanting to help those in need, I’m a good listener, and I enjoy learning about the mind and psychology. But, I also love art, and have a creative mind. So, I am now debating if I should go back to school to do web design, or get my master’s in clinical psychology.

I don’t want to take out any loans, and would only go part-time. My masters would be a lot more money, and take a longer time to finish. If I do web design program, it would be a lot less money to where I know I definitely can afford paying on my own, and I would finish earlier. But, I feel being a counselor would be more fulfilling, and I know I would love it so much.

What would any of you do? Need some advice, as these two are so different from eachother.
Click to expand...
What is your bachelors in? You don’t mention.

If your bachelors is in psychology, your choice is either to move to a remote place in the southern US where you don’t need as many credentials or to get a Masters.

You also may be able to apply for a fellowship or as a Grad TA and get your degree paid for.

You may not be able to start a masters in web design without taking additional undergrad classes if your degree doesn’t match the prereqs.
Click to expand...
A remote place in the southern US…🤔
 
Little_Mary said:
A remote place in the southern US…🤔
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It is not meant to be offensive. The Northern states, especially the northeastern states, and the states around California are all states which a higher level of education is expected and demanded.

In higher education job placement it is a well-known industry “secret” that a student who is considered vastly underqualified in a northern state–especially near metro areas will be considered adequately qualified in southern states, especially in rural areas.
 
I would give the same advice that I give to my young relatives: Forget a career and just get a job. You will probably change careers many times in your life, and probably change your passion as well. I know very few people who ended up in occupations that matched their college majors.
 
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