Career Roadmap
Jen's work combines: Education, Non-Profit Organizations, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Argenta-Oreana High School, Argenta, IL
Bachelor's Degree
Psychology Teacher Education
Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
Graduate Degree
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs
Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Psychology Teacher Education
Graduate Degree: Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I had an interest in learning more about people and their behavior...how we become who we are.
2.
Majored in Psychology because it sounded fun.
3.
Realized I needed more direction, so I concentrated my studies in Child and Adolescent Psychology.
4.
Pursued Psychology with Teacher Certification so that I would have teaching as an option.
5.
Did my student teaching with a School Counselor who was also the high school Psychology teacher.
6.
Started the Master's program at Eastern so that I could be certified as a School Counselor.
7.
I was awarded an assistantship, which allowed me to work in two elementary schools as counselor.
8.
Worked 8 years as a foster care therapist, then found a counseling position. Fell in love with it!
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
I heard a lot of, "What are you going to do with a degree in Psychology? Pick people's brains all day?" I also heard, "I hope you don't think you are going to get a job right away," and "You won't make any money working in a school."
How I responded:
Psychology opens many doors for people. There are careers in every area that involve people with Psych degrees. I had a job before I was even finished with my degree and they worked with me on my schedule so that I could finish up my last two classes and work for them at the same time. Schools have great salaries, great time off, too. It is hard work, and busy, but very rewarding and never the same day twice. It is great to see students who used to struggle, turn it around and succeed!
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I had a hard time getting financial aid back then. I looked into ways to pay for my Master's degree and was awarded an assistantship. It paid for my tuition and gave me a monthly salary. Look for those opportunities. They are out there!