Rachel Rios
Intervention Services, a program of Jervey & Associates Psychotherapy
Career Roadmap
Rachel's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Education, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
William G Enloe High School
Bachelor's Degree
International Relations and Affairs
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Graduate Degree
Social Work
The University of Texas at Austin
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a School Psychologists:
Bachelor's Degree: International Relations and Affairs
Graduate Degree: Social Work
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
College Freshman: Realized I hated chemistry and was not passionate enough about becoming a doctor to justify suffering through pre-med classes.
2.
Throughout College: I did a bunch of volunteering and explored topics I was passionate about: immigration, learning Spanish, community advocacy, education.
3.
College Senior: I had no idea what I wanted to do, so I applied and was offered a job with Teach for America. However, I had a bad feeling about it, and did AmeriCorps instead.
4.
During AmeriCorps: I worked in an after school college access program. I loved the times I got to work one on one, but didn't enjoy teaching a whole class. Decided against teaching.
5.
During AmeriCorps: I talked to friends in law school, and realized the idea I had of being a lawyer was very different from the reality of the profession.
6.
I decided to get a degree in social work because of the flexibility of the profession and focus on social justice. I was tentatively interested in mental health counseling, but wanted options.
7.
I swore I would not work with kids, and then promptly accepted a job working with kids, trusting my gut and allowing myself to change my mind.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You'll make no money (which is somewhat true). General lack of knowledge about the profession and stereotypes about social workers. You'll just burn out and be miserable.
How I responded:
Do your own research about the different degrees you can get. Talk to as many people as you can about their career. Look within yourself: notice what you've liked and disliked about work/life experiences, and use that to inform the direction you go in. Don't be afraid to change your mind. Trust your gut in finding good mentors, and prioritize that over everything else. Don't accept a job that feels wrong just because you lack confidence that you can find something better.