LOST - could use some advice :(

[SuzanneBB]

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Hello everyone,

I've been killing my brain for over a year with what I want to do when I graduate next June. I will have my BA in Psychology and can either move on to a PsyD/PhD or MA/MHC. I wish there were a person whose job was to help me narrow down the overwhelming amount of choices, similar to a headhunter, because I feel so lost in the options.

My main interests are behaviorism and working with children who are the victims of bullying (a cause dear to my heart). I also have an interest in forensic psych but it takes somewhat of a backseat to the other two. Living in NYC, there are SO many options that I get overwhelmed and close the laptop.

I just want to help people who feel lost, bullied, helpless... the underdogs. It doesn't necessarily have to be children, that's just the broadest area of this subject. I tell my friends my dream would be to "help the heavyset girl who gets teased for her weight, or the gay boy who feels he has to hide who he really is, or the brilliant 'nerd' who gets picked on simply for being so smart." This is who I want to work with. I don't care how, or even in what setting, I just know that being a school psychologist doesn't seem to be the right path for me (I've done a bit of research on that). I am hoping someone here may be able to help me with making the decision of what to do next. There are so many options I don't even know where to begin.

HELP! I'm becoming so frustrated 🙁

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Hello everyone,

I've been killing my brain for over a year with what I want to do when I graduate next June. I will have my BA in Psychology and can either move on to a PsyD/PhD or MA/MHC. I wish there were a person whose job was to help me narrow down the overwhelming amount of choices, similar to a headhunter, because I feel so lost in the options.

My main interests are behaviorism and working with children who are the victims of bullying (a cause dear to my heart). I also have an interest in forensic psych but it takes somewhat of a backseat to the other two. Living in NYC, there are SO many options that I get overwhelmed and close the laptop.

I just want to help people who feel lost, bullied, helpless... the underdogs. It doesn't necessarily have to be children, that's just the broadest area of this subject. I tell my friends my dream would be to "help the heavyset girl who gets teased for her weight, or the gay boy who feels he has to hide who he really is, or the brilliant 'nerd' who gets picked on simply for being so smart." This is who I want to work with. I don't care how, or even in what setting, I just know that being a school psychologist doesn't seem to be the right path for me (I've done a bit of research on that). I am hoping someone here may be able to help me with making the decision of what to do next. There are so many options I don't even know where to begin.

HELP! I'm becoming so frustrated 🙁

Why not do school psychology? You could always get a Psy.S. if you were not certain about getting a doctorate.

 

[LPPSYD]

Hello everyone,

I've been killing my brain for over a year with what I want to do when I graduate next June. I will have my BA in Psychology and can either move on to a PsyD/PhD or MA/MHC. I wish there were a person whose job was to help me narrow down the overwhelming amount of choices, similar to a headhunter, because I feel so lost in the options.

My main interests are behaviorism and working with children who are the victims of bullying (a cause dear to my heart). I also have an interest in forensic psych but it takes somewhat of a backseat to the other two. Living in NYC, there are SO many options that I get overwhelmed and close the laptop.

I just want to help people who feel lost, bullied, helpless... the underdogs. It doesn't necessarily have to be children, that's just the broadest area of this subject. I tell my friends my dream would be to "help the heavyset girl who gets teased for her weight, or the gay boy who feels he has to hide who he really is, or the brilliant 'nerd' who gets picked on simply for being so smart." This is who I want to work with. I don't care how, or even in what setting, I just know that being a school psychologist doesn't seem to be the right path for me (I've done a bit of research on that). I am hoping someone here may be able to help me with making the decision of what to do next. There are so many options I don't even know where to begin.

HELP! I'm becoming so frustrated 🙁

This sounds like my understanding of what a school counselor's role is (not school psychologist).

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

This sounds like my understanding of what a school counselor's role is (not school psychologist).

Ah sorry for the confusion. Then why not do that OP? If that is what you definitely want to do.

 

[SuzanneBB]

What is an OP?

Becoming a school psychologist was my original goal when beginning school because it seemed like the obvious choice, but I started asking around (people in the field) and was told that you deal mostly with angry parents and mounds of paperwork than actually helping anyone. I figured it'd be better to do something where the parents chose to get the child help (rather than through force of a school).

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

What is an OP?

Becoming a school psychologist was my original goal when beginning school because it seemed like the obvious choice, but I started asking around (people in the field) and was told that you deal mostly with angry parents and mounds of paperwork than actually helping anyone. I figured it'd be better to do something where the parents chose to get the child help (rather than through force of a school).

It means original poster (the person who asked the question). Sorry for the confusion. I would say probably being a school counselor would be a better choice then. See if maybe you could interview or shadow a counselor for a few days and see if you like that better.

 

[CheetahGirl]

I wish there were a person whose job was to help me narrow down the overwhelming amount of choices, similar to a headhunter, because I feel so lost in the options.

There is such a person. Go to your university's career servies (every university should have one) or make an appointment with a graduate admissions counselor at another desired university. If you are in the NYC area, go to Columbia, NYU, Pace, CUNY, Hunter, Fordham - pick one...there are plenty of graduate admissions offices around here. 😉You only need to tell them that you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree at their university and you would like to talk with someone about career options and which type of program suits you best. You will get the counselors' opinion, but they are more familiar with specific options and can tailor the information to your interests.

(P.S. You don't really need to end up at that specific university, but it sounds like an appointment with any graduate admissions counselor would be good for you at this point. I'd start with your undergraduate university first, since you are already a student there. Oh, and also, do your homework before you visit a desired university - just check their website for graduate degrees offered so you do not look silly by showing up & asking about pursuing a clinical PsyD program when there may not be one at that specific graduate school.)

See if maybe you could interview or shadow a counselor for a few days and see if you like that better.

That's great advice! I would recommend the same.

 

[Balmoral]

Hello everyone,
I just want to help people who feel lost, bullied, helpless... the underdogs. It doesn't necessarily have to be children, that's just the broadest area of this subject. I tell my friends my dream would be to "help the heavyset girl who gets teased for her weight, or the gay boy who feels he has to hide who he really is, or the brilliant 'nerd' who gets picked on simply for being so smart." This is who I want to work with. I don't care how, or even in what setting, I just know that being a school psychologist doesn't seem to be the right path for me (I've done a bit of research on that). I am hoping someone here may be able to help me with making the decision of what to do next. There are so many options I don't even know where to begin.

HELP! I'm becoming so frustrated 🙁

From your post it sounds like you know the population you want to work with, I believe the question you could focus on is HOW do you want to help them. Do you want to connect these children with services that help them? Do you want to do counseling/psychotherapy? Do you want to become a physician and medical awareness? Do you want to conduct research that will guide EBP? Do you want to develop a program or do public policy work? All these paths can help you with your "dream." You can just volunteer all your time to organizations that service these populations then you can satisfy your dream. Maybe getting more experience would be a good step with your academic decision. Eventually, if you decide to change your mind, you can always switch later.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

From your post it sounds like you know the population you want to work with, I believe the question you could focus on is HOW do you want to help them. Do you want to connect these children with services that help them? Do you want to do counseling/psychotherapy? Do you want to become a physician and medical awareness? Do you want to conduct research that will guide EBP? Do you want to develop a program or do public policy work? All these paths can help you with your "dream." You can just volunteer all your time to organizations that service these populations then you can satisfy your dream. Maybe getting more experience would be a good step with your academic decision. Eventually, if you decide to change your mind, you can always switch later.

I agree. I would probably try to get some social work experience too so you don't end up changing your mind later.

 

[CheetahGirl]

I agree. I would probably try to get some social work experience too so you don't end up changing your mind later.

School social worker (a subspecialty of social work) may be a great a fit for what the OP was describing and it wouldn't take tons of money and countless years in graduate school. School social workers can recommend the family pursue psychotherapy for the child (or other recommendations such as academic tutoring, occupational therapy-yes, even for kids, eye exams, physical exams, etc.), and works closely with all aspects of the child's life (teachers, parents, other professionals). You'd need to learn the difference between a school social worker and a school counselor (aka guidance counselor) but I understand the major difference to be that school social workers are placed in innercity schools that require an intermediate between the schools, families and city agencies. You basically triage and match the child with the supports needed, all the while working with the parents to do the best for the child. You will not do therapy per se (nor should you unless trained), but you will counsel (i.e. give advice, offer directives) to some extent.

P.S. If there are any school social workers out there, please correct me if I'm wrong. My perspective comes from having received consults from school social workers regarding a particular case, usually involving abuse or neglect in the home.

Oh, and to the OP, Columbia has an excellent social work program.