Wow, wow, wow. Where has the time gone? I feel like it was just yesterday that I was sitting in my Junior year of high school completing a college search project and thinking about the career I wanted. I remember thinking about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, and looking at all of the possibilities that lay ahead of me. I always had the desire to go into counseling because I enjoy working with people, am genuinely interested in understanding people’s “stories”, and I’m motivated by helping make an impact on individual lives. I remember sitting in my Junior year of high school and thinking a couple of things about the potential of a career in counseling…
1. I will be in school forever. After spending four years in high school trying to not only figure out all of the awkward parts of yourself, survive eight hours of class a day and then 2-3 hours of practice, take classes that you think will never benefit you in the future, and try to avoid “the rest of your life” by not making too horrible of decisions. When you think of going to school for at least another four years, it seems like FOREVER. I knew that if I wanted to go into Counseling I would have to not only go for four years and get my Bachelor’s in Psychology, but at least two years after than in a Master’s program is basically a requirement. SIX MORE YEARS, I thought. No way. So, I went into business. That lasted exactly one semester and I realized that there is no way I could be in a career that I wasn’t a helper.
2. I will get burned out. Often when people thinking about counseling, they think about the extremes. A lot of times people will picture someone laying down on a couch, talking about their childhood, and exposing all of the deepest, darkest sexual fantasies. Although Freud was a pioneer in the field of Psychology and Counseling, a lot of his theories are outdated. Another visual people get when thinking about counseling is working primarily with addicts. Through shows like Intervention it sometimes seems that those who reach out for help are at the very extremes. They have hit rock bottom and the only one who can save them is a counselor. That’s a little bit of pressure, huh? Well, luckily, there are lots of types of counseling that neither force someone to lay on a chaise lounge or deal with extreme chemical dependency. Also, one of the first things you learn in counseling is that a counselor can’t change someone, only that person can change themselves. Take a little bit of the pressure off. :)
3. I will make no money. I also recall while sitting in my English class Junior year that if I go into counseling I will never make any money. Well, honestly, that can be true. The chance of a counselor making tons and tons of money is pretty unlikely. There is the possibility of getting a PhD and making more money than a Master’s level counselor. Professors, Clinical Psychologists, and Industrial/Organizational Psychologists are examples of PhD level professionals who can make a very good salary. But, for Master’s level there is a relative cap that most won’t go over. But, trust me, it is enough. Also, knowing that the work you are doing is not only bringing home a decent paycheck that can support a family, but it also is benefiting the lives of others compensates for the realization that you would have made more money if you would have gone into business.
So I cannot fully attest to what it is like to be a counselor, because, well, I am not one yet. BUT, I can tell you that since I decided that counseling is what I want to do, I have not questioned it once. This first year of the counseling training program has probably been the greatest learning experience of my life. I always knew that it would be difficult and would delve into personal aspects you might not have initially thought of, but I didn’t realize how intense it would be. Now when I think about my education I am:
1. Thankful that I am still in school and learning. I have realized that I still have so much to learn about myself and my career before I start in the profession. I am thankful I have these extra two years to be surrounded by books, coffee, new classmates, tests, and lots and lots of learning. Like I said, I feel like I just got out of that High School English class. The four years of Undergrad flew by and I can’t believe a year of grad school is now over. Plus, who wants to rush into being a “real person” anyways?
2. Maybe I can do 5 more years? Although I know that I want to work in the field for a bit, I am already considering going back to get my PhD in Counselor Education. It’s crazy to think that 5 years ago I could hardly imagine doing four more years. Now I am considering not only finishing the next year of school, but going back for another 5 after that. Once you are taking classes that really interest you, the years seem to melt away. :)
3. Giving to others is giving to yourself. As corny/cliche as it might sound, it is the truth. Even though I am just in my first year and not doing “actual” counseling, I have had quite a few of those “Whoa!” moments. The moment when someone tells you something that they haven’t told anyone else before. The moment when you see someone make a big change in their life and you were along for the process. The moment when you help empower someone through the support and strength you provide them. Those are the moments that make the years and lack of money worth it. I can’t wait to have a career that is filled with these possibilities.
-Allie
