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advice needed - career related (XP May 2012)

MelissaMisoMelissaMiso member
in Working Moms

I'm hoping some of you will have some ideas to help me think of other options. I've been working full-time as a drug and alcohol counselor (inpatient rehab) and part-time in my private practice (I'm a licensed mental health counselor).

My full time job doesn't pay all that great, but it's steady work. At my private practice, I make good money per hour but do not have the time nor money put aside in order to build the practice.

We are struggling to catch up since my bout of unemployment last year. My husband's job is cutting back hours (he's a supervisor in a book warehouse and, well, people aren't buying physical books like they did years ago). He's looking for a new job.

I've been keeping my eyes open for better paying work but I'm running out of ideas on where to look. I feel like I need to look out of my field and move towards something corporate (plus I'm exhausted from being a caretaker 24/7 when the only one I want to care for is my 1 year old). Any ideas on where to look for more job openings? 

Any career advice greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance


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Re: advice needed - career related (XP May 2012)

  • BeckyTheEngineerBeckyTheEngineer
    I'm assuming you have a graduate degree in counseling. Do you belong to your state or a national association? If so, they probably have information about what different careers their members have, and current job openings. I'd start within my field if I was looking for a change that would pay me for my experience. Or, you could consider teaching, if that appeals to you. With a masters you could teach at the community college or undergrad level, either in a brick and mortar school or online.
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  • groovygrlgroovygrl member

    Not sure if you have motivational interviewing training or health coaching training (since both are related to your current field) but those are up & coming areas from what I can tell, I would look into maybe trying to get that type of training- if you search online for those types of jobs, there are a lot (depending on wher eyou live of course).  I would focus on what you have to offer regardless of specialty/disease/health problem...behavioral counseling is obviously something that can be applied to so many things and with changes in healthcare & the focus on prevention & keeping ppl out of hte hospital your skills could apply in a lot of places. Try looking into some health plans if you're looking for something more corporate, they often need ppl like you!

    Ditto the teaching idea though teaching pay is not going to be great at a community college (and I'm not sure they even hire full time?) but maybe you could get in as a lecturer in a B.S. program somewhere.

    GL!

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  • MdWestMomMdWestMom member
    DH is a counselor too...as PP said, have you looked into teaching at the community college level? Also, if you picked up some HR classes/cert, you could probably go corporate in the HR field. DH has a handful of additional credits to finish & will be a licensed school counselor also. Working for school district has its drawbacks BUT...Pluses are good hours, summers off, working with kids....Good luck in whatever you decide. 
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  • Reilly626Reilly626 member
    School guidance counselor.
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  • kimberlybethhkimberlybethh member
    I used to be in your shoes except I did family therapy instead of chemical dependency counseling. I was experiencing major burnout but still wanted to have a job where I could use my master's degree in social work in some capacity. For the past seven months I have been writing grants at a large non-profit. I love it because it fulfills my desire to "help" but it pays 20% more than my previous position, no on-call, and it is way less stress. Would something like this be a possibility? I also have friends in our field who transitioned from direct practice to more administrative postions like volunteer coordinators, marketing for non-profits, ect. I hope this helps. Good luck!!
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  • MelissaMisoMelissaMiso member
    Great ideas everyone! Thank you so much. I'm going to look into every one of your suggestions. I knew Bump Mamma's would have great suggestions!

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