well I am in my third year of college and still do not know what I want to be, either a psychologist or a school teacher (elementary or middle school) I have ups and downs everyday trying to figure out what is right for me. anyone any of these professions or know anyone that is one and how they like there jobs? advantaged and disadvantages? please help, i would greatly appreciate ANY insight or advice! which is more stressful? rewarding? ect..?
2007-01-09 06:51:21 · 6 answers · asked by Tiffany.P 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
I am in my third year of college as well. What I would suggest is going for a teaching degree and seeing how you like it. It is harder to get into an APA accredited psych program than it is to get into either law school or medical school. Most universities will allow you to go for education while being a psychology major, so you can keep the psychology option open while getting certified. If you like teaching, stay with it and get your masters in education. If you don't like teaching, consider going back to school for psych now that you have experience under your belt.
Teachers earn less and have more flexible hours than psychologists, but there is more prestige by being a psychologist. Also, psychologists are often on call 24-7, so if there is an emergency you would need to work in the middle of the night or on weekends and holidays. Teaching is rewarding, but it is hard work and you always have to be on.
I would say try teaching first because it is excellent preparation for whatever you might want to do, and always keep psychology an option.
Good Luck!
2007-01-09 06:57:48 · answer #1 · answered by emp04 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I taught middle school for the past couple years.
The kids were great. Though they were often highly emotional and sometimes quite wild, they had an incredible spirit of inquiry (unlike high school students) and were often still as charming as younger children can be.
Though I decided to quit teaching, it had nothing to do with my students or their age group. I have heard, however, that it takes a certain type of person to enjoy teaching middle school.
The disadvantages of teaching were all the pointless paperwork and "accountability" guidelines, the interfering schoolboard, and many unreasonable parents. If you are a more conciliatory person than I am, the last two might not bother you.
2007-01-09 07:03:27 · answer #2 · answered by Iris 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was a teacher for 15 years and loved every minute of it! My advice, get a school counselor certificate and take your post graduate requirements in the school psychologist area. As a teacher, you constantly need to upgrade your certificate to advance on the pay scale and to stay valid...although each state varies on how many and how often.
Best wishes!!
2007-01-09 06:59:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
school psychologist/guidance counselor is probably the best choice
Teachers have to put up with a lot of unnecessary drama---
2007-01-09 07:55:21 · answer #4 · answered by careful 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd say teacher, it's great if you like children; but I think that a prayer will help you better...try to ask God, He knows better than us what's BEST. I have been a teacher since 1989 and I like doing this, even if...Please pray for that! May God help you!
2007-01-09 07:05:03 · answer #5 · answered by tatal_nostru2006 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hi! I got a degree in psychology but then jacked it in to retrain as a teacher! :) Four years on, I'm still glad I did!
2007-01-09 07:00:31 · answer #6 · answered by Louise Oriole 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋