What is a good career path if I don't want to go to graduate school?

Question

I am a senior in high school, I am unsure of what I want to do with the rest of my life. I like working with people and helping others, I would really like to go into psychology but I don't have the money or the time to continue my education after four years of college. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Well, let's take one thing at a time because you never know what you might want to do, or be able to do, four years from now. When I first started university, many years ago, I believed that I had the time and money to do just one year (in those days you could start teaching with just one year of university), and that is what I did, and then I taught fifth grade the next year (I was 17). Since then, I have completed two bachelors degrees and a masters degree. So never say never.

Have you considered any aptitude or interest inventories? Your school counselor should be able to help you access them and they might help you focus your career goals. I have included one link that you might find helpful.

A bachelors degree in psychology can open doors for you. One of our daughters has a bachelors degree in psych and she now works for an internationally known autism center developing individual programming for children. Consider that asking this question is just the first step in your search. Begin to investigate possibilities. You can have many options with a bachelors degree, and often after working a while there is motivation to continue with graduate work.

Best of luck with your plans.

Answer 2

Social work might be the right thing for you. The degree is more specialized and doesn't take as long to get. I'd recommend getting a job at a retirement home or hospice or group home with handicaped individuals (mentally+ maybe physically). That's what I did after college and you can earn a relative lot of money at it. During that time you should look at some community college courses in social work and take a few just to see if you would like to go in that direction. You might also decide to stay in the original area you start in (end up managing group homes or something). Another thing to do is, if you have a different kind of job, volunteer at a hospital once a week. Visit a retirement home and ask the staff who of the residents doesn't have a family that visits; then befriend that person and visit. Or volunteer at a school, especially an elementary or nursery school.

But what on earth do you mean, you don't have the TIME to go to grad school? Hogwash!! Whose schedule are you on? You do have a whole 'rest of my life' ahead of you, so you have to invest in it now to get rewards later (and sooner). That doesn't mean do something you hate, but it does mean the time you have now should exactly be preparing your future. There are plenty of interesting types of work to earn your money while you dabble here and there.

Good luck!

Natasha

...On the other hand, backpacking around Europe is a great thing to do before you get tied down to something... and seeing different cultures helps you tremendously in understanding different people. I combined the two: I ended up in southern Germany and volunteered for a year as a teacher's helper for middle schoolers. I taught the kids American folk songs and they performed at an international show. I had a heckuva lotta fun and learned German and a lot else too.

Answer 3

It is so easy to get discouraged as a high school senior when looking ahead at that looming costs of college. If you think you may like Psychology, start with a few classes in the subject. Do not start worrying about your career or grad school until you hit your junior year of college. It is getting harder and harder to compete in certain job/career markets without a graduate degree, even most states require that their teachers have a Masters degree in education. I would say go to grad school.

If your worrying about paying for grad school, take advantage of the financial opportunities at the school. For instance, many schools will employ grad students as TA's (teacher assistants - usually entails proctoring exams and holding office hours to tutor undergrad students), some will take you on as an RA(resident assistant, your like a hall monitor for a dorm hall and you get to stay in your room (w/no roommate too) w/out having to pay room and board), also there are graduate assistant ships available depending on the college/university assisting in research.

Don't get so intimidated by the costs of education. I think once your in college and utilize the help of financial aid you'll find a way if that is what you really want.

Answer 4

In my opinion the best profession is nursing. Many schools will gladly fund your education. There is an agreement between the junior college in my town and a local hospital that they will pay for the student to go to school, give them a living stipend (monthly check) and then the student will have a job when they are done. Also, if you like to travel, a nurse can become a travelling nurse. Finally, there are lots of advancement opportunities for nurses from becoming hospital administrators to becoming physician assistants. It's worth looking into. And there are ALWAYS jobs available for nurses and the pay is great.

Answer 5

You can make a great living as a Long Haul truck driver. The more you drive the more you make. Its an easy high paying job. When you save up a couple grand then get your masters degree in psychology. youll see the country and meet interesting people.

Answer 6

If you're serious about psychology, stick with it! Get grants, financial aid, 2 or 3 jobs, whatever it takes!

If not, try real estate. People will always need a place to live!

Answer 7

Have you considered social work? The programs are often much shorter and there is some overlap with psychology (i.e., you will be working with people and helping others).

Answer 8

If you want to be a psychologist, you will need to go to graduate school. Did you know that graduate programs pay you to go? They either don't admit you, or if they admit you, they pay. They pay your tuition, health insurance, and a monthly stipend of about $1500-$2000 US dollars to live on.

Answer 9

Well if u dont graduate there is no career path for u, not even McDonalds. Krispy Kreme or Bush's Advisor, maybe.

Answer 10

you can go into the health care field and pay relatively a small amount of money at a community college.