I need GOOD advice on what to do for my career path!?!?

Question

I want to be a kindergarten teacher and I am currently majoring in Integrated Science and am minoring in Elementary Education (at my school we have to major in a subject area and minor in education). However I am extremely interested in Psychology or Social Work and am considering double-majoring. I want to teach but I also want to have the education to possibly be a child psychologist or a child social worker. Is it a better idea to get a Master's degree in both education AND psychology or social work in order to have a successful career? I don't want to be in school for the rest of my life! In addition to that, I do want to put myself in a good direction when it comes to actually getting a job with a decent salary when I'm done with school. Any serious, sincere advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

*Thank you all for your responses! You have no idea how much I appreciate all of your great advice. Just to add a bit, I think I've realized that it's moreso psychology that I'm interested in and not so much the social work. Thank you again! =)

Answer 1

The MSW is a far more versatile degree in working with youth, but you may find that the degree in psychology opens up the possibility of teaching psychology courses in H.S. DA

Answer 2

I suggest you take a break and go teach Kindergarten before you start working on your Master's Degree (in School Psychology: there's quite a few jobs in School psychology, but most of them require prior teaching experience). Many young people make the mistake of getting their Masters before they start teaching, but this is a big mistake. It's harder to get a job when you have a Masters, because they have to pay you more. It's as simple as that. And just because you have a Master's doesn't mean a thing as far as knowing how to teach, and the school systems know this. So don't expect to "impress" them with your MA degree, you'll actually end up doing yourself more harm than good, cause it will be harder, not easier, to find a job. And the only way to learn to teach is to BE a teacher, any teacher will tell you that. The school districts know all of this, and they will hire the best candidate, as long as they are also the cheapest candidate they can find. Remember that. It's time to get out into the real world and make a living first, then later, go back and get your MA in a night school program; that's what I did, and I'm glad I did.

Answer 3

I think your best path based on all the factors you have presented here is to complete you education/science degree as quickly as possible. Sure, check into the possiblities of double majoring or double minoring. Most degree programs allow several hours for "free electives" - you can choose to take whatever you want - if you use those electives to take psychology or social work classes, you might be able to complete a minor by only taking one or two additional classes (after subtracting out the ones that also count as your elective classes), which would not seriously draw out your completion of a bachelors.

Then, get a teaching job in the field you are qualified in and get yourself on your feet financially. You can start a master's program in psychology or social work during your 1st year teaching, but I would not recommend that - there is a large learning curve your first year with all that you have to know other that what you are taught in school. Check with the school district that hires you about them paying for your master's degree. A lot of school districts do this, and it could save you a lot of money. You might also consider a school counseling or diagnostician degree; jobs which do require a masters in those areas and pay considerably more than teacher salary.

It's highly unlikely that you could obtain a position as a child psychologist with only a bachelor's in psychology - just something else to keep in mind. However, social work is different. You should be able to get a job in social work with only a bachelors, but usually a teaching degree would also qualify you for many social work jobs because you take so many child development classes. You might consider a position with the children's protective services in your state. It might even be worth looking into if your state's agency, should you work for them, may also pay for a post-graduate degree program.

Answer 4

You are asking a great question! I wish I had your insight when I was going to university! I can't say for sure what you should major in, or if you should try for the double major, but if I were you I would go talk to a student advisor. They would know the right path you should be talking and the easiest way from point "a" to point "b". They might even have an idea for a career that uses both intrests you have, and maybe one you haven't thought of yet... and show you the least bit of time to get there. I went to university, initially, for social work, but ended up with double major of psychology and anthropology. (I wanted to do what they do on CSI, but that was WAY before those types of shows came out... in 1991). I am actually going back to school to be a doctor. Yikes! Anyway, the best advice I can give you is to go see someone at your school that can show you the options you have in front of you, how to head in the right direction, and how to do it in the least amount of time. So, you can graduate with a career you love, and make the money you want to be making! Good luck with everything! :)

Answer 5

I don't know where you are in terms of schooling right now, but I do know that it is much easier to stay in school and come out later than to "go back" after you have become accustomed to earning a decent paycheck. (Being a teacher, depending what subject and where you are, of course, you can argue that it is not a decent paycheck but I digress).

If you are interested in other potential careers, my inkling would be to go for it now while you are young and able to deal with it better. Going back when you're older is harder! You may be married with children at the time, or you have other financial and life obligations that keep you back.

Answer 6

I am a recently retired elem teacher. It is an extremely stressful job, only 2nd in stress level nationally to air traffic controllers so to be ready in case you want out, I think getting your masters would be good because the insurance companies like to pay for counseling with people who have masters

Answer 7

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Answer 8

do anything what you love to do
it helps you out knowing that you are doing what you love to do