"Recession-proof" career??

Zookeeper · #1 10/21/08, 08:39 AM

I am thinking of going back to graduate school to add on a Specialist degree in School Counseling (already have Master's in Counseling but they won't hire me without the other degree). Do you think if they start making big budget cuts, that a school counselor would be fairly safe...or will they go the way of other mental health professionals and be cut to the bone?

One of the reasons I want to make this change is that I can not work in mental health here...where we live, my only option is to work for the state agency and the workload they're demanding takes *good* counselors about 80-90 hrs. a week to get the work done, and I have 4 school-aged children at home, so that is OUT. I don't want to completely change careers and trash the schooling I already have, and this would give me the same schedule as my children have (my #1 concern for the next 10 yrs. or so.)

This is the quickest route I can take for the most return (15 more months of school...I just don't want to waste my efforts on something that may not have a bright future...but not working in the school system, I just don't know how things are...

Any opinions?

Madame · #2 10/21/08, 09:35 AM

Check with Georgia's Dept of Ed and see if the field is crowded or wide open.

SunsetSonata · #3 10/21/08, 11:53 AM

I looked into this field in my area, and figured out that odds are great that recent graduates must do their time in part-time positions. I'm sure some are fortunate enough to obtain employment through their internships. My guess is that some of these full-time positions may get cut into a couple of part-time positions, thereby eliminating benefits, or getting salaried and getting paid much less per hour due to the time demands. Not knowing what you are after, a part-time schedule might be perfect for you - if not I don't wish to discourage you, but to simply see what else is out there and if you are willing to move.

baldylocks · #4 10/21/08, 12:23 PM

My wife is a school counselor and there have been jobs in both states in which we have lived since she gained her cert. She started full time on both situations with not too much trouble finding the positions. Something we have noticed in both states, though, is that when budget talks fall apart as they always seem to do, assistant principals and couselors are the first to go.

On the other hand, I think there are federal regulations that require a certain counselor to student ratio in high schools so you might find some help there. No such regulation exists in elem or middle schools if I understand correctly.

sewtlm · #5 10/21/08, 12:57 PM

Teaching and working at small schools is usually a permanent job although some positions are half time like the counselor and coaches.

You do know that you need to know about college entrance exams and information not just the psycology. And you may be needed to teach certain information about drugs and the one I like "Communications and following directions" and some do guided study. This means lesson plans and grading papers.

I am the counselor's substitute of choice which means I get lots of half days at school while she is on trips with students to career and college fairs.

I would suggest that you sign up to sub teach at several area schools to see if you like working with teenagers (before you take time and money for the education). They can be trying at times. Substitutes can net more than regular teachers and here after 30 days you get the regular teachers benefits.

watcher · #6 10/21/08, 02:08 PM

The medical field is going to be a growing market in the next decade and more due to all the baby boomers getting old.

cnvh · #7 10/21/08, 02:17 PM

The only real "recession-proof" careers I can think of are most of the medical field, and possibly some trades, like Electrician or Plumber-- stuff people need whether the economy's in the tank or not.

Porteiro · #8 10/21/08, 02:54 PM

The #1 recession-proof career I can think of is undertaker or mortician.

People ain't gonna stop dying just 'cuz there's a recession going on.

Txsteader · #9 10/21/08, 03:17 PM

Maybe this will help your decision:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081019/...eltdown_cities

Pony · #10 10/21/08, 03:38 PM

There is a lot of competition for school counselor/social worker positions. Lots of schools try to "stretch" the services of their counselors between multiple schools, and that's very taxing on the mind and heart.

Also, many districts use the services of cooperatives, and those are "traveling" positions. Lots of miles on the car, and on your brain.

Once hired, it's hard to get fired, unless the school district is having financial issues.

The best security is in states that require social workers or counselors on staff.

For me, the time and big bucks invested in that aspect of my degree were wasted. I found it particularly discouraging, but that, of course, is only my personal experience.

Before moving forward, I would interview many people who work in the field in your area to see how they feel about their jobs, and also to describe to you what their positions require. If you could actually shadow someone for a while without waiting until you do your internships, you may be able to get a better idea of how the systems work in your area -- and if you feel that you can work within those systems.

Alice In TX/MO · #11 10/21/08, 03:50 PM

In my part of Texas, being a school counselor doesn't mean you counsel. Oh, you might do SOME of that, but the rest of the job list is huge:

1. Administer state required testing at all grade levels
This includes being responsible for the security of the test, sorting the test booklets and answer sheets by grade/class, assigning the teachers to proctor, supervising on test day, gathering the materials after the test, collating all the materials, shipping the tests and testing materials back to the state testing office.
2. Disaggregate all data produced by state required testing.
This requires that you analyze the data to find the weaknesses on your campus. Data must be disaggregated by race, socio-economic status, grade level, etc.
3. Serve as scholarship committee head for graduating seniors
You are the source of all information and forms for scholarships, and if the students don't turn them in on time, it's your fault. You are also supposed to seek out more scholarship funding every year.
4. Monitor student records to ensure they take what is required to graduate. Monitor students with special needs to ensure they are being served.
5. Be a class sponsor. Attend all class meetings, plan fundraisers, attend the prom or other dances, be responsible for student behavior at all functions.
6. and the list goes on............

Alice In TX/MO · #12 10/21/08, 03:52 PM

My recession proof career is owning and managing rental properties. Everyone has to live somewhere.

stranger · #13 10/21/08, 04:16 PM

take a job as a prison guard, people just can't wait to get in and give you a job.

farmergirl · #14 10/21/08, 04:26 PM

I sell insurance, and so far it's been a recession-proof career. I have the benefit of several years with the same company, so feel my employment is more secure than someone hired on in just the last year or two. Even so, job loss is something that we worry about in the larger scheme of things, as the current economy has been so turbulent.

seastar311 · #15 10/21/08, 04:43 PM

I'm a School Social Worker in two schools, an elementary and a preschool. Early Childhood Education is going to be one 'wave of the future'. If you can do your internship at an early childhood center with a special education focus, I would strongly recommend that.

By the way, I love my job! And in my area (south suburbs of Chicago) there seem to be positions open.