Help!!! I'm stuck!

College Majors
1

Hello all, I am actually a college grad (2016) with a degree in psychology. Right now I am feeling incredibly stuck and anxious. Hoping I can get some advice.

As a college student I majored in psychology because I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do. I have, however always worked with kids and enjoyed it. I also always have had a lot of knowledge about/an interest in health related fields as my mom was ill while I was growing up. So, as my time in college came to an end I began searching for jobs in hospitals and came across a job at a large children’s hospital in my city as a nursing assistant. I worked in outpatient, obviously very different than inpatient. I had long hours and little time off. I was with each patient for 5-10 minutes a day (I just did basic vitals). While I was here I was taking A& P courses at a local community college with the plan to go back for nursing. Frankly however, I got bored and began looking at other options.

I landed a job as a paraprofessional (teachers aide) in my district. I’m making a lot more money (where I live public schools system employees are paid generously- including teachers) and im loving my easier hours and the idea that I get those Monday holidays off and extra time off at other holidays. Something concerning, though, is that I have no behavior management skills and the kids walk all over me, causing me to be very stressed.

After college I had told all my family and friends I was going to school to be a nurse. Then I switched gears and told everyone I was going to try out teaching. I am now terrified that I made the wrong decision and that nursing is where my skills and interest lie. I am so frustrated and confused with myself and have even considered seeing a therapist over my inability to make a decision about my future.

Does anyone have any experience with this? What did you do to help yourself figure out your best fit? Should I be embarrassed? Ugh I just feel like a failure.

2

Your feelings are normal. Relax. I think in some ways its hard for youth to determine what they want to do because there are so many options out there. At one time, especially for women, it was be a teacher or nurse. Sometimes I think you just have to make a decision and go with it after weighing all your options.

If you like working with children and have a background in psychology have you thought about getting a masters in school counseling? That might be blending your two worlds.

In terms of your current job I don’t know how long you have been at it but its very common for starting teachers and assistants not to have classroom management skills. Even for those who have had classes on the topic and gone through student teaching. Usually for most there is a day where all of the sudden it comes together, things clique, and you know how to manage students in a positive way. One suggestion I have for that is to observe other teachers to have those skills, ask colleagues for hints and advice, and read a few articles on the topic. With knowledge and practice you’ll get it.

I am no expert but if you didn’t like the long hours of nursing, it might not be for you. Generally I find that nurses tend to work very, very long hours on their feet.

Please don’t feel embarrassed or worry about what you’ve told your family. This is all a normal part of the career exploration process. Even adults much older than yourself feel the same way you do. Remember, its a marathon not a sprint. Try to relax and embrace the process of self-discovery. Its all good.

3

Thank you so much for your reply. Very true that it is hard to determine where you’re best fit lies - especially while you aren’t young. School counseling has crossed my mind and i will look further into it. Thank you!

4

Yes, I also immediately thought of school counseling. I also think skills to manage a group of kids can be learned and practiced.

5

Teaching programs will help you with class management skills. If you like the school setting but not the classroom setting, then along with school counseling (a natural with your Psych undergrad) you could look at speech pathology. There are also areas like reading specialists that are more resource and pull out students, but that might be more of an add-on certification that you have to be in classroom first. Also, there are school psychologists and school social workers. Check out all of those.

If you do look at counseling, be aware that criteria vary from state to state. One of D’s friends had to rule out one state when job hunting because school counselors had to have a certain number of years in the classroom first. That’s not the case in our state or state where she ended up working. Good luck.

6

If the only reason you like working at the school is because of the hours and pay, then the job at the school won’t work. You have to love working with kids in a school setting. Not just, “like it a lot” but **LOVE **working with them. The pay and hours are secondary.

I work with kids all day long. Yes, they try to rule the roost, but once you learn a couple of tricks, you can get them to focus.
One: Post your rules (or, if you move around a lot, carry a laminated copy) i.e. be respectful, keep hands to yourself, listen to one person at a time, etc. Review it with them, out loud, each and every time. When the kids get off-task, you’ve given them control over your lesson.

Two: Always have a reward system: Verbal praise. (Be SINCERE!!!) Kids don’t receive enough verbal praise:
-Joey, that was a great sentence! Can you write another one so your friends can see how you started?
-Wait, stop, I am amazed! I want everyone to stop for a second and give yourselves a pat on the back because you are all doing such great work!

-I’m so proud of you! The 6th graders need to come see how well you work and how smart (creative, wonderful, spectacular, etc) you are!

THREE be unpredictable-I love the way you’ve all worked! . . . It’s surprise sticker time!, coloring time!, etc.

Four: Vary your intonation: whisper: “Don’t tell anyone but,I just wanted to let you know that I feel so lucky to be working with the best students!” (“oh, okay, you can tell your parents and your brothers/sister!”)

They love attention!

FIVE: go observe a GREAT teacher, in a very large class, and see how he/she handles classroom management.

Think about what you really want to do. You have to do it for LOVE first. Yes, I am practical, but you really have to like what you do above all else. I am a speech therapist and work part time and love it!

7

I would recommend you look into Occupational therapy. Many OTs work in school systems. And they work in 1:1 and in small groups. And if you get tired of working with children there are so many other areas where OTs work.