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To Work or Not to Work, That Is the Question…

Working Counselor Degree

Brick-and-Mortar or World Wide Web?

Jen Cummings M.A. decided to attend U.S.C. while working full-time. She enrolled in night classes so her work schedule would not be affected.

  • Jen Cummings M.A.

The main concern with internet degrees is the weight they carry in the counseling community. Be sure to research how employers react to master’s degrees in counseling from each online program you are examining. Also check with the state licensing committee to ascertain what requirements need to be met and if the internet college degree will satisfylicensuremandates.

Married with Kids?

Kim Dawson M.A. was a single mother who had to work part-time while in graduate school.

“I was the only one in my master’s program who was divorced, the primary caregiver for young children and holding down a job. Everyone felt for me. It was a long and difficult road. I have never regretted doing it, but I don’t think I would do it again, I missed out on important events in the lives of my kids.”

  • Kim Dawson M.A.

Do You Have a Support Network?

Anyone who is pursuing a master’s in counseling will derive great benefit from having a strong and available support network. Even if it is emotional support on the telephone, having people encourage and uplift you is a real plus while juggling work and school. If you do not have such a support network it might be wise to begin developing one. Sources can be anything from yoga class acquaintances, church members, exercise partners, relatives and trusted counselors or mentors. Remember that no man is an island; especially when they are working and in graduate school.

John Parsons M.S. was working full-time while getting his master’s degree in psychology. He recalls the importance of his support group,

“As funny as this might sound, my support came from my golf buddies. We made sure to play twice a month and keep in touch between games. Sometimes I would call one or another of them just to vent and get a fresh perspective. I know it’s odd, but I know that those guys helped me to keep things together.”

  • John Parsons M.S.

What Are Your Needs and How Well Do You Set Boundaries?

Realistically how much sleep, exercise, dietary focus and down time do you need to be fully functioning? Don’t be too quick to answer; working while in graduate school is a marathon not a sprint. Failure to care for oneself will inevitably result in unnecessary additional stress, a compromising of the immune system and eventually illness. There are ways to plan for making fast and easy healthy meals, squeezing in a quick daily workout and sticking to a sleep schedule. However, if you do not have the ability to set strong boundaries your best efforts might easily be sabotaged. The best thing about a master’s program is that it is for a limited and designated period of time. Realize that this way of living and working is indeed temporary; it will in fact come to an end. Do not try to tackle the demands on your body and time without a solid definition of what is healthy for you. Decide to be a boundary-driven with others as well as yourself. Curb any self-destructive habits and substitute good healthy fun activities. Take good care ofyouand your time spent at work and school will be much more fun and enjoyable.

Counseling Student Mom

How Creative Can You Be about Studying?

One of the tricks to working and going to school is to be constantly on the lookout for new and different ways to study.Taping lecturesto play in the car or on a lunch break is one study aid. You can read important sections while waiting for appointments, post study notes on the walls at home and work and be sure you always have a study tool with you at all times. It’s amazing how much can be digested on the fly. Learning can be fun, especially when you consistently create new ways to assimilate the necessary data.

Your Attitude—Will It Make You or Break You?

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