PhD or counselling training?

[monkeytennismum]

Loving this new board! Hoping it (you all) are going to solve my dilemma

I am currently working PT as a psychology research assistant. Kids are getting older now and I'm getting twitchy about where my career is going and want to take some action. I've narrowed down my two options to: starting a PhD (part-time initially, maybe moving to full-time when this current funded post ends); and re-training to become a counsellor.

I have a Masters level qualification in psychology and also 6+ years experience volunteering with a telephone support service (hence the counselling). I love both these roles and so I think I would enjoy both training routes equally well but what about the resulting career?

My worries are: is a PhD necessary for a career in research anymore? Would I just be putting myself through years of hard slog when I could progress through the ranks without being 'Dr Monkeytennis'? And with counselling, is there much work around? It seems like there are lots of trained people around who don't earn very much. What would job options be for a counsellor in say NHS, schools, charities as opposed to private practice?

Thank you so much for anyone who has stuck with this post and especially anyone who take the time to reply

A PhD is unnecessary unless you want to be a professor. Research the job opportunities in your local area very carefully before committing. A PhD may over-qualify you for the available jobs, or it may simply be a waste if there aren’t any jobs that require PhDs. 70% of PhDs do not succeed in getting research jobs.

Thanks Marelle - wow that's quite a startling statistic! 70%?

I mean 70% of PhDs aren’t working in academia doing research jobs. Half of that 70% will get some sort of research job outside of academia, and the other half will get a non-research job. The 30% who did succeed in getting academic jobs are likely to have had to relocate. It’s wise to be informed about job prospects because a PhD is a big investment and for most people it doesn’t pay off career wise.

www.findaphd.com/advice/doing/phd-non-academic-careers.aspx

Thanks that's an interesting article.

70% of PhDs do not succeed in getting research jobs

No advice to offer as not my area, but this doesn't mean anything. You need to look at your ideal RA job, and work out how many post holders have PhDs, not the other way round.