Huge change in career - I quite fancy becoming some sort of councellor...

[MascaraOHara]

Right, some of you may know that I do a job that I really don't like and for which I am grossly underpaid.

When I left school I quite fancied becoming a social worker or doing something along those lines. I was put off when I learnt that they got paid quite poor money. and by the by ended up in the job I do now.

Anyway more and more lately I've been thinking about having a job that I actually enjoy and keep thinking that I'd like to do some sort of councelling/social work(?) maybe attached to the police force or attached to some sort of support/welfare group.

My problem is I don't even know if it is councelling that would be the right term let alone where to start investigating what I need to do to get into a job like that. Is there anybody here who does that line of work? if so how did you get into it, what sort of courses/qualifications would I need?

my mil is doing a course at night school.
Contact local collage to find out.
ALsi ring SS and have a chat.
I have a friend who works for cruise i think..if you cat me I could pass on your details and she would mail you about it

have you thought of becoming a relate counsellor... my friend is going thru the training at the moment and loves it ... she should get a job with them next year...

No Mancmum I'd not thought of that at all. I might look into that!

Thanks AuntyMandy, do you think if I just ring SS they might be able to give me some advice?

I also thought maybe I should investigate university for maybe a psychology course details with a view to doing a councelling course after that..?

my MIL hasnt got a degree. I suppose it depends on whta level and how much you want to invest in your career change

this looks very useful

FN that's ace! thank so much

I'm currently training in counselling. I do evening classes. It is 3 years until qualification to become a professional counsellor. You also have to do a lot of hours seeing people under supervisions and then on your own and undergo approx. 50 hours of your own counselling/therapy . I can't remember the exact no. of hours. It's hard work and a big commitment - time and finance.

If you want to train as a cruse/relate counsellor it's a lot quicker and simpler.

Let me know if would like any more info.

I've read the link FN put up..

I'd like to do both really, I think my personality would be better suited to psychology.

It looks like it's not possible to do both hand in hand as they seem to be almost a reflection of each other - one remains neutral and encourage other to come to conclusions. The other draws conclusions and takes action.

CIT - I'd love some more info. How are you finding the course? what were your expectations, have they been met etc..

Is it OK if I CAT you this evening, then I can go into more detail.

yes, please do.

I think my personality leans more towards the psychology side. I think I'd find it very hard not to lead somebody into a decision I thought was right if I were a counsellor

You might think it was the right decision but it might not be the right one for the other person.

exactly my point CIT, I'm not sure I could remain entirely neutral in my subconscious even if I appeared to be on the surface!

Have sent you a CAT, but you probably won't get it until Monday.