Career Roadmap
Amy's work combines: Education, Entrepreneurship, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Plainview High School
Bachelor's Degree
Social Studies Teacher Education
West Texas A & M University
Graduate Degree
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
Lamar University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors:
Bachelor's Degree: Social Studies Teacher Education
Graduate Degree: Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I changed colleges after my freshman year, and didn't declare a major until the end of my 2nd year in college.
2.
I started out as a teacher and assistant basketball coach for the first 5 years of my career.
3.
For the next 5 years, I was a head girls' basketball coach in 2 different schools.
4.
Through my coaching experience, I found what I was best at was loving kids, and I began to realize I wanted to be a school counselor.
5.
I came back to my original district where I taught economics and was the lead assistant basketball coach for 6 years.
6.
During this time, I decided to pursue my Masters in School Counseling.
7.
When I received my Masters, there were no counseling jobs in my district, so I actually commuted to a middle school in Lubbock for my first year as a school counselor.
8.
After that year, my original district created a position focused on college/career counseling, and I am currently in my 4th year in that position.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
I heard that I shouldn't become a teacher because the pay isn't great. Then I heard I shouldn't become a school counselor because they don't really do any counseling.
How I responded:
First of all, I believe we are all motivated by different things. While money is something we all need, it is not the primary motivation for everyone. For me, the idea of working with students as a teacher was more important than the lower income. Secondly, regarding school counseling, I truly believe that you do what you prioritize. For me, it is a struggle to balance administrative tasks with truly working with students, but if I make it my priority I can find the balance.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me