Career Roadmap
Elizabeth's work combines: Education, Non-Profit Organizations, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Child Development
Tufts University
Graduate Degree
Counseling Psychology
Boston College
Certification
Mental Health Counseling/Counselor
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: Child Development
Graduate Degree: Counseling Psychology
Certification: Mental Health Counseling/Counselor
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
When I was in high school, I wanted to be a pediatrician and took tons of science and math
2.
In college, I decided science wasn't for me, but I still wanted to do something with children. I majored in Child Development and tried out different internships.
3.
After graduating college, I couldn't decide what I wanted to do. I ended up as an assistant to the CEO of a research company where I remained for 4 years eventually becoming Research Manager.
4.
I applied to a business school in Barcelona, Spain and was accepted. I decided it wasn't my passion and didn't go.
5.
I took about a year to decide what to do next while waitressing at a restaurant. Career Services at Tufts recommended school counseling, so I decided to look into it.
6.
I applied and was accepted to the Counseling Psychology program at Boston College and loved every class that I took.
7.
After receiving my Master's, I started working at a small high school in Western Massachusetts and stayed there for three years until my son was born. I then moved to Texas to be closer to family.
8.
I started working in Little Elm 5 years ago at the high school. I moved to the alternative campus with a district support position a year ago where I get to do more counseling and train others.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You won't make any money in education and there's no room for growth
How I responded:
It is better to do something that you love, even though you might not make as much money, than to hate going to work every day so you can have a larger salary. Money doesn't create happiness in the way that enjoying your work does. I've seen so many people that are unhappy with their jobs and I'm fortunate that I look forward to seeing what each day will bring as a school counselor.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I am careful with how I spend my money and make sure that I put some of it in savings. There were times that I had to work multiple jobs at the same time. I had to be responsible with the extra income instead of spending it right away!