Finding the right career :(

So, I decided to post in general as opposed to "off-topic" because I think I'll get more responses here. If not appropriate, move to "off-topic."

<<LONG POST>>

So, yesterday (8/21), I had an interview with an Ivy League university. I participated in the first round of interviews for a course manager position for one of the university's online master's programs. The program isn't related to business nor criminal justice. However, I think the hiring manager thought I was a worthy candidate because of my experience as an online student and as a K-12 and college faculty who has taught blended and online. During the interview, one of the "top" people in this department questioned how the position aligned with my experience and education. He blatantly said he didn't see a fit and that I would have to convince him otherwise. I mean, I am passionate about criminal justice as evidenced by my education and experience (police officer, juvenile justice professional). He said he didn't doubt that I could do that job, but wanted me to articulate how this position will help me to get to my medium-term career goal. He said the position involves a lot of mundane tasks and that he didn't see me staying in the position beyond 3 years. So, he basically wanted to make sure that when people are hired for a position, it will be a stepping stone towards their ultimate career goal. So, I told him that I am passionate about online education and that I could become a dean or director for an HEI's online division. He thought that made sense and decided to move on. Anyway, he did say the position did not require me to have expertise in the content of the master's program since they have over 100 teaching assistants who are experts in the field.

However, after the interview, I started pondering a lot about finding the career I truly want. So, I really need some advice about whether I should go for another degree or how I could align myself to something that will suit me with my current education.

Experience
5 years as a police officer (home country and the U.S.)
1+ year in juvenile justice
2+ years of K-12 teaching
<1 year of college adjunct teaching

Education
B.S., M.S., and pending Ph.D. all in Criminal Justice
MBA

Passion
Helping people - particularly juvenile offenders, adult offenders, victims of crime
I have always loved to help people by using my motivational and inspiring personality to make them feel better
I have thought about becoming an LPC/LMHC/LMFT/LCSW
I like jobs that are not routine (I get bored easily)
Occasional traveling would be a plus

As I am striving to finish my Ph.D. next year, I want to align myself for the career I will truly enjoy. I don't think I want to continue in K-12 teaching nor am I passionate about teaching college full-time. Teaching in a juvenile facility school is perhaps the only K-12 teaching that I would find meaningful. I am closer to 30 than 20 and I want to find a job that I'll stick with and secure a pension. So, here are some options I am considering.

Youth Development Counselor (state job in the juvenile justice agency I previously worked)
*Bachelor's required and at least one year of experience working with delinquent youth

Psychological Services Associate (state job, unique to juvenile justice agency & adult prisons)
*Master's in Psychology or a related field with 15 graduate hours in psych, counseling, human development, social work, etc.

**I thought about doing a grad cert in psychology but I reached out to the civil service department and they said that would not suffice. I would have to have the credits within a related master's degree.

So, I contemplated pursuing Walden's M.S. in Psych. (Tempo Learning) - maybe complete in 2 subscription periods for $2,660 total ($1,300 each - 50% off the regular $2,600)

Licensed clinical professional (LPC, LMFT, etc.)
I would have to earn a master's degree in counseling (60 credits). I thought about Lamar University since it's the cheapest for out-of-state students ($18,000). However, it would take at least 30 months then I'd have to do all these practicums/internships to achieve licensure.

So, I am at a crossroads trying to decide the way forward. I know I want to be in some kind of counseling role (even if not licensed, working with adult or juvenile offenders.

That was a lot but I hope I get some good feedback.

 

Steve, I have no objections to working with faith-based organizations. I currently teach at a Catholic school and previously worked with a police department at a Catholic university. However, I equally aspire to become a six-figure earner. I want to buy a house, adopt a kid, and pay off my student debt.

 

I wish had seen this video before my interview yesterday. I would have countered the argument that the position did not align with my passion for criminal justice. I would have said something along the line of "I don't want to pursue my passion, I want to pursue an opportunity." haha. The video made me chuckle - it was both humorous and informative. Definitely something to ponder as I think about the next steps. Thanks for sharing.

 

As a coach, I stay away from giving answers. So I'm going to do that here, offering questions instead.

In fact, I posted a similar--but less detailed--question on this board a few years ago. I received very little in return...because it's your issue to tackle. Others cannot possibly know what you do about you and what you want. Better instead to settle on a direction and then ask specifics about it. Kinda like the "what degree should I pursue" question we get a lot here from new posters.

Here are some questions to consider:

1. What do you want to do everyday?
2. Where do you want to do it?
3. With whom do you want to do it?
4. What money do you want to make doing it?

Again, when coaching people on their careers, I suggest a triangle, where the three sides are Money, Work, and Location. Usually, you select one to preponderate over the other two--trying to maximize all three right out of the gate (with a career change) is pretty hard.

Now, remember George Box's axiom, "All models are wrong; some models are useful." See if either of these is useful to you.

 

Thanks, Rich. I can readily answer those four questions. So, it is rather interesting that I am having unsettling thoughts.

 

The right career that makes you are happy. Regardless of what you do, just remember the meaning of life. This is the reason why Wall Street financial analysts commit suicide. My best friend craved a career in Investment Banking, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Pennsylvania State University. Then we attended Columbia University for a second Bachelor's degree in General Studies with Political Science as a concentration because he needed a school name for his investment banking. After an additional three years as Columbia University a good amount of student loans and Post 9/11 GI Bill exhaustion. He was finally got an offer from Deutsche Bank as an Investest Banking analyst, the starting salary was good with $87,000.00 per year plus $50,000.00 to $75,000.00 annual bonus. However, he says that there is no work and life balance; sometimes he lives in the office for several days. After two years of being an investment banking financial analyst, he quit and attended Bootcamp on UX/UI design. He said he just discover this is what the want to do and really enjoy it.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

Here's a research prorgram director that might be of interest.

https://g.co/kgs/7zQaqc

It also seems like to me you might be happy working at a community college where many young adults are looking for guidance as well. I would look for staff positions like running a minority student union program. Starting at a public JC should give you good benefits at least and hopefully can be a springboard for similar postions at a four year university if you so desire later.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

I might be condemning myself for all eternity, or at least for twelve months and 29 days for whispering this...law school?

I virtually NEVER make such a suggestion but there it is. You of all people might find law to be a good fit.

 

Wow! Such an interesting recommendation since I have long considered attending law school. When I was a young police officer, a deputy commissioner of police told me that I should study law. I never seriously considered it until one of aunt kept telling me that I'm going to graduate from law school. So, one of the goals on my multi-year plan was to attend law school. However, I removed it maybe a month ago. My primary reason for wanting to attend law school is that I could represent indigent juveniles pro bono. Maybe I should study for the LSAT and apply for next year. There's a local university that offers an evening program that qualifies for the same financial assistance as the day program. I would only attend law school if I can get a full scholarship.

 

First of all, I SHOULD have said "Eleven months and twenty-nine days", that being the maximum punishment the Rabbis tell us Heaven will permit anyone to endure for our failings on earth.

Law degrees are terrifyingly expensive BUT if you do well enough on the LSAT and your UGPA is high enough, you might be able to go almost tuition-free. Because your interests lie where they do, go cheap and don't worry about law school "ranking" or "prestige". All you care about is "cheap" and "ABA accredited". Don't ignore the possibilities of an evening program.

Most people in law school are there because they don't know what else to do with their B.A. degrees and they liked watching CSI or JAG or whatever lawyer drama series is on HBO this week. That doesn't seem to be you. Real lawyers in the criminal and juvenile justice systems do much more of the kinds of things you are talking about. Far and away most of those jobs are in State government and they don't pay enough to service a quarter million in law school debt. That's why you MUST do this very cheaply if you do it at all.

Now I know how the serpent felt in the Garden of Eden. Hissss.

 

Full disclosure: I finished a VERY cheap J.D. and got admitted to the Bar in 1986. My career has been entirely in State government doing the sorts of things you say you want to do. I've ended up, however, as a State Magistrate Judge, a fate I would wish on very few.

Hisssss.....

 

A judge? That sounds fun. In my state, you can become a magisterial district judge without going to law school. One of my former sergeants is now a magistrate. I don't think I'll pursue any further study for at least the next decade, including law school. I remember that I made a note on the law school goal that it would take the "backbench" because my son would come first. By 2022, I hope to become a single parent of a son. I want him to have my undivided attention. So, once I finish my Ph.D., I won't study again. I've studied with a few small breaks since 2011. I am done lol Time to start a family with my kid (to be) and find more value/purpose in life beyond school.

 

Here in New Mexico, Magistrate Judges do not need to be attorneys except in counties with a population over 200,000 when you do need to be a lawyer. My county is over that limit.