Okay, so I’ve been digging into this whole “jobs for counseling psychology masters” thing, and let me tell you, it’s been a journey. I started out feeling pretty lost, just like anyone fresh out of grad school with a shiny new degree.
Figuring Out the First Step
First, I cleaned up my resume. I mean, really cleaned it up. I got rid of all the fluff from college and focused on my internships and any relevant volunteer work I did. I even had a friend look it over to make sure it didn’t sound like a robot wrote it.
The Job Search Grind
Then came the actual job search. I hit up all the usual suspects, you know, those big job boards. I set up alerts so I’d get an email every time something new with “counseling” or “mental health” popped up.
- Checked job boards daily.
- Tailored cover letter. It takes a good amount time, but no use to send a letter directly.
- Set up job alerts, and get noti emails.
I also started networking. I’m not gonna lie, this part felt awkward at first. I reached out to some old professors, supervisors from my internships, even people I’d met at conferences. Just to chat, see if they knew of anything, get some advice. You’d be surprised how helpful people can be if you just ask.
Different Paths
I started noticing a few main paths kept popping up. There’s the licensed professional counselor (LPC) route, which is probably the most common. But you need to get those supervised hours after you graduate, which is a whole other thing.
And, you know, keep on looking for a suitable supervisor is important.
Then there are jobs in community mental health centers. These can be intense, but you get a ton of experience working with diverse populations and different issues.
I also saw some openings in schools, working with students. That’s not really my thing, but it’s an option.
There were even some research-oriented positions, which I hadn’t really considered before. Helping with studies on mental health, that kind of thing.
The Interview Hustle
After a while, I started getting some interviews. Let me tell you, preparing for those was key. I practiced answering common questions, researched the organizations, and even did a few mock interviews with friends. It felt silly at the time, but it definitely helped me feel more confident.
Still Learning
I’m still in the thick of it, to be honest. I’ve had some rejections, some promising leads, and a whole lot of “we’ll keep your resume on file” emails. But I’m learning a ton about the field, what I really want, and how to present myself. It’s definitely a process, not a sprint.
I have offer now. It is a long way, but, anyway, just do it!
