Torn between programs

[joyasaurus_rex]

Hi there! So right now I'm trying to decide between two programs without any consideration of finances (not yet, anyway!). I applied to Higher Education programs, and I've gotten acceptances from most of my schools; though I'm still waiting on one more school, I'm pretty much ready to make my decision. So now, I'm trying to deliberate between a

Comments

[roseofjuly]

I work as a paraprofessional in student affairs (a graduate hall director in residence life) and we just hired a new associate director to be my direct supervisor, and her master's is in mental health counseling. She's currently in the midst of another master's in higher education at the education school affiliated with my university, but she got the job over the other two top candidates with already completed degrees in higher education. She also had a background in both counseling college students and student affairs (a position just like this one).

So at least from one anecdote there's a definite chance to parlay that counseling degree into student affairs work if you are willing, and on that note, I would say the counseling degree is more flexible - especially if your concentration is in college student development and if you get some student affairs experience along the way. Northwestern has a job like mine where you work 20 hours a week supervising resident assistants and doing administrative tasks to support residence life

[joyasaurus_rex]

Wow, thank you for the speedy response (and I remember you from last time, so thank you for that as well!). I'm leaning more towards Northwestern since, at this young age (22; I'm a baby), feeling like I have more geographical options excites me more than career ones. One of my main apprehensions is that the DePaul name isn't powerful enough to go beyond Chicago/the Midwest

[srslysarahcee]

If you're going into student affairs, I'd get the Counseling degree. As someone who is currently employed in the field, and currently job searching in the student affairs field, most requirements for jobs typically list: Master's in Higher Education, Student Development, Counseling, or related field. They'll often just list "Master's required". In addition to being an extremely employable candidate in Student Affairs administration, you'd be able to find jobs as a college-type counselor, since you'd likely be licensed as such.

My suggestion to you is to look on HigherEdJobs.com and find a few jobs that you'd think you would apply to after you get your degree, and see what their requirements are.

Ultimately, I'd wait to see what kind of funding (if any) you get before going forward as that should be considered as well.

[joyasaurus_rex]

Hi there! I wanted to wait till I was done previewing Northwestern before I responded to this.

The degree from DePaul is pretty much strictly a counseling degree; would this inhibit working in student affairs and narrow it down to mostly career counseling or working within a counseling center? That's what I'm sort of afraid of in pursuing that degree.

Also, would you be comfortable discussing how the job search is going for you? Like, does it matter much where you got the degree, where you got it, etc.? Or does it rely mostly upon practical experience? My other worry of the counseling degree is that the degree does not require/expect students to work necessarily within student affairs; practicum seems mostly centered on counseling. And is your degree also in counseling then, too?

I appreciate the tip on looking up information via HEJ!!! :)

[counselingm]

Don't give up on your dream of being a counselor just because you are getting better "vibes" from another place. It sounds like you really want to be a counselor, so do all you can to achieve that goal, even if you have to put up with some frustrating people.
If you're really worried about your options with the masters in counseling, do some research. When I was going through a similar dilemma, I found this site http://www.mastersincounseling.org/, and it really helped me figure out what I wanted to do.
I really hope this helps. Good Luck!

[joyasaurus_rex]

I've actually seen that site and the BLS one, but thanks! But, to be honest, counseling isn't necessarily my dream job; otherwise, I'd just have applied to all counseling programs. But I do really want to work within the college environment; however, I've read on different forums that school counseling programs can be limiting in where you can practice, which is why I was inquiring about flexibility.

I think when I wrote this (which, wow, was two weeks ago), I had a greater interest in counseling than I do now. The counseling program that is most suitable to what I want to do hasn't really given me much to work off of (I've emailed them numerous times with pretty simple questions over the last couple weeks, but haven't gotten a reply back; I find it valuable to like where you're going), and I really enjoyed my visit to Northwestern, so I'm pretty set on going to NU. I'm going to probably use my extra electives to take more counseling classes so I'll be more qualified to also work in career counseling.

Thanks for your comment!

[anonymous]

Hi joyasourus rex!

I currently find myself in the same situation as you were in. I'm applying to the M.S. in Higher Ed at Northwestern, along with the M.Ed. in Counseling - College Student Development at DePaul. Although I haven't actually applied to either yet, I'm starting to think about which program may be the right choice, if I am accepted to both. Which one did you end up going with? How are you enjoying that program? Do you have any advice/recommendations? Any insight will be much appreciated.

Thank you!
Lauren

[joyasaurus_rex]

Hi Lauren

[eckielauren]

Hi joyasaurus rex,

Thank you so much for your insight (and sorry for the delayed reply). I have applied to both programs and so far, have been accepted to Northwestern. I'm so excited, and I'm fairly certain I will be choosing Northwestern. Although career counseling and academic advising interests me, I am also very interested in all kinds of work within student affairs and higher ed, and I believe Northwestern is better equipped for that. It's also an excellent school and great name. :) Thanks so much for your advice - it was very helpful!

-Lauren

[joyasaurus_rex]

Hi Lauren,

Congrats! That's great to hear! And it's totally fine that you didn't answer till now haha :) If you end up here in Evanston next year, let me know and I'll be happy to help you out with anything! I'm finishing next year so I can get experience in different offices, so I'll probably see you around at some point. Happy to help with any questions regarding NU, whether it be the program, the university, or student life!

- Joy