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+--- Thread: Please help me talk some sense into my sister! (/Thread-Please-help-me-talk-some-sense-into-my-sister)
Please help me talk some sense into my sister! - sanantone - 05-27-2014
When my younger sister started school 4 years ago, I warned her about the job prospects for psychology majors. First, she said she wanted to become a clinical psychologist. Well, that's great because there is a lot of growth in the mental health field. Then, she said she was going to do the pre-med track and become a psychiatrist. Well, that's even better. It turns out she never started the pre-med track. She just has a plain degree in psychology and doesn't want to work in social services or the criminal justice field. She just eliminated 90% of her job opportunities. Apparently, she doesn't have a passion for anything. Currently, human resources is the most appealing to her because it's "tolerable." She knows that it's going to be difficult for her to get into the field without a degree in human resources or business. She only took one I/O psychology course and didn't complete any internships.
She's been at the same employer for about 4 or 5 years, but she's only a low-level supervisor making about $11 per hour. Her other work experience was at a fast food restaurant. She's applied at insurance companies since they don't really care about majors, but no one has called her for an interview. Now, she's telling me that she's just going to get another degree, but doesn't want to go to graduate school. I know that an MBA or masters in human resources would be a bad idea for someone without related experience, but I think getting a second bachelors is a horrible idea, especially if it's going to be in business. She could cheaply test out of another degree at TESC, but she's never been open to testing out. I just think it would be stupid of her to take out more student loans for a second bachelor's, and she turn down all of my ideas for certifications.
Please help me talk some sense into my sister! - bricabrac - 05-27-2014
I learned a lesson in dealing with younger siblings...sometimes you just have to let them walk their own path.
Motto: Live, Learn, Let Live and be a strong shoulder down the line when they wake up!
Please help me talk some sense into my sister! - bbme1227 - 05-27-2014
I am someone with a BS in Psychology who has learned the field for that degree is very limited. I am working on a masters degree in Education. I am sorry, but I think the absolute worst thing your sister could do is to head your advice. While your advice may be well meaning, I also understand the path your sister is likely on. I've spent the last 10 years in a dead in job with my Psych degree. Family & friends urged me to go for my masters or other Psychology fields that I really didn't have a passion for. The worst decision I could have ever made was to listen to them. I am sure you are well meaning and care about your sister. But, what she is trying to decide is a path that she will live out for many years to come. I initally began this journey back to school to obtain a second undergrad, it was along that journey I discovered the opportunity and passion for the field I am currently going on. Please, don't tell your sister what to do, let her find her passion and support her as she tries to find it. Take it from someone who has been in those shoes, it is frightening and after so many years, you don't want to get into another program that lands you in a field you don't really care for.
Please help me talk some sense into my sister! - sanantone - 05-27-2014
bricabrac Wrote:I learned a lesson in dealing with younger siblings...sometimes you just have to let them walk their own path.
Motto: Live, Learn, Let Live and be a strong shoulder down the line when they wake up!
Yeah, I'm probably just going to let her fail.
bbme1227 Wrote:Take it from someone who has been in those shoes, it is frightening and after so many years, you don't want to get into another program that lands you in a field you don't really care for.
But, that's exactly what she did and what she's going to do again! I'm not the one who told her to get a degree in psychology. She did that all on her own. If she would have listened to me, she would have majored in something else instead of a field she has no passion for.
Please help me talk some sense into my sister! - bluebooger - 05-27-2014
would your sister be interested in teaching English as Second Language ?
this is one of the most reputable sites for information on teaching ESL
Job Discussion Forums :: Index
Dave's ESL Cafe International Job Board - International Job Board
The ESL Job Center
they have lots of people with knowledge of teaching ESL in Japan, Korea, China, Africa, South America, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Spain
they don't supply jobs, they are not a job broker
they are just people who have done ESL and comment on it
(of course some schools and job brokers post on the job board)
of course there are other sites
https://www.google.com/search?q=teach+esl+abroad
Teach Abroad - Reviews of English Teaching Jobs Abroad
but I don't know know anything about them
I do know that a teaching degree is not required.
Any degree will do (a CELTA certificate is nice to have though CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) | Cambridge English )
Going abroad, traveling, teaching children might be something she'd be interested in.
Pay obviously isn't great, but housing or a housing stipend is usually included in the salary)
And maybe the experience will help motivate her or at least be something interesting she can put on her resume for her next insurance company application.
Please help me talk some sense into my sister! - sanantone - 05-27-2014
I'll mention it to her. She considered joining the military, so I guess she has no problem with traveling. The problem is that her fiance just started school in a campus program.
Please help me talk some sense into my sister! - NAP - 05-27-2014
As the disappointing younger sibling at my house, this thread makes me wonder how often I have been the subject of the same conversation. My problem is not a lack of passion, though. I had to laugh at another comment about taking more than a decade to finish a college degree, since technically, I was a college freshman for at least that long.
I agree with you that spending more money and effort on passionless college credits does not sound like a good idea right now. Has she ever taken the time to find her passion?
When she was 9, what did she want to grow up to be? That seems to be an age when a lot of us know our innerselves pretty well.
Barbara Sher has written several great books about finding your passions and the best ways to pursue them (hobby vs career). If your sister is worried about having to choose just one passion for the rest of her life, try the book called "Refuse to Choose".
Barbara Sher: Quotes, Bibliography, Other Projects, and a List of Books by Author Barbara Sher
What about taking some fun hobby-type classes as a way to celebrate all that she has accomplished already and get in touch with that happy feeling that she is seeking in her career choice, too?
Maybe some online quizzes will help her find some different options to consider. Follow that with some conversations with people in the various fields that interest her.
I had a very general idea of a career that interests me. When I spoke to a person in the field, he told me the concept is called "biostatistics". With just a quick google search, I found the graduate degree program I want. (Just as an example, she would have only needed a few prerequisites and not an entirely new degree to qualify for it.) He also suggested another person to contact about this choice.
Since I haven't read it, I'm not sure if this is on-topic. Several times, Cookderosa has mentioned a book called "What Color is Your Parachute?" It might be worth a look, too.
I hope she finds what she is looking for. I know that it can be a very scary time to not be happy right now and not have a clear idea what you want for the future either.
Please help me talk some sense into my sister! - sanantone - 05-27-2014
NAP Wrote:Since I haven't read it, I'm not sure if this is on-topic. Several times, Cookderosa has mentioned a book called "What Color is Your Parachute?" It might be worth a look, too.
I bought her this as a graduation gift. The only career interest test I could get her to take was the Dewey Color System...Code or whatever it's called; but, it only gives you the bottom 25 results for free. You have to pay $20 for the top 25. I offered to pay... Oh, and I think she took a Myer-Briggs test that said she was an introvert. She's really serious when she says she doesn't have a passion for anything. I know what her passion is, but it's not something that will likely lead to a career. She loves to sing. As a child and teenager, she mentioned wanting to become a mortician because Angelina Jolie wanted to become a mortician, an obstetrician because they make a lot of money, an actor, and a child psychologist because creepy children are cool. Is there an emoticon for "shaking my head?" The ironic thing is that she finished college in 4 years right after graduating from high school. I took a year off and finished my bachelor's in 7 years. hilarious Interestingly enough, I think my time hopping from job to job helped me find my passion. I would have never thought about going into the criminal justice field if it weren't for me taking that security job when I was laid off.
Please help me talk some sense into my sister! - scorched - 05-27-2014
I can attest to psychology in all business or sales.
The CEO I loved the best, had a psych background, I always felt he knew me better than I knew myself.
Plus I use myers-briggs and herrmann brain dominance, as well as other psych association in my job. I think of the ideas, but make the customer think that they thought them.
Next thing my sales guy knows, a PO comes in.
Your sister has this basis better than me with a full slew of psych classes versus my 2.
I would encourage the MBA for sure, or just a few business classes and 1 or 2 simple technology classes.
Some Job ideas:
United States UX Jobs - User Experience Research & Strategy Lead at Monsanto
https://sjobs.brassring.com/EN/asp/tg/cim_jobdetail.asp?jobId=1775035&partnerid=119&SiteId=69&type=search&JobReqLang=1&recordstart=1&codes=INDD
https://sjobs.brassring.com/tgwebhost/jobdetails.aspx?partnerid=25409&siteid=5492&jobid=1081663&CODES=JASEIND
Also think of fun ones like this..
Shoppers experience!
https://sonypictures.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=CUL00002141
Or using psychology in advertising?
The combination of psychology with a few stats classes could go a really long way in this "Big Data" world!
Please help me talk some sense into my sister! - Lindagerr - 05-27-2014
Does your sister have any idea what she wants to do?
A GOOD career aptitude test is a start. I know I took one my Psychologist gave me I think it was missouri but I can't find it now. It was a lot of questions about best subjects and interest I don't remember what else. This site has some good info 5 Best Career Aptitude Tests to Help You Find the Perfect Job - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
For me the test was a Long time ago about 8 years the funny thing is it told me I should teach or work with children at the time I was sure I wanted to stay in science but wasn't sure what area. I went back to school after the test thinking I would use the degree to help me get a better lab job. I only started subbing as a way to make some money while finishing my BA. Once I started I realized the test was right I wanted to work in education. So a test like this may give her a better direction to head in so she doesn't waste more time on a degree that does nothing for her.
Does your sister live on her own and pay her own bills? Is she paying back her student loans? If she is considering marriage has she thought about the added burden of more student loans?
I know it is hard or impossible to talk someone (especially a close family member) into something they don't want to hear, but sometimes all you can do is ask them the right questions to make sure they are considering all of the pros and cons then let them make their own choice. Just don't feel bad if she completely ignores you just know you did your best to help her and let her be adult enough to live with her decision.
I have tried to convince my own son and daughter to do educational things they don't want to hear, now I just hope they will be ready to really listen someday.