Hola everyone!
So this week has been a busy academic one for me. The course material is interesting, but it's been a lot of work. One of my teachers is very interactive with us students and I LOVE that class... it is really fun and I get to do some analysis and critical thinking on sociological topics. The other one is straight-up pissing me off b/c the teacher is virtually a non-player. There's 13 of us in the class and only 3 of us seem to be completing discussion postings and turning our stuff in on time. It's a lot of neurology and I suck at science, so it's a HUGE amount of work to get the concepts into my brain...grrr.

So this got me thinking.

I decided to ask you guys who read my postings in the forums or on here to chime in with some feedback if you feel inclined to do so. I've been ping-ponging around about what facet of psychology I should move onto for graduate studies. Just a little background if you aren't familiar with my journey.... was in the military for 22 years and retired in 2009. Now I am back in school finishing up a BS in Liberal Arts (quickest degree to finish due to my military credits) and this fall and winter finishing up a few more classes for a second Bachelors in Psychology so I can go into a Master's program next fall in Psychology (or at least that's my intent). Now, my original plan was to finish the first Bachelors and go into a Social Work program but found that the schools are a bit harder to find (I want to keep options open so that I'm not locked into staying in my current location until I finish my Masters... wanna be able to move around if I need to and transfer credits). Only reason I'm doing the second Bachelors is that Psychology graduate programs are EVERYWHERE, so transfering wouldn't be a problem if I moved.

So here's where I'm asking for your input..... for those of you that have read my postings and have a feel for "me," if you will. What aspect of Psychology do you think would maybe be a good fit for me? Now, I'm not asking for feel-good postings that tell me I'm smart... not fishing for compliments here...no no no. I'm asking for input because while I may think I'm good at this or that, we can many times see in others things they don't see themselves. I'm at a crossroads in my education where I need to decide what facet of psychology to move into, as that will determine the field I end up working in. Psychology is my passion... love it love it love it. Now, I totally suck at math and science (at least I find it very difficult; I get B's, not A's...lol) so Psychologist is not in the cards, and I know that. I am type-A, analytical, attentive to detail, pretty perceptive, compassionate, and so on (well, at least in my mind, I'm all that...lol). LOVE criminal profiling shows (yes, I know tv is not real life) and forensic psychology... but don't know what studies (or brains) that requires. Have considered counseling since I have an extensive background in military counseling and communications... but also know that patience is not one of my strong suits, so I fear I'll get frustrated with clients if I don't see forward movement, and realistically know that a counselor's job is facilitation, not being a springboard to action... so I'm hesitant about that area.

I know there's quite a few of you out there who have worked or do work in social sciences and/or psychology fields, so I was interested in your thoughts.

Any/all comments are welcomed. Just curious as to any observations of me or career paths you're aware of that I might consider as I make my way along my educational path.

Hugs to you all!!!
-Koshka

Hi Koshka,
I agree with you with the general clinical psychology / counselling. You don't suffer fools gladly and you wouldn't go well hearing people bitch about benign stuff as if was the end of the world and refusing to make the changes they needed to make their lives better. That would be torture for you . (And you could tend to be tempted to be a bull in a china shop ,like I am, in that situation haha). One clinical modality I think you would be fantastic in though would be Dialectical Behavioural Therapy. The way I see it, you have the balance between compassion & support on one hand and kicking someone up the butt, guidance, encouragement and telling them how it is on the other hand - pretty much just about right, which would make you brilliant at that therapy. You would be working with highly traumatised people and I think you have the ability to bring skills and healing to help with deep trauma. Us borderlines can be infuriating though but DBT is a great vehicle to manage people with bpd. As your friend, I think it would be nice if you tried NOT to take a leadership position, so that you took some time out of the extra responsibility and could enjoy the sidelines a bit more. (I don't know if that is just my stuff being a born leader myself and trying to chill a bit).
You'll hate me saying this, but I'd love to see you working in a woman's community organisation of some sort... possibly running groups, so you get psychology/socialwork/groupfacilitation skills all utilised. I have a sense the you learnt not to embrace being a little girl because of your dad's behaviour. You had to be very strong to endure an intense, aggressive environment. The loyalty and friendship that can exist amongst woman can be wonderful. It may be too far out of your comfort zone and that's okay. I'm just wanted to burst open the parameters of what you might consider, for you. Outside of that community development is a wonderful way of making strong positive social changes by liaising with government officials, politicians, service delivery organisations, client groups, acaedemics etc etc etc. You have the capacity to relate to various stakeholders and bring important social projects though to completion, acquittal and review. Have I turned on any light bulbs? I really hope I have, because you are powerhouse with so much ability. As your friend, I'd love you to find your niche, where you aren't draining yourself but you are fulfilling your needs for accomplishment. Really support you in whatever career decision you make. Hugs x

Whoa! AWESOME feedback! You DEF turned on some lightbulbs. Gave me some great ideas to look into. Community support sounds very much akin to some of the stuff I had to do in the military... coordinating with various agencies and such... mmm... not my cup o tea (it'd prob trigger the HELL outta me). And no... no more leadership roles for me... no no no. I'm fine being "just an indian" for the rest of my life. Very interesting note on the women's group idea. I need to elaborate on that in ref to our PMs about me stinking at interaction with women... I actually decided that wasn't the case and there's, I think, a better quantification of the real issue. Thanks for taking the time to give me so much info, luv! And you've gotten to know me enough to steer me away from ideas that'd likely result in nuclear war...lol.

Hugs, babe