i dunno, i’ve always been into psychology since HS, reading old college texts from the '60s on up (those were pretty fucked up 
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I was going to go to UB for architecture, but after shadowing my aunt at a firm in Buffalo, decided that it was a horrible idea for me. So I got my BA in Psych instead. I always enjoyed what I was learning, and knew I’d have to go to grad school to get a decent job in what I was interested in. I liked working with people at that point, and the research assistant position I had was somewhat rewarding, so I only stuck with my BA instead of the BS.
I also nearly failed my first 2yrs at UB, because I wanted to do something with cars. Boy, I’m glad I didn’t do that. I know now that I’d hate it.
I decided to get my Ed.M. in School Counseling because while I enjoyed working with troubled teenagers 12-17 while interning/ later working at Compass House runaway shelter in Buffalo, I didn’t enjoy working with that demographic for such redonkulous pay. Nor did I feel safe at my job. However, when bad shit wasn’t happening, it was one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever, ever had.
I’ve just completed my first year at a high school just outside of Wilmington, NC as one of their three school counselors, and love what I do. I have a state job that is mandated (being a middle/ HS counselor), make decent ‘chickens’, and like Slasky said… you have a pretty good idea of your hours and LOTS of time off. Which you frequently need, as it can be stressful beyond belief at times.
I plan to go back to school in VA for my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology in 2-3yrs. For what I do and how hard I work, the NC pay scale’s a joke. I could work 30yrs and max out at 50K. I frequently stay past 5pm, just because I like to do a GOOD fucking job. The professors I had at UB never actually had school experience as counselors, and I personally want to have at least 10yrs experience before I ever think about teaching any students about any form of counseling. Between many students leaving with their Master’s & little to no exp. dealing with parents or scheduling… I think a lot about what I deal with every day and how I would teach it. The research I will eventually do can help facilitate what I do with these eventual college students.
Ok, before I get off-track:
- I found something I love, that doesn’t make a good hobby. I find the inner workings of the mind and interpersonal interaction fascinating, to say the least. I’m one of those people who don’t just say it, I mean it based on much experience- I enjoy working with kids. I found a job that blends these interests, and gives me the opportunity to advance if I so, and do, desire.