How to become a Residential Psych Counselor?

BA in Psych, BA in Economics and MA Org psych Degree?

• I have only 1 semester to complete my psych degree (with soc minor and counseling minor). I made this choice at the end of my 2nd year, because I just wanted to pick something that I felt was easy and also I wanted to pursue something counseling/therapist related with intentions of going to graduate school. I decided I don't want to be a therapist or a counselor. Ever since my recent internships (one with org development and the second within HR, both pretty good companies), I've realized I have a strong interest in business. Benefits, recruiting, compensation, employee relations all completely turn me off. I feel a growing interest in the more "hard" business aspects, such as business development. I also care about money, so I don't feel comfortable knowing how low I'll be making with my psych degree before I get my masters degree. Before my internships, I wanted to get a org psych degree from Columbia and become a consultant. This still interests me, and I intend on getting this degree after having a year experience in a relevant job and then go to school part time while adding up 2-3 more years of work experience under my belt. I still want to do this, but now I am thinking about getting a 2nd BA in economics and then pursuing my MA. I am also thinking of pursuing an MBA a few years after the completion of my MA, when I'm more ground in my career. Should I get this 2nd degree? I'm afraid I won't find a decent business related job with my psych degree but I'm also wondering if I'll just be wasting time getting a 2nd degree when perhaps I can still get a business related job once I start my MA degree? What are the pros AND cons? What are prospective career options with these degree?

• Answer:

  I would recommend looking for a job that will allow you to still USE your knowledge and give you a boost in making your decision. It is good to get education, but you can always go to school and work; I have seen many people who spent the extra years in college who had so much "education" that they not qualified for the career they wanted because they lacked experience. Remember, most entry-level jobs do not have high salaries, especially those in business. If you are going to get your master's, go straight for the MBA or MA in economics; otherwise, what exactly will you DO with a BA in economics? Teach? Write for a newspaper?