Some of you are familiar with my story but I went back to become an addictions counselor and later found out the money was bad, but I managed to get an internship in a good place. However, this place is cutting down to part time due to budgets. So I'm trying to figure out my next move. I already have another master's, in communications, and am also working on an online teaching certificate that fits with my degree. However, I am thinking of going for another degree because the jobs that I could get with my new masters are garbage. I wanted into the advanced program but was rejected because they didn't like that I refuse to go into the bad areas (areas where people are killed everyday).

Anyway, here are a couple of ideas. Keep in mind I received a full scholarship so this is all dependent on scholarships.

1. The other counseling program. This one will get me the LPC I may need in the future, but the con is I would receive a THIRD master's and not sure about that.

2. Social work. I will then be licensed but once again a third master's.

3. A doctorate. I was leaning towards this but the problem is lots of time devoted to it. If I could do it part time I would but don't see a lot of part time programs. However, what would I get a Ph.D in? I could get one in instructional design or communications but would that be profitable? If I get one in counseling is this a good idea? If I went for the counseling masters I could then go for the doctorate one at the same school nearby but it's a Ed.D which I hear isn't as good.

4. Go back to my former fields such as marketing an instructional design. It's partly why I am doing the online teaching program to make me more profitable in that but there are more people than jobs.

What is instructional design?

Instructional design basically deals with developing training programs, whether it's for a class or a training program at a job or something like that. At my former employer I created an accounting program and a software skills program.

Instructional design basically deals with developing training programs, whether it's for a class or a training program at a job or something like that. At my former employer I created an accounting program and a software skills program.

That does not sound like steady long-term employment. Do something with communications instead.

Believe it or not, it can be very stable, especially if I can get a job teaching. I'm doing the online teaching which will help me with a job I think. I'm also going to apply to several doctorate counseling programs (I found several online ones).

I graduated with a worthless degree too (English) and it's either a teacher or Lawyer. But now I'm a digital marketer. Just took a few short courses and now it's making me more money than a teacher ever will.

Yeah that's why I'm doing the online teaching degree, it can make a difference. I'm thinking of something like an addictions educator.

Fear of a degree being worthless. This is the same reason I never bothered going to college (aside from forgetting to take the SAT/ACT exam).

The truth is, I couldn't decide on a college major, nor could I decide on a career.

I don't think any degree per se is worthless, though some are more lucrative than others. We can't all be spivs or speculators who caused the crash of 2008. My only gripe with you here is rejecting working in the bad neighbourhoods when it might get you a foot in the door of the career you want.

I don't think any degree per se is worthless, though some are more lucrative than others. We can't all be spivs or speculators who caused the crash of 2008. My only gripe with you here is rejecting working in the bad neighbourhoods when it might get you a foot in the door of the career you want.

First off, these bad areas are VERY dangerous and people are constantly getting shot. Second, the money to risk getting shot or worse is worse than many low level job. Third, I don't want a job making minimum or slightly above and risking my life for ungrateful trash. This is why I am doing teaching, I prefer that.

First off, these bad areas are VERY dangerous and people are constantly getting shot. Second, the money to risk getting shot or worse is worse than many low level job. Third, I don't want a job making minimum or slightly above and risking my life for ungrateful trash. This is why I am doing teaching, I prefer that.
You know one shocking indictment of the Obama Presidency was his legacy with these neighbourhoods, which was part of his attraction as a candidate in the first place as he sold himself as a community worker in Chicago, when in fact nothing has been done to help the people involved and those caught in the crossfire of crime.

You know one shocking indictment of the Obama Presidency was his legacy with these neighbourhoods, which was part of his attraction as a candidate in the first place as he sold himself as a community worker in Chicago, when in fact nothing has been done to help the people involved and those caught in the crossfire of crime.

Not sure what that has to do with me. Obama lived in Hyde Park, which is a nicer area. Honestly, I don't care about the people in these areas, most refuse to better themselves and want others to support them.

Not sure what that has to do with me. Obama lived in Hyde Park, which is a nicer area. Honestly, I don't care about the people in these areas, most refuse to better themselves and want others to support them.
Well as a Christian I should care about everyone. I don't know whether people have compartmentalized these areas and abandoned the black neighbourhoods, or whether this is not primarily a race issue. We have the same problem in London now with black on black drug crime, which is fast emcroaching on the multi-million pound housing areas. Maybe there is a role for strengthening the churches? I don't see Trump fulfilling any of his promises yet in dealing with this.

Well as a Christian I should care about everyone. I don't know whether people have compartmentalized these areas and abandoned the black neighbourhoods, or whether this is not primarily a race issue. We have the same problem in London now with black on black drug crime, which is fast emcroaching on the multi-million pound housing areas. Maybe there is a role for strengthening the churches? I don't see Trump fulfilling any of his promises yet in dealing with this.

Can't care for people who don't care for themselves. I'm not sure if you have heard of Chicago's south side but depending on the area it's very bad and people are shot everyday. When I started this program I never had any intention of working in these areas, just for groups like veterans.

It doesn't seem as though the degree is worthless. You've been offered jobs, but say you've turned them down because they would be in bad neighborhoods, or would have to work weekends. I can't imagine doing social work only in good neighborhoods (what's the point?), and most people starting their careers are going to have to start at the bottom: nights, weekends, holidays, whatever.

It doesn't seem as though the degree is worthless. You've been offered jobs, but say you've turned them down because they would be in bad neighborhoods, or would have to work weekends. I can't imagine doing social work only in good neighborhoods (what's the point?), and most people starting their careers are going to have to start at the bottom: nights, weekends, holidays, whatever.

It's a counseling degree but even so, there is no purpose in making barely above minimum wage and a high chance of accident or death. I'm not sure if people aren't getting it or what but the south side of Chicago is VERY dangerous. No one with half a brain would take a job making low wages in areas where they are likely to get shot. I'm not "starting" a career, this is my second degree and I have no inclination to get shot or robbed (or raped or murdered). No, not everyone starts by working holidays and weekends/nights, especially if it's a job they never wanted. I never wanted this degree, I wanted another degree completely.

I'm not sure why people aren't getting that I don't want to work in high crime areas, especially for low wages. I didn't go for this degree because of that, I wanted to work in military.

No one with half a brain would take a job making low wages in areas where they are likely to get shot.

Many people do work in poor neighborhoods, actually, because they love what they do. But you obviously have decided not to risk it. That's absolutely your right, but why call your degree "worthless" if it has nothing to do with your decision to only accept certain jobs? Jobs that pay well, aren't in bad neighborhoods, don't require any weekends or night hours, etc.


I'm not "starting" a career, this is my second degree and I have no inclination to get shot or robbed (or raped or murdered). No, not everyone starts by working holidays and weekends/nights, especially if it's a job they never wanted. I never wanted this degree, I wanted another degree completely.

Why did you complete a degree in a field you have no interest in?

You say you're not "starting" your career, but what full-time jobs in this area did you have before this?


I'm not sure why people aren't getting that I don't want to work in high crime areas,

No, I understood that you don't want to work in high crime areas because you've mentioned several times in this thread and others that you don't want to work in high crime areas. I think it was very clear. What I don't understand is why you would get a degree in counseling if you have no interest in counseling poor people. I suppose there is some need for counseling the rich and famous in LA, but there aren't that many stars in the Chicagoland area.

I didn't go for this degree because of that, I wanted to work in military.

Oh! Now that'd be a very worthwhile area! Counseling military vets would be an AMAZING calling. God bless you! I guess you applied for jobs on the military websites?

Just to clarify a few things, since I posted this I have reached midpoint on my teaching certificate and am planning on other teaching certificates that I can do online. I received various grants to do this. Second, to answer the question why did I do this, I planned on going for the advanced degree but the professor wouldn't allow me because I only wanted to work with the military or Christian groups and she is very anti military and very anti Christian (she is Indian). I never wanted this degree, I wanted the other one but to reach that I had to finish this first. Finally, for anyone telling me to work in high crime areas, not happening so stop telling me to do so. There are all kinds of jobs not in these areas, and all pay better. My previous career was marketing, instructional design and broadcasting relayed jobs and plan to return to one of these. Also, once I found out the professor was a SJW I didn't want to finish but my dad asked me to do so (I received a full scholarship).

Just to clarify a few things, since I posted this I have reached midpoint on my teaching certificate and am planning on other teaching certificates that I can do online. I received various grants to do this. Second, to answer the question why did I do this, I planned on going for the advanced degree but the professor wouldn't allow me because I only wanted to work with the military or Christian groups and she is very anti military and very anti Christian (she is Indian). I never wanted this degree, I wanted the other one but to reach that I had to finish this first. Finally, for anyone telling me to work in high crime areas, not happening so stop telling me to do so. There are all kinds of jobs not in these areas, and all pay better. My previous career was marketing, instructional design and broadcasting relayed jobs and plan to return to one of these. Also, once I found out the professor was a SJW I didn't want to finish but my dad asked me to do so (I received a full scholarship).

Nobody is ordering you to do anything; we just want the best for you. A few general points: crime can occur anytime anywhere, so always best to make arrangements to travel with a group if possible. Secondly it's far easier to get a job once you're in work, and thirdly studying can be exhausting as I'm sure you and others have discovered, and there's a time to study and a time to get paid employment and maybe get paid for training on the job.

Nobody is ordering you to do anything; we just want the best for you. A few general points: crime can occur anytime anywhere, so always best to make arrangements to travel with a group if possible. Secondly it's far easier to get a job once you're in work, and thirdly studying can be exhausting as I'm sure you and others have discovered, and there's a time to study and a time to get paid employment and maybe get paid for training on the job.

Yes crime can occur anywhere but these are very bad areas full of losers who are gang members. Chicago is one of the most dangerous areas. I just finished my internship so am seeking a job but with my skills it will not be hard. No, people don't want the best for me, many people don't get how dangerous these areas are. I have been offered a writing job, which I will take if I don't find anything else and a new counseling center just opened 15 minutes from me in a good area paying a decent wage. There is NO reason for me to take a low paying trashy job.