Feedback from Guidance Counsellors / Anyone who has retrained in this area
Hello all - thanks in advance for anyone who can share experiences. I'm looking to hear from anyone who works as a Guidance Counsellor in second-level schools in Ireland - whether public or private. Particularly those who may have retrained in this area (had a career prior, went back to do a Masters and then moved into it). How do you find it? Can you manage to find a role (whether full-time or part-time) where you don't have to teach a subject? Would you recommend the move?
I'm researching and contemplating a move into this area. Currently I'm self employed working in L&D, in my late 30s, 3 kids (all primary school) and thinking about moving into this area through doing 2 Masters (yes really!). Firstly the Masters in Education - I have a BA but not in Education so need this to work in second level, then followed by the Masters/PGDip in DCU in Guidance Counselling. So it would take me two years (ish!). A big move financially yes and also from the time perspective. Hence why I'm looking for info here 😄 I don't necessarily want to teach (one of my parents was and it definitely was not a career I considered) but I would like to use some of the career development work I already do with a different type of group (teenagers) and then also the scheduling - school calendar is definitely something that would appeal to me from a family front. But I may be completely looking at it with rose-tinted glasses. Any insights/experiences you can share would be very much welcomed - whatever they are.