retraining as a psychologist

pettelly

My OH has an MA in the humanities. While he was studying and for a while afterwards, he worked in a children's home as a counsellor, working with the children once they were back from school in the evenings and weekends and he did extremely well there as he had a great rapport with the children as well as the parents, professionals (such as teachers, social workers and psychologists) and the support staff.

He left because we went abroad for a few years for my career and he took some time out to care for the children - the little one is about to start full-time nursery in September.

His real passion in life is history and for the last couple of years he has been looking for work. Nothing has really happened. Most jobs he applies for he doesn't even get interviews. He does some freelance teaching which pays nicely but only for about 10 hours a week and with no job security or career progression.

Soooo, we've been thinking that he could retrain as a psychologist. He's got the inter-personal ability to relate to many different people including those with severe behavioural and emotional issues, such as in the children's home and the intellectual ability to absorb plenty of information. He's also the type of person who enjoys helping other people.

The thing is that it's a long haul. He'll have to do a graduate conversion degree for a year followed by post-graduate training of at least a year to become a qualified psychologist. He's kind of nervous about it but I think it's worth it if the market's there at the end of the training. The opportunity cost of the training is minimal since he's not working anyway (and we're not entitled to any benefits due to my income) and we won't have additional childcare costs. We should be able to get the tuition costs together although may need to borrow some.

Has anyone been through this? Is this too risky? Does anyone know how competitive it is or what the job prospects are? Should you give up your dream (to work in a history related job) to do something more practical?

Thanks!!

Oldernotwiser

Why a psychologist rather than a counsellor?

Jaxb_2

The chances of getting a job in psychology are very limited as there is a glut of psychology graduates as it is seen as an 'easy' university degree.

Would he consider Social Work, more job opportunities and still able to help other people?

pettelly

Absolutely not a social worker. He's worked closely with social workers and knows it's not for him. I think he'd find that work too emotionally draining.

SarEl

pettelly wrote: »

Absolutely not a social worker. He's worked closely with social workers and knows it's not for him. I think he'd find that work too emotionally draining.

In that case - what about teaching? Shorter training to qualification (only a year) and there are always going to be jobs in teaching. Good holidays (so holiday child-care is easy). And he could indulge his passion for history by doing history and something else as his main subjects. The skills in working with difficult children will come in useful, his interest in psychology and counselling too. And with a teaching qualification and some experience under his belt there are opportunities to specialise or go into other aspects of education.

pettelly

Aaah SarEl, that's an excellent point and a conversation we've had many times. Teaching would be a natural career choice for him given his experience and subject area. However, he refuses, point blank, to consider it. He says it would make him miserable to have to teach an indisciplined class of children who don't want to be there. He'd definitely enjoy adult teaching, which is what he does now, but the career choices are limited.

SarEl

pettelly wrote: »

Aaah SarEl, that's an excellent point and a conversation we've had many times. Teaching would be a natural career choice for him given his experience and subject area. However, he refuses, point blank, to consider it. He says it would make him miserable to have to teach an indisciplined class of children who don't want to be there. He'd definitely enjoy adult teaching, which is what he does now, but the career choices are limited.

Hmm - I hate to be the fly in the ointment here. But does he want a job? Really? Or is this you pushing and him thinking up things that will "not be a job" - like being a student again? After being out of work for so long for all sorts of reasons it can become a habit, and the odd bit of part-time work can just be a diversion, not an aspiration! Don't get me wrong - I don't think it's a problem if you can afford it and you aren't expecting the taxpayer to foot the bill - which you clearly aren't. There's plenty of women who end up in this position - and less than willingly at times too. So I see no reason why he shouldn't be a house husband if you both think that fine.

But as for his objections to teaching - lack of discipline in a class is down to the ethos of the school and the teacher. Many schools are not like this, and many classes in schools aren't either. Children don't always know what is good for them (so whether they want to be there or not isn't relevant - they need to be there) and an engaging teacher who can inspire them to learn through passion and leadership is worth their weight in gold. And every single child you inspire is a legacy - you have made a difference to somebody's life that they will live with and take on into the future. I had many great teachers at school who inspired me and supported me to do the impossible (or the seemingly impossible). Most of them are probably dead by now - but I still recall them fondly (even Mr Ramsey from Physics, who scared the hell out of me and everyone else - I didn't dare fail Physics - my worst subject - because he told me I wasn't to!). Now that is, at least in my opinion, something worth having!

Bargin_bunny_2

I think it depends on the field of psychology he wants to go in to. If he wants to train as a Clinical Psychologist or Counselling Psychologist these both require a 3 year doctorate.
Clinical psychology is extreamly competitive http://www.leeds.ac.uk/chpccp/ this site will give you more information about the requirements its really not an easy option.
I agree with oldernotwiser it would make more sence to follow a counselling route if he already has this experience. This site should give you some more information about accreditation www.bacp.co.uk.
If he has teaching experience he could go down the educational psychology route but i think this is also a three year course.
What level of counselling has has he gained?
If you want to know anything about becoming a Psychologist you need to be looking on the British Psychology Society site. http://www.bps.org.uk/careers/careers-in-psychology---change-of-career/careers-in-psychology---change-of-career_home.cfm

pettelly

SarEl - Actually I'm the one who's gung-ho for psychology! He's a bit more hesitant because of all the study. He'd also have to work to get more experience because the post-grad training can be competitive. But you're right - it easy to get into a rut of not working and, of course, there's absolutely nothing wrong with being a house-husband but it's not what he wants in the long term.

I totally agree with you about teaching and we do sometimes go back to the idea - but he's deadset against it and says he'd be unhappy doing it. It's crazy because he's great with kids, very confident and loves history and loves teaching adults. *sigh*

pettelly

Bargain_bunny

Thanks for that. We were thinking forensic psych because there's supposed to be the most demand in that area and it's a one year MA. But if he could get on to a clinical programme, then that'd be fab - but we're aware it's super competitive.

I think his job-title was misleading. He wasn't actually a counsellor in the sense of counselling but more providing parochial support and acting in loco parentis so he doesn't have any counselling qualifications.

SarEl

pettelly wrote: »

SarEl - Actually I'm the one who's gung-ho for psychology! He's a bit more hesitant because of all the study. He'd also have to work to get more experience because the post-grad training can be competitive. But you're right - it easy to get into a rut of not working and, of course, there's absolutely nothing wrong with being a house-husband but it's not what he wants in the long term.

I totally agree with you about teaching and we do sometimes go back to the idea - but he's deadset against it and says he'd be unhappy doing it. It's crazy because he's great with kids, very confident and loves history and loves teaching adults. *sigh*

In that case I think you have to stop being gung-ho and let him make up his own mind. There is no such thing as a perfect career. So he picks one and has to live with it - or you pick one and he blames you for the choice! Maybe he needs to talk to a careers adviser - and not you