[pegasus]

At the moment I'm working as a special needs teaching assistant. I love my job very much but I have a few things to chew over.

I got a doctoral level cert in clinical psychology back in January and was accepted in the division of clinical psychology, so this means I'm now a qualified clinical psychologist. This is great but I don't know what to do about my job.

At the moment I get paid peanuts and work very hard with therapeutic interventions, I do love what I am doing but I know I could be being paid a lot more. Money isn't everything but still I feel I deserve more.

One of the big problems is the Head Teacher recently told all teaching assistants are going to have their hours cut in September, which could mean my hours being cut aswell and also it wil be difficult for me to ask for a higher salary knowing that he has already overspent on the budget.

So what do I do? The Head Teacher doesn't even know that I am qualified now, he doesn't know anything about clinical psychology and to be honest my skills may be better put to use else where now? Do I ask for more money? Or is it time for me to move on?

[Brian37]

move on....

why did you pursue a doctoral in psychology if your not going to work as one?

id be happy to be your first client!

[nothemama8]

I think you need to do both, ask for more money, let him know about your cert. and see if he can do better by you then look around you can always work part time in two areas ???

[bebop]

move on! I agree with brian. you earned your degree. time to put it to use.

[hmmph]

maybe ask about more money and let them know about your cert. and if they won't give it to you then move on?

[okiedokie]

I'd be happy to be your 2nd client!

If you love your job, ask for more money. If your hours get cut and you don't get a raise, then move on.

Love,
Okie

[sabby]

I think this is a great time to continue doing what you are now doing as it is money coming in and investigating other opportunities in the field that you can use your degree in. I'm not so sure that asking for more money when they are now cutting hours would be prudent...and telling them of your degree....they may just let you go thinking that you are going to leave anyway.

If you like working in the field you are in now....I would imagine there could be other possibilities to use your degree within the same realm...maybe not doing what you are now doing, but somewhere in the system

Whatever you do peg...I wish you well!


sabby

[pegasus]

Thanks for the input friends. I have much to think about. I'm still not sure what to do.

[nightbird]

move on...

get a form letter of introduction, relating qualifications you have, and have this copied on about 200 nice bond letterhead (have a stamp made at printer) papers, slip them into 200 nice, business, bond paper stamped envelopes, all stamped with your name and title, and address.

Stating in the most professional manner that you are now accepting clients, regarding who you send it to - it could be industrial, or personal clientele - at which point then you want to send this letter of intro to Dr.s offices, medical admin. at clinics and hospitals, etc.

You get the point.

Start networking now, before this job and pay - takes you farther away from doing what you need to - it costs a bit at first maybe - to rent an office or share an office space with another professional, whatever it is, whether at home, or in a different setting - you are worth the investment in your future.

Get to it!

We need good people out here.

peace,
nightbird

[Perna]

Can't you apply to be a special needs teacher instead of teaching assistant? I'd just let the head teacher know in that way :-) that you're ready move up and take on more of what you're already doing (so don't cut my job and pay me more while you're at it!). Let the head teacher worry/fret that he might lose you if he doesn't figure something out.

[splitimage]

I'd say definitely pursue opportunties to use your qualifications - you'v earned them. If you like working with students, see what jobs are open at the board / district level for psychologists.

splitimage

[MyBestKids2]

Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to let him know of your new status. Maybe he will be able to offer something else. If not, you have ample time to find a career more suitable to your needs.

Good luck!

[I_WMD]

Peg My Friend ,, I say this first ,, >>. I didn' t read the other responses to see if there was a consensus yet . S ooooooooooooooooooo ...



...I am useing memory ,, Ya had the time to do Degree thingy ,, and Ya had time to do something else >> I would deal with the hours cut to go out and present my Training and education continueing thing ,, and ,, Shoot Peg !!! >>.. You Good For the Place Of Care thing Your Heart GIVES .. See what that and this do ,, >> And let those you have so far met along the way to this point Help .

[katheryn]

if i know our school system at all, i doubt you will get more money

start looking for something else while carrying on working tell the head of your plans he might not want to loose you so might offer you something else

again it depends on your head as goverment dont give them enough to keep up with costs so money gets saved where ever

you could look at a special school there are two in my area one for the older students that could cope with a sort of normal school life that aslso has borders as its the only one for a distance and also one that takes younger disabled children

good luck

[pegasus]

Thank you for all the replies.

I have thought about all this and it is driving me mad. I have got to a point in my thinking at the mo of just jacking in the job and resigning.

This is my thinking >>> The Head Teacher knew that I was using the teaching assistant job for my training to become a clinical psychologist. When you are training you have to find somewhere in the system to work, so I chose the education system. Most trainees work in the NHS but I chose to do it differently. So the Head Teacher is not oblivious to what I was doing. I also gave him my cert in January and showed him my letter of acceptance but still nothing was done back then. I'm not someone who shouts about their achievements so I have just carried on as I am.

Also, I really don't think the school needs a clinical psychologist so I think I'm going to have to move on.

[Perna]

Do you have to practice as a clinical psychologist? I thought you liked what you do? Why can't you just be a teacher with an advanced degree. . .

[(JD)]

Are you sure the school doesn't need you that position? What about other schools? We sure could use you over here! There are so few counselors they began a listener program years ago... I was going to volunteer but one of the rules is you can't offer advice or counsel! You can only listen.

Anyway that was OT.

Pegasus, only you know for sure what you can do ... you can't know what else you can do until you try. The main thing is to make a decision (the stress of indecision kills!) and don't do second guessing if it doesn't work out- just make another decision. Do your best, what more can you do? I hope you find a happy place to work!

[pegasus]

Thanks Perna and Sky.

My T asked me years ago whether I would like to be a teacher instead, and although I enjoy teaching I feel my calling is in therapeutic interventions for mental health and learning disabilities.

I'll be having a meeting next week, so keep your fingers crossed and I'll let you know how it goes.

[(JD)]

I fully understand, I was going for a doctorate in education when I became tired of everyone asking me where I was going to teach ...which they had begun even while I was earning my bachelor in edu. Since I was already counseling others, that's when I changed (and why) to the full psychology program.

I don't believe in luck (though I've been known to say I'll take good luck over skill any day ) but will send you good vibes that you will know if it's right for you.

[I_WMD]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
pegasus said:

Thanks Perna and Sky.

My T asked me years ago whether I would like to be a teacher instead, and although I enjoy teaching I feel my calling is in therapeutic interventions for mental health and learning disabilities.

I'll be having a meeting next week, so keep your fingers crossed and I'll let you know how it goes.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

* ouch * * eeech * uchhh >>. Ouuuuuuuuuch ** >>. WMD remembers last time he crossed everything for Peg >>.

Gots it all crossed again !!!!! Make it snappy >>..

[pegasus]

You gotta keep everything crossed till Tuesday at least, but don't do yourself an injury ok!

[sarahlilianne]

Keeping all things crossed Please let us know how it went.
Lily

[PsyChris]

I assume that by qualified you mean you have completed the X number of hours of clinical training.

It's great that you want to be in the teaching field. With a PsyD. I'd have my eyes set on Director of the program lol.

Community level mental health clinics always need qualified clinical psychologists. They are severely understaffed and you get to avoid much of the bureaucracy (and cynicism!) of mental health hospitals.

[pegasus]

I have decided that I'm going to hand in my resignation tomorrow. I know that I should probably stay in the job and actively look for another but I'm sick of fighting so I'm going to leave.

Thanks for everyones help.

[katheryn]

how much notice do you have to give ?