Expert: Torski Dobson-Arnold - 8/19/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi I want to know if you can give me some information about becoming a career counselor or a human resources professional. I need only 3 more classes to finish my associates in liberal arts and i don't know what to do after that, i was in a physical therapy assistant program but it didn't work, i like the medical field also but i want to go for an instructor career, i realized i like to train people because i got to do that at my past jobs.  I already took the aptitude test but Im still confused because it still gives me a lot of options. The other aspect that I have to consider is that I have to get a student loan once I live my current job and still get another job to pay bills while attending school. Please I need some advise.  Thank you

ANSWER: Giovanna,

You are in luck because I worked in the human resources profession for 10 years before stepping out on faith and starting a career services & resume writing firm that I own now.

With the upcoming associates in liberal arts, one option would be to take the AA or AS degree to a four-year university and complete the bachelor's degree in human resources management, specifically taking courses in the field such as compensation management, organizational development, labor relations, etc.

You also mention wanting to go into career counseling.  That would simply require that you still move to a four-year educational institution and look at majors in education, counseling, psychology, etc.  I would also suggest that if you wish to go into counseling in secondary education, you would probably need to complete a Master's in Counseling as well at some point in the future to be competitive in that career field.

Aptitude tests are designed by default to show various fields that might be a good match for you.  In this world, most people go through at least 3 to 5 careers in their lifetime, so you want to be multi-faceted and multi-talented in whatever you do.

I hope this helps!

Claiming nothing but success in all of your career endeavors,


Torski Dobson-Arnold
Your Career Confidence Coach
www.yourcareerconfidence.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi thank you for your last answer. Now if there is no major in human resources management then what are my options if that is what I want to go for.? I asked the vocational counselor at my college but she said there is no major in that. Would you be able to tell me a little about student loans? I need a student loan but those that you pay after you graduate and find a job, I just need to know how to get one.

ANSWER: Giovana,

I suggest that you look at schools that do have human resources management as a major.  I have attached a link to help get you started.

http://education-portal.com/articles/Bachelor_of_Arts_%28BA%29:_Human_Resources_

As it relates to financial aid, once you find a school that offers that major, you'll want to speak with someone in the school's financial aid office and they will act as the subject-matter-expert on all things related to financial aid.  You may also be able to qualify for grants and other scholarships monies at that particular school as well.  This is monies you do NOT have to pay back after graduating.  This is the BEST kind of financial aid.

I hope this helps!

Claiming nothing but success in all of your career endeavors,

Torski Dobson-Arnold
The Career Confidence Coach


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi thanks for the link. OK the problem with the financial aid is that I don't have green card. I am authorized to work and go to school but for financial aid they require it and that is why I would need a private student loan. If you know anything about that please let me know.

Answer
I have a friend who has exhausted her loan monies through federal government options and is now paying for her college costs out of pocket and has in some rare cases, used credit cards to pay for her degree.

http://www.privatestudentloans.com/

I would check with local banking and finance organizations also in regards to their private loans options.

Again, I hope this helps!

Claiming nothing but success in all of your career endeavors,

Torski Dobson-Arnold
The Career Confidence Coach