Making lives better

Making lives better Making lives betterPosted February 8, 2012, by Aziza GreenAre you a compassionate and nurturing person with a passion for helping people overcome difficult situations? If youre looking for a career that allows you to support people in the community while developing your counselling and communication skills, you may find the perfect fit in the helping professions.CounsellorIf youre a fantastic listener with loads of empathy and a desire to help others, counselling may be your calling. With the help of a counselling qualification, it could be time to use your natural skills and caring to develop a career that youll genuinely enjoy and be fulfilled by. Demand for counsellors and mental health workers will increase in the coming years. With increasing recognition of the importance of mental health and a government investment of $2.2 billion into the mental health sector, theres no better time to enter the industry. Alex Fassas is a 47-year-old mother completing a c ounselling degree at the Jansen Newman Institute, despite anfangsbuchstabe trepidation about going back to study as a mature age student. Its really rewarding. I cant explain the feeling you get when helping someone in crisis. Its made me a better person, says Fassas.Getting the right training with a recognised provider is essential. You need a degree to counsel people. Clinical hours are also a key factor to getting a job and are an important part of the course. It really gives you confidence with getting into the workforce because youve had time with real clients before you start working, says Fassas. Counsellors work in a sortiment of contexts such as private practice, community services, schools, government agencies and rehabilitation centres. You could find yourself acting as mediator between couples facing divorce or counselling juveniles in a detention centre. Counselling skills are needed in many other areas as well, such as human resources and education.PsychologistComple ting a psychology degree will equip you with the specialist skills to work in public, private and not-for-profit contexts as a psychologist. Studying this fascinating subject can open up a range of interesting careers for you in family and community services, human service organisations, personnel management, employment agencies, market research, health and social welfare. To excel in your career, you will need training as well as highly developed listening skills and patience. With further study in psychology, you will be able to register as a clinical psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This will enable you to work in a clinical capacity with government or non-government agencies, private clinics, schools, employment agencies, disability and rehabilitation centres, or in your own practice.Social workerSocial workers are committed to protecting the wellbeing of vulnerable people facing challenging situations such as mental or physical il lness, disability, abuse, unemployment and grief, and protecting children and the elderly. As a social worker you could find work in hospitals, the police force, government departments such as the Department of Human Services or Centrelink, non-government organisations and more. To be a social worker you will need to be qualified and equipped with knowledge of psychological principles, as well as resilience to help people through difficult times. In larger organisations which focus on community care, social workers can find themselves in challenging situations which require strong communication skills and assertiveness. The work can be demanding, but also extremely rewarding.Youth workerYouth work is a great career path for people who enjoy working with young people and who want to help them pursue better life choices. Working with young people can be challenging and unpredictable, but also incredibly fulfilling. You will need to have loads of energy, a positive attitude and a genu ine respect for young people to thrive as a youth worker. Working as a youth berater or youth worker, you will get to help young people develop self-esteem and confidence. You will be a role model, guide and counsellor, providing a safe and encouraging environment for growth, practical assistance and emotional support. You can specialise in case management, alcohol and drug support or mental health support.CoachCoaches help people to overcome areas that are holding them back in life and, using their skills and training, help people set and achieve goals. Coaches offer support, guidance and an objective voice to address the personal or professional challenges that people face. You will need to have exceptional interpersonal skills and be trained in the fundamentals of psychology and counselling. Potential career paths include working as a community development coach, careers coach, executive coach, life coach, fitness, health or wellness coach, or management coach. You can study a n applied social science degree or a short life coaching course for training.Start changing lives todayBuilding a career in the areas of social work, psychology, counselling or coaching can be challenging, but youll have the satisfaction of knowing that youre making a real difference to peoples lives. Its important that you have the proper training and knowledge to deal with challenging issues and situations that may arise. Its also vital that you understand and apply the principles of self-care in order to function at your best. If you have a desire to help others overcome their problems and live better lives, then this is the perfect career path for you.Start making a difference today see our courses in counselling, psychology, social work and coaching.Counselling ResourcesRehabilitation counsellor sample resumeRehabilitation counsellor sample cover letterCareer Insider StoriesLucy Barnes - Career CoachBecky Paroz, Mentor, Coach & Project ManagerBecky Paroz, Mentor, Coach & Proje ct ManagerTanya Denny - Founder of Chrysalis Therapeutic Support ServicesDr Mona Taouk - Medical Science LiaisonInterested in becoming a?Marketing OfficerTeam LeaderHuman Resources ManagerCommunity WorkerCounsellorPopular Career Searcheshow to become a child psychologist australiagov funded counselling courses onlinegovernment funded social work courses melbournehow much does a psychology degree cost in australiagov funded counselling courses sydneyCounselling CoursesDiploma of CounsellingEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of CounsellingEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Psychological Science and SociologyEnquire Online Enquire OnlineGraduate Diploma in PsychologyEnquire Online Enquire OnlineAziza GreenRelated ArticlesBrowse moreCounsellingMental HealthMental Health Week 2013 promoting awarenessIts Mental Health Week and weve been talking to some inspiring people who have turned their mental illness into a positive path forward.Charles Sturt University (CSU)Future trendsSoc ial Work What Does the Future Hold? We sat down with Charles Sturt University (CSU) social work academics to uncover the changes and challenges society will undergo in the coming decades, and how these changes will affect the role of social work and social workers in the future.Community ServicesCounsellingThe many faces of social workThe field of social work is incredibly broad and diverse, but wonderfully rewarding too. So how do you decide which field of social work is best for you?