Job Market in the Austin area for LSSPs, Social Workers, Counselors (Houston: job outlook, public schools)

[SwtStar]

Hi there! I am just seeking any advice for which direction to take my career in the Austin job market as I am more familiar with the Houston area. I graduated three years ago with a degree in psychology and have been thinking of obtaining a graduate degree in one of three fields. I was just wondering if anyone out there has experience or knows something that could help me out.

I am trying to choose between LSSP (Licensed specialist in school psychology), school social worker, school counselor and hospital social worker (preferably in a children's hospital such as Dell Children's).

I have been trying to find information on the job outlook for LSSPs and school social workers in Austin and surrounding areas, but have not come up with much. I hear these types of positions are in high demand, but I also hear they are the first to go with budget cuts. With a school counseling degree, I see many available positions, but I would have to get certified and teach in a classroom for two years. I've been checking the ISD websites and have found no postings for any of the jobs.

I have a more limited idea of what a hospital social worker (either in a pediatric unit or a children's hospital) would entail from day to day. Also, the job outlook on those kinds of jobs here in the Austin area.

I am just trying to see salary and job secuirty-wise, which would be the best fit for the Austin area. I would also consider almost anything from Georgetown down to San Marcos, if needed. Thanks for any input!

[CptnRn]

I'm not a medical professional, but given the recent and pending cutbacks in public school budgets, both state and local, that is probably not a great area to be focusing on. Better focus on anything related to hospitals and the private health care industry rather then any area that relies on public or state funds. Texas was already rated last in dollars spent on public schools before this recent budget shortfall. It is going to be some time before it recovers.

With the aging baby boomer population, it seems to me that the growth areas in medical care will be in dealing with the elderly.

[RooCeleste]

I totally concur with CptnRn...social services and schools are being cut hard, and without a master's, jobs will be tough to come by because you're competing with people who do have experience and master's degrees. Probably some of your best bets (that will also give you good experience to apply later) are direct care or case management in residential treatment, direct care in state hospitals or state supported living centers, or probation/parole. However, like I said, social services (and probably those areas of criminal justice) will likely be cut hard during this legislative session, so just don't be too picky. At this point, focus on getting experience and knowledge that will give you a little boost ahead of the pack later, after you get that graduate degree.

As far as choosing the graduate degree, I would suggest getting a more general degree that will get you a broad license that you then can specialize with...ie instead of getting a degree in hospital social work, get a general social work degree and license and then think about specializing in the different areas. That will get you much farther in the long run.

All this is coming from a Licensed Professional Counselor - Clinical Supervisor with a Master's in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology...if you have any other questions, feel free to ask! Good luck!!

[Papillon Mom]

I am currently working toward my MA in school counseling at Texas State. The nice thing with their program is that you get your degree in professional school counseling and after around two years in the schools you can sit for the LPC exam. So it opens a few avenues.

If you do not have your two years teaching experience, and want to stay in Texas after graduation, school counseling may not be the right choice for you. There are several people in the program who are moving out of state when they graduate because they cannot get their two years teaching experience- there are NO teaching jobs here. Most other states do not have the teaching requirement so graduates can leave Texas and begin school counseling right away.

Good luck in whatever you choose to pursue!

[swluv2help]

Are social workers in need at Austin? I just got my MSW in CA & thinking about moving to Texas. I'm guessing there is a bigger in Houston or Dallas?