7 answers
1
Question
Asked
1418 views
What kinds of jobs should I search for, as a recent graduate with a Bachelors in Psychology aiming to build my application for a Masters in Mental Health Counseling or Clinical Psychology?
I am applying to graduate school later this year, so will be taking a year/year and a half off between undergrad and grad school. In that time, I’d like to do something relevant and helpful for my future goals of being a counselor/therapist.
Login to comment
7 answers
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Ayako, I agree with other responses regarding case management. Any nonprofit organization or agency that has a mission to support individuals, children/youth, and families in need will give you direct experience (even from the edges) in the arena of mental health. You can look into community mental health; there may openings to be a housing case manager in a supportive housing setting, work at a DV shelter or other type of temporary housing arrangement. If you have a special interest in working with a community or for a specific cause, like sex trafficking I have no doubt you will find at least one organization with potential entry level positions. I know people with a BA who went into project management or program management. You may need to work up to this level, but it is possible. There are many therapeutic camps that seek volunteers during the summers- for instance camps for gender diverse children, children who have experienced burns, children with disabilities, children who have experienced a death in the family and more. If you have lived experience (with mental health, homelessness, addiction, etc.) you might consider getting a Peer Counselor certificate (to work as a peer specialist). The training is brief (one or two weeks) and inexpensive. Peers can be paid fairly well, especially if you work for a hospital. Other ideas- family support specialist or working in an administrative role with a small business that does work you may want to pursue. Being around others who have the career you hope to have may allow you to glean information and soak up the atmosphere. Crisis hotlines and helplines are incredibly useful experience; you will be trained on the job. Hotline work is great because you learn about local resources of all kinds. If you are enthusiastic about research, see if your university has a research assistant opening. Some research positions are complex and require a graduate level of knowledge- but there may be lower skill level options. Your own passion will guide you and may also get you a foot in the door with or without the MA. You will not be able to do clinical work or diagnose of course, but there are definitely a variety of other, appropriate options!
Updated
Hosna’s Answer
You can work as Behavior Technician and gain clinical hours. You can also find research jobs within Psychology but a BT would be perfect because you will be doing ABA therapy for children with autism. You can also get a teacher assistant job in schools if you are taking the counselor route.
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Ayako !
There are a lot of jobs you can apply for on a Bachelors level, especially in New York City, NY ! Your first stop is right there at your college psychology department because they should be very aware of job openings, especially in NYC. This is not going to be difficult for you.
You qualify to be a full-fledged Case Manager at this time. HASA is always looking for Case Managers to work with the HIV/AIDS population. That is a city job that you may have to commit to, however. Not sure if you just want to work one year before your Masters or what your plan is. Read employment websites for social services positions in Brooklyn, too.
You may know the names of social services in your head by now, so make a list of them and go to each website and apply for positions directly at their website. Return to any place you may have done volunteer work or your internship at and apply for paid work there. Contact the Urban Resource Institute to work with Domestic Violence survivor clients and the homeless. You can also figure out where to apply by first seeing what population or cause you'd like to work for. That may be the way you'd know where to apply and read the job descriptions to see if it's something you'd want. Read the case manager job descriptions at hospitals, too.
Not having the Masters Degree yet and not being certified in New York, I do not think you would qualify for any clinical positions just yet, but you certainly can do situational counseling within a social service capacity and get paid for it. Remember to visit your Career Center at your school and consult with your professors. Since they know you already, they may be able to suggest something for you that will be a good fit for you.
I hope this helps and wish you all the best !
There are a lot of jobs you can apply for on a Bachelors level, especially in New York City, NY ! Your first stop is right there at your college psychology department because they should be very aware of job openings, especially in NYC. This is not going to be difficult for you.
You qualify to be a full-fledged Case Manager at this time. HASA is always looking for Case Managers to work with the HIV/AIDS population. That is a city job that you may have to commit to, however. Not sure if you just want to work one year before your Masters or what your plan is. Read employment websites for social services positions in Brooklyn, too.
You may know the names of social services in your head by now, so make a list of them and go to each website and apply for positions directly at their website. Return to any place you may have done volunteer work or your internship at and apply for paid work there. Contact the Urban Resource Institute to work with Domestic Violence survivor clients and the homeless. You can also figure out where to apply by first seeing what population or cause you'd like to work for. That may be the way you'd know where to apply and read the job descriptions to see if it's something you'd want. Read the case manager job descriptions at hospitals, too.
Not having the Masters Degree yet and not being certified in New York, I do not think you would qualify for any clinical positions just yet, but you certainly can do situational counseling within a social service capacity and get paid for it. Remember to visit your Career Center at your school and consult with your professors. Since they know you already, they may be able to suggest something for you that will be a good fit for you.
I hope this helps and wish you all the best !
Kazi Rubayee
Oriental medicine health professional, Acupuncturist, Holistic health practitioner
75
Answers
Updated
Kazi’s Answer
This is a great idea to use your gap period effectively and strengthen your g rad application.
Here are some tips:
• As a research assistant in a university or clinical setting, you will learn skills like data collection and analysis, relevant to this field.
• Mental health technicians in a psychiatric hospital, mental health clinic, or rehabilitation, give you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience.
• Working or volunteering as a Behavioral therapist for children or children’s developmental disorders.
• Crisis hotline counselors, volunteering or working can be beneficial as this directly aligns with your future career goal.
• Looking for an internship in a counseling center
Besides these positions, you can take some relevant courses in the mental health field and get certifications in areas like cognitive behavioral therapy, mental health first aid, and motivational interviewing, these credentials can strengthen your grad school application.
Best,
Here are some tips:
• As a research assistant in a university or clinical setting, you will learn skills like data collection and analysis, relevant to this field.
• Mental health technicians in a psychiatric hospital, mental health clinic, or rehabilitation, give you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience.
• Working or volunteering as a Behavioral therapist for children or children’s developmental disorders.
• Crisis hotline counselors, volunteering or working can be beneficial as this directly aligns with your future career goal.
• Looking for an internship in a counseling center
Besides these positions, you can take some relevant courses in the mental health field and get certifications in areas like cognitive behavioral therapy, mental health first aid, and motivational interviewing, these credentials can strengthen your grad school application.
Best,
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hello Ayako,
So to strengthen your application for a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling or Clinical Psychology, consider these few roles which I hope to be helpful:
Behavioral Health Technician – Work directly with clients in mental health settings, assisting with therapy sessions and daily support.
Case Manager – Help clients access resources, coordinate care, and navigate mental health services.
Research Assistant – Assist with psychological studies, gaining experience in data collection and analysis.
Crisis Hotline Counselor – Develop counseling skills through crisis intervention and active listening.
Peer Support Specialist – With proper certification, provide lived-experience-based support in hospitals or community programs.
Volunteering, earning a Mental Health First Aid certification, or working in administrative roles at mental health organizations can also provide valuable exposure. Each experience will enhance your skills and will demonstrate your commitment to the field.
Best of luck on your journey, You got this better than anyone else! 💪😉
Start by searching for Behavioral Health Technician or Case Manager positions on job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn—these roles offer hands-on experience and are a perfect fit for your goals!
So to strengthen your application for a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling or Clinical Psychology, consider these few roles which I hope to be helpful:
Behavioral Health Technician – Work directly with clients in mental health settings, assisting with therapy sessions and daily support.
Case Manager – Help clients access resources, coordinate care, and navigate mental health services.
Research Assistant – Assist with psychological studies, gaining experience in data collection and analysis.
Crisis Hotline Counselor – Develop counseling skills through crisis intervention and active listening.
Peer Support Specialist – With proper certification, provide lived-experience-based support in hospitals or community programs.
Volunteering, earning a Mental Health First Aid certification, or working in administrative roles at mental health organizations can also provide valuable exposure. Each experience will enhance your skills and will demonstrate your commitment to the field.
Best of luck on your journey, You got this better than anyone else! 💪😉
Dr recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Brittany’s Answer
My niece just graduated from Texas State University, she has taken a position at a behavioral health clinic. She worked with children with different abilities to guide them through life and help teach them how to handle different life events and changes. If you are wanting to work primarily with children this may be a good option. The company she is working with is also assisting in getting her masters in Psychology as well.
Look in your area for employment with a behavioral health clinic.
Brittany recommends the following next steps:
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1048
Answers
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Ayako,
Before enrolling in a program, taking a year or so to obtain relevant experience will help you better understand the industry and improve your applications to graduate schools. While the degree still offers broad foundational knowledge in psychology, most graduates seek to explore opportunities as a:
-Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) or Mental Health Technician – You’d work directly with clients in psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, or outpatient clinics, helping with therapy sessions, daily activities, and emotional support.
-Case Manager or Support Specialist – Many nonprofit organizations, community mental health centers, and social service agencies hire psychology graduates to assist clients with accessing resources, coordinating care, and managing crises.
-Research Assistant in Psychology or Mental Health – If you’re interested in the research side of psychology, working in a university or hospital setting could be a great way to strengthen your application and gain experience with assessments, data collection, and literature reviews.
-Crisis Hotline Counselor – Working at a crisis or suicide prevention hotline can help you develop key counseling skills like active listening, crisis intervention, and de-escalation techniques.
-Residential Counselor or Direct Support Professional – Facilities for individuals with mental health conditions, developmental disabilities, or substance use disorders often hire entry-level staff to provide support and guidance in daily living.
-Substance Abuse Counselor Assistant – If you’re interested in working with addiction treatment, some clinics or rehab centers offer entry-level roles where you can gain exposure to therapy models used in recovery.
-School-Based Mental Health Roles – Some schools hire paraprofessionals, behavioral aides, or student support specialists to assist students with emotional and behavioral needs.
-Administrative Roles in a Mental Health Setting – Even a role like a receptionist or office assistant in a therapy practice or counseling center can provide exposure to the field and help you build connections.
Additionally, consider volunteering at mental health groups, earning your Mental Health First Aid certification, or going to therapeutic method workshops if you want to improve your graduate school applications even further.
You can get practical experience and determine whether counseling is the best career route for you during this gap year. Just keep looking for chances that fit with your desire to serve people, and you will be on the right track!
Best wishes!
Before enrolling in a program, taking a year or so to obtain relevant experience will help you better understand the industry and improve your applications to graduate schools. While the degree still offers broad foundational knowledge in psychology, most graduates seek to explore opportunities as a:
-Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) or Mental Health Technician – You’d work directly with clients in psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, or outpatient clinics, helping with therapy sessions, daily activities, and emotional support.
-Case Manager or Support Specialist – Many nonprofit organizations, community mental health centers, and social service agencies hire psychology graduates to assist clients with accessing resources, coordinating care, and managing crises.
-Research Assistant in Psychology or Mental Health – If you’re interested in the research side of psychology, working in a university or hospital setting could be a great way to strengthen your application and gain experience with assessments, data collection, and literature reviews.
-Crisis Hotline Counselor – Working at a crisis or suicide prevention hotline can help you develop key counseling skills like active listening, crisis intervention, and de-escalation techniques.
-Residential Counselor or Direct Support Professional – Facilities for individuals with mental health conditions, developmental disabilities, or substance use disorders often hire entry-level staff to provide support and guidance in daily living.
-Substance Abuse Counselor Assistant – If you’re interested in working with addiction treatment, some clinics or rehab centers offer entry-level roles where you can gain exposure to therapy models used in recovery.
-School-Based Mental Health Roles – Some schools hire paraprofessionals, behavioral aides, or student support specialists to assist students with emotional and behavioral needs.
-Administrative Roles in a Mental Health Setting – Even a role like a receptionist or office assistant in a therapy practice or counseling center can provide exposure to the field and help you build connections.
Additionally, consider volunteering at mental health groups, earning your Mental Health First Aid certification, or going to therapeutic method workshops if you want to improve your graduate school applications even further.
You can get practical experience and determine whether counseling is the best career route for you during this gap year. Just keep looking for chances that fit with your desire to serve people, and you will be on the right track!
Best wishes!