Should I apply for this work-study job?

Question:

It's for a teacher's assistant. I don't have much experience w/ children. My major is art now, but I'm considering a dual degree in art/psych. I'd like to be an art therapist, so I want to get more experience working w/ people. Should I even apply to this job, or should I look for volunteer work w/ children before doing a paying job?

Answer:
Take the job now -- and see if you even want to work with children in the school system - - because the degree choices you are listing are not really going to be able to help you in the immediate future.

For one: In order to really be taken seriously and get certified as a Psychologist -- you need either the Master's Degree or Doctorate -- so just having a bachelor's degree won't get you into a practice right away. It will be looked at as a beginning.

With the Art Degree, well, look at the employment in the school district where this teaching assistant job is located. I'll bet that most of the openings are in the Math and Sciences -- and not Art or English or History -- those fields are usually filled -- it is with the Hard Sciences and the Math that there is difficulty finding QUALIFIED candidates for teaching in these subjects.

So yes, get to the job, accept it, and try it out. You will definitely know at that time whether you want to pursue art therapy (and maybe special education teacher as part of dual degree?) or whether your life will take another direction.

If you want to try it out first and see if you like it. If you don't want to try it at all or it doesn't work out you can apply for another work study job.

Yes, apply for the job. Try to stay through the end of the semester even if you aren't totally into it. This is a good tool to start building a resume. Who knows, you might love it and become a teacher instead. The key is to try it out. Good luck!!

Should I apply for this work-study job?

Hot Topic