Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor/Couinseling Psychologist 

How did you get your current job?
A friend told me the Va was hiring and I followed up with the info given and applied.

What was the application process?
Application, resume and answering a series of counseling questions to test your knowledge

Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail?
Yes, I met with the director and what would be all of my co-workers.

If you can remember, what questions were you asked during the interview?
How long have I worked in the field? What disabilities have I worked with? What skills do i bring to the department? Am I comuter literate? Do I need constant supervision?

Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain.
Yes, upon getting the position. The first day I was given all the laws and the mauals that I needed. I worked for a month with one of the senior counselors to show me all the little things I needed to know.

Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
Not really, you have to have the Master’s degree in the field of Rehabilitaion Counseling. Once I got the job I got all the details of the way the government does things.

Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain.
Yes, Have the advanced degree – my education was specialized to the field I am in.

If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare for your job?
Yes, it gave me hands on experience. You cannot learn counseling from a book.

If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
Get thier Masters Degree. You have an educational requirement that has to be met for my career. The work in the field a coupke of years beofre trying to work at the governemtn level. It is more intense on this level.

What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours?
You HAVE to have social skills – if you don’t like people or don’t have patience – don’t try this. You have to be organized, have great time management skills and some basic knowledge of computers. You also haveto be self motivated – get in and get the job done you have to be responsible for your job – you are dealing with peoples lives – it is NOT a game.

Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
You do – a Master’s Degree.

What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Relax, and enjoy the people you work with. Enjoy your clients. It is hard enough for them to come to you – make them feel relaxed, comfortable, but most important – you have to care.