u/tacosgirly

Hey everyone! I'm 28 years old living in Orange County, CA and I recently got let go from my job as a Client Solutions Manager at a corporate staffing firm.

My background is in Communications and International Relations (UC Davis) and over the past 8 years I've worked across real estate project management, sales, and talent acquisition. Earlier in my life I also worked as a tutor and camp counselor for kids, which sparked my passion for working with young people and is a big part of why I'm now seriously considering a career pivot into school counseling. Looking for something more meaningful, stable, rewarding and better work life balance.

I'm planning to pursue a Masters in School Counseling with a PPS credential — and ideally a program that also includes LPCC eligibility for clinical licensure flexibility down the road. I'm still deciding between a pure school counseling program vs MSW (leaning towards more school counseling), so any insight on that would also be really helpful.

Programs I'm considering for Fall 2027:

• Cal State LA (SBFC program — PPS + LMFT + LPCC)

• Cal State Long Beach

• Chapman University

• LMU

• USC Rossier (reach)

A few things I'd love insight on:

1. Is the school counseling job market in Orange County and LA County actually as strong as I'm reading?

2. Does anyone have experience with any of these programs specifically?

3. For those who made a career change into school counseling — what do you wish you knew before starting?

4. Any advice on making my application stand out? My experience with kids has been more informal — tutoring and camp counseling rather than formal education roles.

5. School doesn't start until Fall of 2027. What jobs should I apply to in the meantime and where do I even begin to look?

6. School counseling vs MSW — for anyone who has been through both paths, which do you wish you had chosen and why?

Any insights from current school counselors, social workers, or anyone who made a similar pivot would mean a lot. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! I graduated from UC Davis in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and International Relations. Over the past 8 years, I’ve worked across several industries, starting as a Project Manager in Real Estate before pivoting into Sales, and I currently work as a Talent Manager at Robert Half within the Finance & Accounting division.
Through my current role, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with CFOs and leadership teams within the healthcare industry, which has sparked my interest in pursuing a long-term career in healthcare myself. I’m looking for a career path that offers more stability, while also allowing me to make a more meaningful impact in my community.
Since my background is not directly in healthcare, I’d love advice on the best path forward. I’m currently considering two options:
Completing healthcare prerequisites at my local community college and then applying to a BSN program, or

Pursuing an MBA with a healthcare focus while gaining relevant internship experience along the way.

For context, I currently live in Orange County, Southern California, and would like to stay in the area long term. I’d greatly appreciate any advice, insight, or experiences anyone would be willing to share. Thank you!