Ian Said:

Im a junior in college, what major should I choose?

We Answered:

This depends entirely on you. They may feel and sound similar, but once in them, these careers are very different.

Special Education opens up a plethora of opportunities in special schools, public, private, tutoring, hospital schools, etc. The schedule that you keep in public schools would need to be very flexible. Special Education teachers are used similar to Reading specialists; as needed and where needed. You may work with an individual student using the therapeutic methods or approach outlined in the child's IEP (Individualized Education Programs) that is decided upon by parents, teachers, doctors, and school board. This position outside of a Special school is extremely dynamic. You may float around from school to school within a town's schools. Depending on your grade level certification, this may mean you could teach four year olds or high schoolers. You are expected to be willing to bend and flex with everyone who had a part in developing the child's IEP. This can become hairy if you have already begun to work with the child and something changes abruptly whether it be living situation, health, funding resources, parents, teachers and school board changes. You may teach children individually or in small groups. The children will come with a variety of reasons for needing special ed. Anywhere from behavioral disturbances, cognitive abilities, social and emotional issues, and physical limitations. You may be able to choose which children and when you work after you have worked with a school or school system for awhile, but in the beginning, you will generally work on whatever cases you are qualified to handle. There are frequent meetings you will need to attend and your approach and tools used will be continuously assessed and observed. This may make you feel like a prisoner if your idea of getting in front of a classroom is freedom.

Speech Therapy offers something similar in flexibility of schedule and may take you from school to school within the school system you work for. As with special education, speech therapy outside of a public school may give you more control and respect. This option may seem better than special education because you are focusing specifically on speech. But there may be emotional, behavioral, mental, or physical reasons why your services are needed that may go beyond the child's obvious need for speech therapy. Because this field is highly sought after right now and considered highly specialized, you may get more freedom and respect when you begin. However, like any career dealing with the public, you need to be willing to yield to others and be humble.

Social work is tough and I just don't mean tough as in lots of paperwork, guidelines, continuous legal changes that you required to stay current on (as can be the case sometimes with special education). Work is never ending and you may find yourself expected to handle much more than you are able to in the office. This means you will take it home with you. Sometimes you may be asked to step in temporarily to care for a child. You will be called upon at odd hours. You will work hand in hand with all social and government agencies and police. You are expected to care deeply and produce quality results while being overworked and underpaid confined to the limits of the laws, which may at times not seem to be fairly applied in the cases you are dealing with. You will deal with heartbreak and run the risk of becoming steely from the unending assembly line of people in line for your services. Despite what you feel inside, you are bound to uphold certain code of ethics and standards which may impinge upon your conscience. Upholding the letter of the law instead of the love of the law may mean the difference between you having a job and being fired.

You may benefit from interviewing a speech therapist, special ed teacher, and social worker in the area you would like to work in because every town, city, and state is different.

Something to consider is private tutoring. You can try working for a Slyvan type place to see how you like it. This may give you just a slight taste of what dealing with children with learning challenges will be like. Generally if you want to work with a school system in this capacity they would prefer you to be an on staff teacher or former teacher of the school system.

If you find that social work may suit you better, that is fine. School counselors and mediators utilize both teaching methods and tools as well as interface with government and social agencies. So you would be able to work with children, teach, and perform a social benefit. Best of all worlds. This may be what you are looking for. Best wishes in your endeavors. : )

Marian Said:

Is there private or grant-funded graduate assistance available for folks with bipolar and addiction issues?

We Answered:

Unfortunately all of that sort of aid is for undergraduates. Once you are in graduate school you actually have to work for your financial aid (aside from loans) in the form of research and teaching assistant positions.