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In search of the proper career path

I'm a 29-year-old Hispanic male who enjoys helping others. I tend to go out of my way for others and do my absolute best when I encounter someone in need whether it is a friend, family member, or someone I've never met.

I'd love to find a career working with youth whether at a high school or a juvenile center.

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Doc’s Answer

Nestor youth counselors work in a variety of settings, including schools, private practices, correctional facilities, community centers and medical centers. Many organizations that hire youth counselors, especially those involving working with juvenile offenders, provide entry-level training in crisis management and safety procedures. Employment in these positions typically requires passing a background check, drug test and exams. Youth counselors typically work with delinquents and troubled youth aged 10-21 in schools, social service organizations and the juvenile justice system. These counselors provide supervision and guidance to youth who have committed a crime or who have been identified as being at risk. Counselors maintain communication with multiple parties in the social services and court systems, and they make decisions that can affect children, young adults and their families. Counselors should enjoy working with kids, be patient and be able to manage stress. General youth counselor job duties include supervising and counseling children or young adults, developing and implementing treatment plans and attending court hearings. A youth counselor may also interact with families or teens who are at risk due to homelessness, learning deficiencies or domestic violence in their homes.

Hope this was helpful Nestor

Doc recommends the following next steps:

Volunteer or work with youth programs or at summer camps. Nestor you could volunteer or work as camp counselors at summer camps or in youth organizations. These types of experience will help you learn to communicate with youth and allow students to gain experience required for entry-level employment. Volunteering during may also help you discover if youth counseling is a good career choice for you.
Many positions for youth counselors require or prefer to hire bilingual individuals. Some positions require proficiency in speaking and writing in Spanish. Therefore, learning Spanish or another language while in school may make students eligible for more job opportunities.
Thank you comment icon Thank You Bryan. Alone, we can do so little; together we can do so much. – Helen Keller Doc Frick
Thank you comment icon John, thank you so much! This is extremely helpful. The fact that I'm fluent in both English and Spanish will definitely be of great help to reach a broader range of kids. Nestor
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Valerie’s Answer

You should consider getting a Master’s degree in Social Work
or guidance counseling which would enable you to work in a junior high or high school setting.
If you like sports you might want to consider becoming a physical education teacher. That would entail learning about anatomy, human physiology etc. Go to the website of the Occupational Outlook Handbook to learn the long term prospects for these fields! Also visit Assessment.com and take the personality test. It will
analyze your strengths and weaknesses in depth, skill set and ideal careers for your personality type. It can provide you with a list of top ten careers after analyzing your personality profile , strengths and weaknesses.
Thank you comment icon Valerie, thanks a lot for the information. I was actually considering the physical education career as well given I have a passion for sports as well! Nestor
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Chris’s Answer

I would say there are several things you could try. Depending on your financial needs you can volunteer in preparation for your career. You can volunteer with your church in their youth group and even consider going into the ministry in either the church or you could consider Young Life, which is a ministry to high school students.

You can indeed, like the other suggestion and depending upon your qualifications, look into school counseling or volunteering somewhere. You can consider a local YMCA or states or county or social work, etc.

If as you stated, you are looking for a career, you can start with coaching or working with various ministries in the community or apply directly with them. Depending on your education and qualifications, you will be able to target various jobs in various fields.
Thank you comment icon Chris, thanks a lot for your input! Nestor
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Simeon’s Answer

It sounds like you would be interested in doing social work. There are a lot of opportunities to help youth within the social work field. In addition to social work courses, you might also try doing a business minor to help in learning how to run a non-profit in case you want to start your own non-profit someday. Some universities even offer a specific degree in non-profit management.
Thank you comment icon Simeon's, thanks for your answer! I actually hadn't thought about a non-profit or starting my own. That would be something very interesting given I'm in the Tech field currently and can probably use this experience along with any social work education to do something for kids/youth. Nestor
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