Using my degree while being a Navy Wife

[Lizzie_Corpsmanwife]

Hi ladies,

I need some kind of wisdom from women who have been military wives and can possibly help answer a confusion.

My husband will be leaving February 24 to train and I am continuing my education for my masters online.  I am reading here and women are saying it is very hard to find a job while being a military wife because there aren't that many jobs available, especially since permanent station isn't really "permanent".  I want to pursue my PhD or PsyD but don't want to invest 100k into someone I probably won't even be able to use.  I have a bachelors but want my masters in forensic psychology or clinical psychology.  Does anyone here have any insight as to finding work with a masters?

Thanks so much :)

[EmilyNicole98]

Hi,

Unfortunately what you're reading is indeed correct. If your husband is planning on making the Navy a career, I would not advise you to get a PhD. You will be moving every three-ish years and that's extremely problematic. I don't know much about your field of study - is it a field that you need a license in to practice? I'm working on my social work degree and I would have to get re-licensed in every state I move to, which costs money and a ton of time and stress each time (luckily I shouldn't have to do it more than once because my husband is getting out soon). If that's the case for you too, I would start exploring other options...otherwise you're going to have to shell out money and go through the testing process over and over again and worry about re-studying the material. 

A problem that many wives run into is that employers simply don't want to hire military spouses because they know they won't be around long. This is especially true for lower end job likes anything minimum wage, but it is also true for jobs that require degrees. You would have a hard time signing contracts anywhere because you never know how long you'll be able to stay in any given place. You might end up staying at the same duty station for 10 years or you might have 3 or 4 duty stations in 10 years, for example. 

I would stop with your education when you get your master's and wait a few years. See what happens. See what the job market is like for you as a military wife and go from there. If you have a lot of issues getting a job with a masters, do not pursue a PhD..but if you find it quite easy, then go for it! Every situation is different. If he's only planning on staying in for a few years, then it would definitely be worth it to get that extra degree as well.

[meagan5220]

Forensic Psychology will be hard at first (I have my bachelors in Forensic Science and Psychology. EVERYONE thinks they have what it takes to deal with the stuff they will see after watching all the new crime scene tv shows. I recently applied for a crime scene tech job for a city near me, and there were like 300 applicants!!!) and it depends on what you plan on doing with that degree ya know?

 

Job market sort of depends on where you are stationed. Like here in Hampton Roads VA the job market is horrible. But its doable after a lottt of hard work and looking. I found a job after a year of applying and looking.

 

What are you looking to do with your degree? I was once told by a world renowned forensic scientist Dr Henry Lee "If you have ever lost a dream you have lost a life" Don't give up on what you want to do. Look at how you can make it work instead of looking at how you cant! :)

[Lizzie_Corpsmanwife]

Meagan,

We meet again :)

I am really wanting to work in the prisons with inmates :/ crazy I know but I really have a desire in understanding that group of men and women.  It will be very interesting but I am getting my masters in forensic first then seeing where the job market takes me from there.  To obtain my PhD it's like 110k so I have to make sure I WANT this.  Thanks so much for that quote girl cause it is so true and interesting.

[meagan5220]

Yes! :)

that's awesome! there is a program I was looking at in the UK that is for Forensic Psychology of children and I soooo want to do it. Just have to save up the money since you cant get any US assistance for this particular school as of now. I want to work with kids that have been victims of the system. I would love to one day be a criminal profiler but that's a lot harder to actually do than people think lol so for now I just read all the fun books about it! My husband is always giving me a hard time about how creepy I am!!! lol :)

 

Getting a masters will certainly give you a leg up in the field. and even if you start out working with people in a mental hospital you can always grow and change your occupation as you move and gain experience!! The school I realllllly want to go to for my Masters in the US is 70K lol so I hear ya on the money thing! lol Where are you looking into getting your degree?

 

I love that quote! I always try to remind myself of it!

[Lizzie_Corpsmanwife]

Meagan,

Sorry I have been so busy these past couple of weeks in finishing school and stuff.  I was looking at online schools for my masters in forensic psychology, I found a few good places with great tuition rate.  I come from a private Christian University so it is so expensive, but I am looking into Walden University or University of North Dakota.  I think having my masters is going to help me big time in getting a job through the government. 

[meagan5220]

No worries! I understand! Especially that last rush! lol I am pretty sure I told everyone to just pretend like I had moved away for two weeks because I wouldn't be doing anything except school, and sleeping! lol

Yeah The school I really would like that is here in the states is Marymount University up in Arlington, Idk if they do online classes. check out the master's program at the University of Central Oklahoma. Idk if they have started doing it online, but that's where I attended and all the professors are top notch psychologist, former FBI criminal profilers, and the head of the Forensic Science dept is actually former director of all FBI laboratories. John Jay normally has a decent school but last time I looked they were more leaning towards the criminal justice aspect. Also, Chicago school of professionals.. or something along those lines.

Here is a link I had found when I was researching schools as well :) http://www.ap-ls.org/education/Guide%20to%20Graduate%20Programs%20i... 

[Lizzie_Corpsmanwife]

Hey Meagan how's it going?  Man I was looking into all the schools and there are just SO many schools to choose from.  I think I'm going to go to this school that's online called Walden University and since it's my masters I hope to find a job soon. 

Are you planning on going to school or back to school?

[meagan5220]

Its going good! How about yourself! How did your finals go? I know there are soo many! I haven't heard much about Walden but I heard it was good.

 

I do plan on returning. I have to see how life pans out for now. The Marymount school is super expensive. About, $70,000 overall. :/ I like the one In the UK just have to see if its accredited here in the US. I will probably wait until my husbands enlistment is up.