Discussions

Hello, everyone! First of all I want to say, that I'm a newcomer to Brandon, live here for about a year and I'm totally happy with the community and the city itself. Really, it's the most cool place for me. And, believe me, I visited many countries and places.  
 
Concerning my question - I am feeling myself on the crossroads and I really don't know where to start exploring and whom to contact.  
 
I've graduated 15 years ago as a social Bachelor of Psychology back in my country of origin. Besides, I took a two-year diploma in family counselling in 2003-2004. I had a practice for two to three years, but needed to reconsider my profession for I had to make money and I couldn't because in our country ppl just don't believe in psychologists, they better visit friends, or church or drink, lol. So for the last 10 years I worked in completely different area (and doing my job good)))  
 
When I came here I felt that it's my chance to start my life since the very beginning. I like to help ppl, I like organizing things and I love communications. And I could try to make Master degree, but:  
 
- English is my second language and, moreover, my mindset is quite different (for example, the fairytailes I've listened to while I was a kid, the books I've read, the history itself - everything is a bit other than here, in Canada). I am afraid I will not fit in.  
 
- My university diploma is 16 years old - I believe the UoB staff would not be happy with that. And I don't have time and money to start all over again for 6+ years  
 
I was thinking of the social work, but my friends tell me there's less counselling but much more "ground work" like home cleaning or watching over the kids at night shifts. I know, it's really necessary type of work, but I am best at talking and trying to find a way to help. My interests are family counselling, foster families, young parenting counselling... I am really good at working with information, computing, systematization.  
 
So I decided to seek advice on any possible ways of my further professional development and community contribution. Thanks in advance )))  
 
 
 
 
 
Edited by Nataliya, 2015-12-07 19:22:38

Agree, an entry point might be a mental health proctor to learn what our system is like. But it will be hard work for sure...and rewarding likely!

Check out the University of Manitoba website. They offer a social work degree and should be able to discuss your past education to see if any of it can be transferred as credits. They also offer the course online, but I think you may already need to be working in the field to qualify for that program. It is based out of Winnipeg though. You cannot take your social work degree at Brandon University. However Assiniboine Community College offers some counselling courses that may be helpful. As for jobs with the education in you currently possess, keep an eye on the Prairie Mountain Health Authority website or Child and Family Services or MB Government and see what they have to offer. The job descriptions should indicate what education/experience is required so it may give you a starting point on what direction you think you'd like to go.

You wouldn't be able to complete your social work degree in Brandon but could likely take some courses that would transfer to Winnipeg. Another option is Marriage and Family Therapy but again, not in Brandon. If you would be interested in Psychiatric Nursing send me a message and I can give you info on that. You can complete that here: it's a 4 year degree. You can do a Psychology degree in Brandon so you could likely contact the University to see what else you may need to update what you already have. You could contact Child and Family Services in Brandon to see what positions they have and possibly with the experience you do have you may be qualified for something therefore getting your foot in the door while you decide if you want to further your education. Good luck!

Perhaps you might consider the hairstyling profession. It is all about communication and stylist mostly council all day long as clients are with you in their happiest and saddest times. They always tell you all their problems, and you can give opinions as well as make them look good which helps more than most things to make a person feel better. Just a thought.... Many say it is the best profession in the world. The early years pay is not the greatest but after a couple years when you are established there is plenty of money to be made.

Check your inbox for a suggestion.

I have transferred courses from multiple educational institutions. Some of them older, of course none from outside this country. But do not discount BU before you have spoken to them. They may be able to give you a block/lump sum credit for the course work done in the past. Counsellors are free to speak too.

I would like to welcome you to Brandon and Canada. We are lucky to have people like you (with a sense of community) moving to our community. Your post is inspiring, I work in the public sector and know how rewarding the work is and can see why you would want to find a job where you can once again work in your chosen field. With your background in psychology and counselling as long as your education is recognized in Canada I don't see any reason why you could not step back into your old roll. Try the Childhood rehabilitation and treatment centre Brandon it is just south of Neelin High School on 10th St. You could also message me and I could suggest a couple of other opportunities.

There is a way for you to take courses online from U of M, U of W, BU, University College of the North, and St B if you are great at French yet be able to swap the credits around between institutions to get the degree.  
 
check out: http://www.ecampusmanitoba.com/  
 
There is an office at BU (in the McKenzie Building beside the library, room 006 in the basement) if you would like to have a personal chat with someone about what direction you may want to go. The BU counselors may also help you because you are a prospective student.