My name is Clint. I am a 34 year old black man. I stopped school in the 9 grade. I left home at the age of 15 spending the next fouteen years making and learning from my mistakes. I have been to prison 4 times and used drugs during this time. I have been arrest and drug free for over 5 years. I have completed my A.A. degree, and working on my B.A. I want to get at least a masters/ Phd. In Psychology. I would like to know would I be able to do something with my M.A./ Phd. I give backwant something to society, will I be able to do it?

Go for it.

Go for it Clint... Many good counselors have been in prison or on drugs. They make some of the best prison/drug counselors out there, because you know what the person being counseled is going through or gone through.

I'm a counselor with a master's in psych. I think you would make a terrific counselor. Like J_9 said, you have lived through all those problems and have come out on top, so others would definitely benefit from your words and example. At the public library where I work, I supervise court-ordered community services workers, many of whom are black teen boys. Those kids are looking for direction and an honest, caring adult in their lives, someone who offers unconditional positive regard and an empathic ear.

I can only imagine the positive impact you would have as a counselor, especially a black male counselor!

Ambition is a special thing Clinton.

"If you can dream it, you can accomplish it";
-Abraham Lincoln.

If you are serious, really serious, don't quit trying (ever)and stay with it, there is hardly anything that you can't do. The fact that you have advanced your education is a credit to you, you should be very proud of yourself Clinton. There are always obstacles, everyone has them, some are pretty good ones to climb over. That doesn't mean that they can't be overcome.

When you say you want to "give back to society" what do you have in mind, anything in particular?

An example is myself, (no I haven't been to prison) I came from a very poor, broken family with 7 brothers and sisters. But I knew I didn't want to live my life without some success. I married, two children (now with 4 grandchildren), and it took 6 years of night school to get my BS degree (that's all). I worked long hours, then I started my own company; failed, started another small company; failed. This time I lost everything-everything. I lost my wife (divorced), lost my home, my income, and ended up on "skid row" for a short time. Learned a lot about life, but I knew I had to continue trying. Got a job in sales, became Sales Manager then V. P. of Sales. Then I was fired (office politics). I started another new company with a partner 15 years ago at age 47. Now I have everything that I ever dreamed of Clinton. A new loving wife (married 5 years ago), my kids now live near me w/ great grandkids, and my company is doing over $7 million per year.

Was it easy-never, and sometimes it still isn't. Did I quit when it would have been so easy, so many times-no. I guess what I am saying is; you do only live ONCE, we need to take every opportunity to make ourselves better.

Besides the financial success, I have learned so much about myself, I have grown to appreciate all the things that friends and family have to offer, and I learned to trust again. I have grown so much in what seems like so little time.

I sincerely wish you ALL the best, It is so refreshing to hear someone with your attitude.

Good luck, always, keep going for it,
Stringer

Thanks it's stories like yours that help me to keep my head up. I know there are peolple who have not done anything illegal, but still have it rough. I anticiate a hard road buts its OK! I just don't want waste my time. This might soung crazy, but I heard a voice that says it will not be. THANKS!

Clint, you are in a GREAT place to be a counselor right now.

To show you there are other stories like Stringers, here's mine...

In high school, some 25+ years ago, I always wanted to go into the medical field in one capacity or another. Doctor, nurse, psychologist, pharmacist, it didn't matter... I just wanted it. BUT, I had no faith in myself... thought I was not smart enough, came from a rather wealthy family, but not wealthy enough to pay for my education.

So I settled... I settled for the first man who proposed to me because I thought I could not get any better. No college education... no real world experience... Pizza Hut was the best job I could get...

Well, I had 2 children by my husband, life got rough... I suffered postpartum depression with both pregnancies, my husband cheated on me... the whole world knew it, except for me. I left him and went home to my parents. My ex effectively stole custody of the 2 children from me (long story, another post) and I met a good man from a wonderful family.

This good man and I are now married and have 2 children of our own. I suffered breast cancer, and got interested again in medicine. I worked in the medical-malpractice end of the legal field and the attorneys I worked for, along with the children's pediatricians said that I had a wonderful working knowledge of medicine and that I should go back to school.

Well, due to the encouragement of the doctors, the attorneys, and my current mother-in-law, I am now one of the top of my class (at age 43) in a nursing school that is highly competitive and almost impossible to be accepted to.

You see Clint, it's all about how bad you want it, and what you are willing to do to get the golden key.

You have a background that many places (drug rehab centers for example), are desperately looking for.

How can you counsel a drug addicted teen or young adult if you have never experienced what they are going through? You can't effectively treat them without having experienced what that patient is going through.

Good luck to you, you can to this if you really want it.

I obtained an MA in Clinical Psychology in 2002 and work as a counselor in the western suburbs of Chicago. In early 1991, I had been arrested for DUI and went through an intensive outpatient program. In 2004, I applied for licensure in the state of Illinois... they ask for information about past arrests. I answered their questions truthfully (fully knowing that there was a possibility that I wouldn't be licensable), and attached documentation showing that I had been discharged by the court, and had completed my treatment. I also included a letter from my pastor testifying to my character and to my sobriety.

The state granted me my license. Echoing what others have said, I'd encourage you to go with your plan and get your MA or MS. In many states, the PhD doesn't buy you that much in the job market - here in Illinois, you can practice independently with an LCPC or LCSW. Check into the requirements in your state, and continue pursuing your dream.

My name is Clint. I am a 34 yaer old black man. I stoped shcool in the 9 grade. I left home at the age of 15 spending the next fouteen years amking and learning from my mistakes. I have been to prison 4 times and used drugs during this time. I have been arrest and drug free for over 5 years. I have completed my A.A. degree, and working on my B.A. I want to get at least a masters/ Phd. in Psychology. I would like to know would I be able to do something with my M.A./ Phd. I give backwant something to society, will I be able to do it?

It's stories like yours Clint that give me hope. When I was 14 I was arrested with 5 felonies and a mis. I also got out of high school when I was in 9th grade. I got expelled so my foster parents made me get my G.E.D. I came from a really troubled childhood. (Mom on crack and an alcoholic that was in and out of jail for abusing my little brothers and myself. My dad was never there for me and neither was the rest of my family, hence the foster parents.) I really want to be a counselor or a psychiatrist. Maybe even a social worker. I would love to help the kids that are going through what I went through and let them know they aren't alone.

There is two types of people Clint, the type that let their environment make them and one like us that rise above what life has handed us and become greater and stronger people.

Good luck to you. I have faith in you.

Emily

It's stories like yours Clint that give me hope. When I was 14 I was arrested with 5 felonies and a mis. I also got out of high school when I was in 9th grade. I got expelled so my foster parents made me get my G.E.D. I came from a really troubled childhood. (Mom on crack and an alcoholic that was in and out of jail for abusing my little brothers and myself. My dad was never there for me and neither was the rest of my family, hence the foster parents.) I really want to be a counselor or a psychiatrist. Maybe even a social worker. I would love to help the kids that are going through what I went through and let them know they aren't alone.

There is two types of people Clint, the type that let their environment make them and one like us that rise above what life has handed us and become greater and stronger people.

Good luck to you. I have faith in you.

Emily
I have seen a lot of things, but they were cosiquences of my actions. Your story is different, you were a victim, I took the victimstance. To be able to shake being a victim and taking control of your life is an inspiring step.(putting it lightly) You inspire me! Thanks for the response.

Like I said I'm my rating, you need to visualize the "house" you are building everyday. Let yourself be mortal. You will make more mistakes. Make it about more than you, but let yourself enjoy the moment too.

You've already shaken some chains.

You have a reason to stand tall.

If you find yourself stuck, if others stand in your way... I think you are in place where you can make your own way. I hope others embrace your efforts and welcome you.

If they don't, its OK. They are human too...

Just make this about taking the right steps day by day. You are building that house, man... one nail at a time and one board at a time, with your own hands. Nobody is going to take that from you.

I have seen alot of things, but they were cosiquences of my actions. Your story is different, you were a victim, I took the victimstance. To be able to shake being a victim and taking control of your life is an inspiring step.(putting it lightly) You inspire me! Thanks for the response.

Hey you don't have to thank me. That's what I'm here for hun.

And thank you very much. I've never been called inspiring. I don't like to call myself a "victim of circumstance" though. To me it kind of seems like a weak way to say "oh woe is me, I've had a bad life." That sounds a little harsh but I've just always tried to take the negative things in my life and turn them into a positive aspect somehow. Believe me it is a very hard thing to do but it's like an art in a way. You feel so rewarded when you do it. At this point you are probably thinking what is this dumb girl talking about. Here's an example... My mother and father being terrible parents and both being alcoholics and drug addicts---- I do not do drugs and I very rarely drink. And I know for a fact that I wouldn't EVER treat my children like that.

You see what I mean? It really works. :D

Hey you don't have to thank me. That's what I'm here for hun.

And thank you very much. I've never been called inspiring. I don't like to call my self a "victim of circumstance" though. To me it kinda seems like a weak way to say "oh woe is me, I've had a bad life." That sounds a little harsh but I've just always tried to take the negative things in my life and turn them into a positive aspect somehow. Believe me it is a very hard thing to do but it's like an art in a way. You feel so rewarded when you do it. At this point you are probably thinking what is this dumb girl talking about. Here's an example.... My mother and father being terrible parents and both being alcoholics and drug addicts---- I do not do drugs and I very rarely drink. And I know for a fact that I wouldn't EVER treat my children like that.

You see what I mean? It really works. :D
I understand exactly where you are coming from. The art of " Finding the Silver Lining" that is what I want to pass on to other people.

Clint, why not try your hand here? Why not see what a difference you can make right here?

Start answering questions, start helping people... It may just surprise you how good you are in this field.

There are many faith based organisations across the country, being funded by grants that deal with setting up, and running programs aimed at providing jobs, and education to teens and adults who are making the transition from jail to the real world. Counselors are always needed, to get your foot in the door. I have been volunteering the last 5 years to these and other programs and it is rewarding work, and you get in on the ground floor of new oppurtunities. Check out Christian Charities in your area, I'm sure they need plenty of help. Glad to have you aboard, and Best of luck on your endeavor.

Hi Clint--

What Tal said. Don't feel like you have to wait until your education is finished to start using your gift. Education can help you understand better how it works and how to use it more effectively (and qualify you to get paid for it), but personal experience plus real empathy is the key, and you have that, so run with it.

Find a good volunteer program and give it part (but not all) of your energies and focus, keeping the rest directed toward your education and employment. Contribute on this site as you can, but face-to-face contact is vital for the profound change that you have the ability to evoke in people in precarious circumstances and states of mind. Choice still rules, and you can't save everybody from themselves, but when they do get it, it's so sweet.

You have my deepest respect, and my very best wishes for continued progress on your path.

I agree with J_9 with your background and your degree you should be able to at least give 'pep talks' in schools and jails. If you come up with a really good motivational approach I bet you could really do great.
I have heard several stories of people who once broke in places or cars that now work with police and profilers to show them how criminals think, break alarm codes and help solve crimes.