Disclaimer: The views expressed by our interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of GradSimple. We only edit these responses for clarity. All opinions remain those of the interviewee.
- Name: Kate P.
- Year Of Graduation: 2016, 2018, and 2022
- College/University: Bergen Community College, St. John’s University and John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- Major: AS in Applied Sciences, BS in Criminal Justice and MA in Forensic Psychology
What do you do for a living? Can you share what a typical day at work or school looks like for you?
I am currently employed as a drug and alcohol counselor and in the process of accruing clinical hours for my licensure. In New Jersey, drug and alcohol counseling licensure is segmented into certified (CADC) and licensed (LCADC). I am working towards my LCADC, thus I am considered a “counselor intern” as I work under the supervision of clinically licensed individuals at my agency. Once I obtain my LCADC, I will be able to independently provide substance abuse counseling in the state of New Jersey. All that to say, I spend forty hours a week with teenagers navigating substance use disorders. My caseload ranges in age from 13 to 17 years old, and drugs of choice vary from alcohol and marijuana to cocaine and LSD. I provide individual counseling as well as group therapy on an outpatient basis. I am invested in my clients, and 90% of my job is advocacy for their needs.
My day begins with a steady stream of caffeine whilst checking the drug screen results from the day prior. I call parents, school counselors, and probation officers to provide updates and absorb any collateral information they can provide. We treat addiction under the familial disease model, so a significant portion of my work is providing psychoeducation to parents and facilitating family counseling sessions. Working with adolescents entails consistent coordination of family members, schools, the courts, and state family services. Imagine one client, with three referral sources, and three wildly different perceptions of substance abuse! Once my updates are complete, I dive into documentation until the team comes together to plan the group therapy topic and activity. I work alongside five incredible counselors, and we alternate between teams running group and individual sessions. Group ends at 7:00 PM, and thus begins the necessary re-charge for the next day!
What’s your take on your industry? Do you enjoy it, and do you see a future in it?
I enjoy my job, specifically the population I work with. Working with adolescents demands authenticity, but also provides levity to my day to day. I see a future in substance abuse counseling, accompanied by a Juris Doctor. While I believe I am a strong counselor, I think I would be an even stronger attorney. My long-term plan is to translate my counseling skills and experiential knowledge of the SUD population into legal advocacy.
What was your job search experience like after graduation? Does your current job have anything to do with your degree?
If I had known then what I know now…my job search experience after graduation was emotionally tumultuous. I was fortunate to be employed during my search (thank you, Starbucks!) but the struggle was twofold: I was unclear what professional route I wanted to pursue and I struggled with imposter syndrome. There was also an immense amount of pressure, which was largely self-induced and perpetuated by comparison. I felt insecure in my ability to network and self-conscious of my “entry-level” resume, which limited my application rate. I gained confidence over time and with more life experience and an additional degree, but if I could turn back time, I would apply anywhere and everywhere, regardless of the “five years experience” for an entry-level position!
My current job benefits from both my BS in Criminal Justice and my MA in Forensic Psychology. I understand the criminal legal system just enough to point clients in the right direction when needed, and I have a strong grasp of the psychology of criminality and deviance. I am also a certified Victim Advocate, which has been incredibly valuable in the counseling setting.
Why did you choose your undergrad major? Would you still pick this major now, if you could go back in time?
My undergrad major was a byproduct of my uncertainty. I constantly toed the line between lawyer and law enforcement. I picked up the criminal justice electives in my final year at Bergen Community College and absolutely loved them. I then transferred the degree to St. John’s and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. I would still pick this major today, and am continuously envious of the freshmen who are taking Criminal Law 101.
If we asked you three years ago, what did you think you’d be doing right now—in life or in your career?
Three years ago, in 2021, I would have begun my career in law enforcement. Now, in 2024, I recognize that my penchant for advocacy would be satiated in a legal capacity, as opposed to an enforcement capacity.
What’s your biggest struggle right now?
My biggest struggle right now is detachment. I find myself carrying over the stress of the workday into my personal life. My goal for 2025 is to fully detach and decompress each evening once my shift is complete.
If money was not a factor, what would you be working on or spending more time on?
If money wasn’t a factor, I would open an animal rescue with my boyfriend. I would still be an attorney, just with a plethora of misfit pets!
What does a fulfilling life mean to you?
A fulfilling life to me entails the ability to make a positive impact in another person’s life, while also fostering strong relationships in my own life. Healthy boundaries are critical for survival in any industry! I am devoted to my clients, but my top priority is my relationships with my family and friends.
If we traveled 3 years into the future of your life, what would you hope we’d see?
Three years into the future would be 2027, and I would be in my second year of law school at the age of 32! I will have survived 1L and embraced work in a criminal defense clinic through my law school. And, I will be happy!
What’s the biggest lesson or piece of advice you wish you’d known earlier?
You will learn something from every phase of life, and it will all be applicable in some way, shape, or form in the future. I worked as a barista at Starbucks, a receptionist at an animal hospital, a legal assistant at a criminal defense firm, and now a substance abuse counselor at a hospital.
My next target is law school, after achieving my clinical licensure in substance abuse counseling. My long-term goal is to join the ranks of the Public Defender in order to represent juveniles charged with crimes and continue to be an aggressive advocate for vulnerable populations. Every job I’ve held has taught me something to bring to the next, even if the process itself was arduous and full of surprises.
If another reader has just one takeaway from these long-winded responses: be kind to yourself during the process, “it” is going to happen, whatever “it” is.
Connect With Kate:
- LinkedIn: @kpaturzo
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