Sex Education

Any questions or discussions that you ONLY want to discuss with our staff or volunteers.
(Users: please do not reply to other users here.)
caligirl94
not a newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2016 1:47 pm
Age: 29
Awesomeness Quotient: My smile
Primary language: English
Pronouns: She/her
Sexual identity: Heterosexual
Location: Georgia

Sex Education

Unread post by caligirl94 »

Hello!

I have read your post about how to be a sex educator numerous times but I'm still feeling kind of confused. I know for sure that I want to go down the path of being a sex educator. I just don't know how to go about it. I'm a senior in college on track to get my bachelor's in psychology next semester. I'm also preparing to take my GRE. Once all of that is done, I need to be figuring out grad schools and what program to apply for. This is where I'm stuck at. I have absolutely no idea what program to apply for! My original plan was to go for a masters of education in school counseling and then get a certificate as a sex educator but I don't know if that's the best way to go. Do you have any suggestions? Anything would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Sam W
previous staff/volunteer
Posts: 10320
Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:06 am
Age: 33
Awesomeness Quotient: I raise carnivorous plants
Primary language: english
Pronouns: she/her
Sexual identity: queer
Location: Coast

Re: Sex Education

Unread post by Sam W »

Hi Caligirl,

This is a tricky question because the paths into sex ed, even the academic ones, are super variable. I once asked a person at Planned Parenthood who I'd interviewed with how she got into the field and the answer was something not at all related (I can't remember what, exactly). I chose to get an MSW (Masters of Social Work) because that's a common one for people in the field to have, plus it's a fairly employable degree (in the event that sex ed alone is not enough to pay the bills). I also know a lot of people who came in through a Masters of Public Health.

One thing I've done in the past is take a look at job postings that are close to what I'd want in a sex ed job and then see if there are certain degrees of experiences they tend to look for. That can help you narrow down the field of possibilities, at least a little bit.
And you to whom adversity has dealt the final blow/with smiling bastards lying to you everywhere you go/turn to and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain/and like the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.
Ashleah
previous staff/volunteer
Posts: 463
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2014 7:14 am
Age: 37
Awesomeness Quotient: "I'm a woman phenomenally"
Primary language: English
Pronouns: She/Her
Sexual identity: Straight
Location: Atlanta

Re: Sex Education

Unread post by Ashleah »

Hi Caligirl,

I have a MSW as well and I individualized my degree to focus on sexuality & health. I choose an MSW for the same reasons that Sam mentioned but I don't think there is a specific degree that is better than the others.

Sometimes it is hard to find a job that is specifically sex education, so I looked for positions where I could squeeze it in or the position was related. So I have done a lot of youth development work which involves leading groups, creating curriculum, etc. and would use those as opportunities to incorporate sex ed.

I've looked at job postings like Sam. I also looked at people who have jobs that I would love and checked out their CVs.
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post