Careers, Cheaters, and the Paranoid Professor

Careers, Cheaters, and the Paranoid Professor: A True Story and Practical Advice for Career Counseling

Teresa Lusk, Pastor & Board Certified Biblical Counselor

Executive & Media Coach

During the fall of 2015 I started my Master’s degree program to become a professional counselor. I was only in my second class and had been experiencing a high level of anxiety which drove me right into a professional counselor’s office who talked me off the ledge of the lies I believed about myself and my abilities. She didn’t quite understand how I had successfully pushed myself from being an 8th-grade dropout to junior college, and on to work on my bachelor’s degree. She insisted that the proof of my abilities was in the past — you have done it before, you will do it again!

So there I was, only two classes into the program when I met Dr. Fisher. I would like to describe Dr. Fisher as a peculiar man, although a licensed mental health practitioner might use a DSM diagnosis for his personality. Fisher was hyperparanoid about students cheating. He was an older gentleman who had been teaching for years and dealing with cheating little college students. But my program was made up of adults 25 years and older; some were even grandparents, so I didn’t understand his distrust.

One day, right before our first exam, Dr. Fisher had us bring our purses, backpacks, coats, sweaters, and hats to the very front of the room. I felt like we were on an episode of NYPD Blue. We were allowed to have only a pencil and a scantron. While I was not thrilled, I was getting an early glimpse into the professional counseling world.

Once all our belongings were confiscated, our rights were read to us, and we were informed of the ramifications of any academic dishonesty. After the pre-cheat crackdown was done, I was afraid of my own pencil.

One would be certain—bet their own life—that no one would attempt to cheat after that shake down. But then there’s always that one who wants to reach their next level of organized crime. After finishing my exam, I handed my scantron to Fisher and started walking toward the exit, when a whisper called me: “Haaaay, what’s the answer for number 42?” Can you believe this?! Who in their ‘I just binge-watched a conspiracy theory marathon’ mind would try that? I kept walking, but fast!

This happens to be the same student who had confessed in an earlier class that his parents forced him to get a degree in professional counseling because he was slacking off in his accounting degree. Can I confess that there were several students of all ages who were in the professional counseling degree program for the wrong reasons? It created anxiety in my thinking about the broken individuals who would end up with these people. I had already been practicing for several years as a Board Certified Biblical Counselor, and I knew very intimately the significant amount of people who needed a compassionate and caring professional counselor. Having a degree in mental health was not enough. But passion and calling combined with compassion was the key.

That is why I am dedicated to guiding the lost, the uninformed, and the curious—helping them find clarity and direction before they invest time and energy into the wrong path.

So, what can you do to avoid being like the student forced into a professional counseling program, or the other grown-ups who simply had no direction but thought professional counseling sounded “fun”? Some selected the program because they were bored with their current job; others because they felt they were getting too old for the physical demands of their work. While parts of those reasons are understandable, they can ultimately be detrimental to the client—and eventually to themselves.

Below are some easy, fun tips that can help smooth out the process for your career search and change:

• Go back to your childhood. What can you trace that would point to passions and giftings? I loved playing teacher, heels and all. Those were the days when teachers wore heels to work—and I loved the idea! Today, I wear heels almost daily; they remind me to walk with confidence and purpose.

• Are you often watching certain types of TV shows or listening to podcasts? If you’re always drawn to law enforcement dramas, maybe you don’t have the energy or desire to pursue your dream as a cop, but you could still find a related career in that field.

• What type of schedule do you hope to have? If you prefer shorter days, becoming an ER doctor or nurse may not be the best fit, but a traditional doctor’s office would be suitable.

• If gaining education for your chosen career is a must, do you feel comfortable investing the time and money to reach your goal? Measuring your investment in dollars and years is wise—and if you are willing, that is certainly a plus.

• Thoroughly research the work responsibilities of the role you want to pursue. If you want to professionally counsel students in a school but find out that school counselors spend more time pushing paperwork than giving advice, you may want to reconsider your path.

• Ask yourself if this path is something you are pursuing because someone you love or respect wants you to follow it—or if it is solely what you aspire to do. If it’s the latter, it’s time to live your dreams, not the vision of others.

• Reflect on your work history: What tasks have you truly enjoyed doing? Which ones would you happily never do again? Compare these to the potential career path you’re considering to see if they align.

• Lastly, research the educational and continuing education requirements. Are you happy to invest in the ongoing learning this career demands? Is the continuing education worth the job?

Choosing the right career path is a journey of self-discovery and purpose. If you feel unsure or stuck, professional guidance can make all the difference. Reach out, ask questions, and step confidently toward a fulfilling future.

About the Author:

Teresa Lusk is a counselor, executive and media coach, journalist, and faith leader. She draws on her diverse experience to offer practical, compassionate guidance for those facing challenges like unemployment. Teresa blends encouragement with real-world tools to help individuals rebuild confidence, navigate tough transitions, and communicate with clarity. For coaching or counseling appointments, contact Teresa at teresa@teresalusk.com or 214-552-6470.

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