Paige Petrillo
McLaughlin
English 12
5 October 2018
Career Interview
1. What schooling or training do you have? Was it necessary to obtain this position?
I attended Slippery Rock University and obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a
minor in Criminology. Having a degree was absolutely necessary for this position.
5. Are there any other experiences, work or non-work-related, that has helped you be
successful in your career?
I have several personal experiences that have helped me understand the addict lifestyle and
what it all entails. I firmly believe that these experiences have helped me obtain the position that
I am currently in.
6. Would you choose the same career field/job if you were just starting out again?
I would still choose to be a counselor if I had to start over. No doubt.
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7. Is your job what you expected it to be? Why or why not?
This job changes on a regular basis. People, approaches, of course company policies and many
other things. Expectations are always changing.
14. Who do you work with and what is/are those relationships like?
I work closely with all the clinical staff, occasionally with medical staff and administration. The
relationships are positive for the most part. Again, COMMUNICATION is a must, not only with
the patients but also your staff.
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15. Is teamwork essential to this position? Explain.
Teamwork is MOST important in a field like this. We all have to work together, do jobs that
aren't really ours to do, pick up the pieces as they fall and help out as needed. We all have to be
on the same page and support each other no matter what, especially in regards to dealing with
patients.
18. Does your company take part in any volunteering or giving back to the community?
We utilize our community resources as much as possible to help the patients.
19. What is the beginning salary for someone in this job? Top salary?
As a counselor at Discovery House, starting pay is between 15-17 dollars an hour depending on
prior experience. Counselors are not salaried employees. Supervisors and Directors starting
pay could be anywhere from 45,000-65,000 a year, again all depending on experience in the
field and time with the company.
20. What advice can you give to me or someone else who is just starting out?
Go to college, get your Bachelor’s degree, get a Master’s degree, get your certifications as
needed and all the education you can get. Nowadays, a Bachelor's degree isn't going to be
enough, go all the way. Don't worry about the cost of school, everyone who goes to college is in
debt, it's the norm, trust me. You have your entire life to work and pay loans back. Be the best
you can be. Learn to love yourself, be proud of your accomplishments and even your failures
because overall, they shape you into the person you are and you wouldn't be you without it all.
Best of luck :-).
Interviewee Information:
Melissa Gregori
Clinical Supervisor
Discovery House CTC of Acadia
814-768-7575 ext. 217
(No email listed because she was not sure if she could give out her work email as to not get in
trouble. Better to be safe than sorry, I guess.)