Jennifer Strong Alumni Profile

Master's Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education Leads to Elementary Counseling Career

Family and Consumer Sciences Education (FCSE) alumna Jennifer Strong serves as an elementary school counselor. Before completing her FCSE master's degree, Jennifer received her bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University. While studying at Texas Tech, Jennifer would hear other students talking about the FCSE program in the College of Human Sciences and thought the program may be something she'd want to pursue in the future. Less than a year after graduating, Jennifer decided to return and pursue a master's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education.

"That was one of the best decisions I could have made," Jennifer said. "I was able to complete a post-bachelor teacher certification as part of my master's program."

After completing her master's program and teaching certification for grades 6-12 in Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Jennifer began her teaching career. Jennifer taught family and consumer sciences at the middle school level for four years and taught high school for six.

"After teaching FCS for ten years, I have now moved on to be a school counselor," Jennifer said. "Although, I am not teaching FCS anymore, I loved it. FCSE really led me to my current position as a school counselor."

Jennifer said that Texas Tech's Family and Consumer Sciences Education program prepared her for elementary school counseling because it first prepared her to be a great teacher. Upon starting her career, Jennifer was able to build healthy relationships with her students which is important as a school counselor.

"In FCS courses, you also learn about family dynamics, child development, careers, mental health, education, and so much that not only helped me prepare to be a teacher, but have also helped me become a school counselor."

Jennifer works with students to fully develop their academic, career, personal, and social abilities. She also works with school staff and the community to create a successful comprehensive developmental counseling program.

"For example, I do classroom guidance lessons, college and career readiness, individual counseling, small groups, and lunch bunches, just to name a few," Jennifer said. "Really each day is different because student needs change from day to day, so I really try to focus on what my students need the most each day."

Jennifer wears many hats as a school counselor, but the most enjoyable part of her job is helping students and making a difference in their lives every day.

Jennifer said the Family and Consumer Sciences Education program at Texas Tech accommodates many different career paths, and she would recommend it to prospective students for this reason.

"FCS is a great career field because it can lead you to so many different career opportunities. It is a field that lends itself to so many options such as, teaching, extension agent, career prep, child development careers, culinary arts, nutrition, and the list goes on."