3 February 2025
Timothy Thomas Jr. - One Student’s Career Change Journey to Becoming a Substance Use Disorder Counselor
When Timothy Thomas decided to embark on a new career path, he took his first steps with UC San Diego Extended Studies.
Now a certified substance use disorder counselor at Jackson House Recovery Center in the Golden Hill area of San Diego, California, his experience highlights how education can ignite personal growth, build professional purpose, and drive meaningful change within the community.
Thomas discovered that by transforming his own life, he is empowered to help transform the lives of those he serves.
Taking the Leap: How to Make a Career Change
Like many Extended Studies students, Thomas was an adult learner, returning to school at the age of 34. Years beyond his formative education, he was navigating personal challenges and searching for a way forward.
He discovered the Substance Use Disorder Counseling professional certificate program through the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP), a valued community partner of UC San Diego Extended Studies. SDWP’s federally recognized Substance Use Counselor apprenticeship program offered financial aid for Thomas’ classes and textbooks through a grant from the California Workforce Development Board.
“I was in financial hardship when I decided to invest in my education, and San Diego Workforce Partnership helped me with all my funding for my classes and my books,” said Thomas. “They helped me register for all the classes and just really made it easy and convenient for me.”
Despite receiving SDWP’s support, returning to school after a decade was not without its trials. Thomas’ experience is a common one for adult learners, who have the life experience to feel hesitant about making a wrong decision and ambivalent about committing time and resources.
“I was full of uncertainty and fear, so I actually ended up interviewing with three different educational institutions, one of which was UC San Diego Extended Studies,” said Thomas.
Ultimately, he felt the decision was clear.
“[UC San Diego Extended Studies] made my choice pretty simple, because they were the ones that really made me feel the most comfortable and supported,” he said. “They answered all of my questions and concerns, and they gave me a good layout of what to expect in the course.”
From Personal Experience to Career Transition
Meaningful career change is often fueled by personal experiences and the desire to pay it forward.
Thomas enrolled in the UC San Diego Extended Studies specialized certificate program with a clear objective: to become a substance abuse counselor. His path to this decision was carved from his own experience in long-term recovery. Personal work with counselors and advocates helped him turn his life around and opened up his eyes to how he might dedicate himself professionally.
I’ve had a lot of great individuals help me get back on my feet when I needed them most,” he shared,” and to be able to give back the way that they gave to me at that time, it’s something really special, and it’s brought a lot of purpose into my life.”
His career transition began with a foundation built on his past experiences. The UC San Diego Extended Studies environment helped him maintain momentum.
Supportive Instructors and a Safe Learning Environment
Thomas found that the UC San Diego Extended Studies instructors made all the difference in his learning experience.
The instructor team consists of licensed clinicians, senior administrators, academicians, and experienced substance use disorder counselors who all work under the auspices of a UC San Diego Advisory Board. Thomas felt that their professionalism was matched both by their enthusiasm for the subject matter and their sincere encouragement of their students.
“They created a very safe and supportive environment for myself and my classmates,” Thomas recalled. Through their encouragement to explore different counseling styles, he was able to define the kind of counselor he wanted to be and hone his approach.
“I wasn’t afraid to ask any kind of questions,” he noted, “but they also had this continuous thread to really challenge me and to explore and discover my type of counseling style and what type of counselor that I wanted to be.”
He confidently advises anyone on the fence about starting an Extended Studies program to take the plunge.
“One thing that I think prospective students should know about the substance use disorder counseling program is that you will be supported. So pull the trigger. If you have the opportunity to invest in your education, then take it.”
Looking Ahead: A Career in Substance Use Counseling and Beyond
Backed by a comprehensive curriculum, skilled instructors, and critical resources, Thomas felt the program prepared him well for his new career. The guidance and connections he gained helped him pass the alcohol and drug counseling exam, launching his work as a certified substance abuse counselor.
“This program helped me achieve my goals in more ways than one,” he noted, adding that the experience helped him create a solid foundation for beginning a career in a new field.
Reflecting on how the program has shaped his path, Thomas is already setting his sights on further education to become a licensed therapist specializing in substance abuse.
“Again, seeing how this program helped me pass the alcohol and drug counseling exam just earlier this year, I’m going to enjoy my time as a substance use disorder counselor for a bit,” he confessed. “But my future goal is to go back to school, now that I know I could do it.”
Thomas’s success story demonstrates how UC San Diego Extended Studies can support people at all stages of their professional lives, whether they’re exploring a new career or making a meaningful career transition in pursuit of purpose and impact.
“Entering this field and becoming a substance use disorder counselor has tremendously improved my life, and this really brought me a whole new sense of purpose.”
Substance Use Disorder Counseling Program at UC San Diego Extended Studies
The Professional Certificate Program in Substance Use Disorder Counseling is just one of almost 100 certificates available at UC San Diego Extended Studies. Led by experienced professionals, these programs emphasize real-world applications and equip students with essential skills to prepare them for rewarding careers. Designed with the needs of working adults in mind, online courses provide a convenient option for those navigating a career transition or seeking to build a new career.
The Substance Use Disorder Counseling program provides the comprehensive coursework and training needed to succeed in a very challenging and demanding career in healthcare. Designed for individuals interested in getting started in the field and those already working in it, the curriculum covers essential areas, including psychopharmacology, recovery, counseling, group leadership, and treatment team coordination. There is also a practicum requirement.
To request more information about the Substance Use Disorder Counseling program please contact the Healthcare & Behavioral Sciences department at unexhealthcare@ucsd.edu or by calling 858-534-9262.