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title: From Spark to Service | South Dakota Behavioral Health Careers
description: Explore behavioral health careers through inspiring stories, educational resources, and practical guidance. Discover your pathway in this rewarding field with our engaging podcast and tools.
---

### Behavioral health help is available.

If you or someone you know is living with suicidal thoughts, mental health concerns, a substance use disorder or other emotional distress, find help here. If you are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, call, text, or chat 988.

[Find Mental Health Treatment

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](https://sdbehavioralhealth.gov/mental-health/treatment?hsLang=en) [Find Substance Use Treatment

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](https://sdbehavioralhealth.gov/substance-use/treatment?hsLang=en) [Call 988 - the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

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](tel:988) [Chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

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](https://chat.988lifeline.org/)

Need help now?

# From Spark to Service

## Getting Started

<https://sdbehavioralhealthcareers.sd.gov/hubfs/SD%20Behavioral%20Health%20Careers/Map%20Your%20Career%20Pathway%20-%20Fillable%20Form.pdf?hsLang=en>

Map your career pathway!

Download this worksheet to take notes while you explore behavioral health careers and plan out your own career pathway.

 Download Worksheet

1

Select an Occupation

2

Education

3

Licensing and Credentialing

[ Occupations ](https://sdbehavioralhealthcareers.sd.gov/explore-careers?hsLang=en)

[ Education Programs ](https://sdbehavioralhealthcareers.sd.gov/education-programs?hsLang=en)

[ Licensing Information ](https://sdbehavioralhealthcareers.sd.gov/licensing-and-credentialing?hsLang=en)

![FSTS Gradient Logo](https://sdbehavioralhealthcareers.sd.gov/hs-fs/hubfs/SD%20Behavioral%20Health%20Careers/FSTS%20Gradient%20Logo.png?width=450&height=450&name=FSTS%20Gradient%20Logo.png "FSTS Gradient Logo")

## About the "From Spark to Service" Podcast

This podcast brings you authentic, firsthand stories from South Dakota professionals in the behavioral health field. Discover what sparked their interest in a career in service, how they got started, and what keeps them motivated.

Through candid conversations, you’ll gain an understanding of the various roles in the behavioral health field, the rewards and challenges of their work, and lessons they’ve learned along the way.

 Whether you’re exploring a career in behavioral health or are simply curious about the journey of others, these stories are sure to ignite a spark of your own!   

## **Episodes**

##### Episode 1  |  Shaina Smykle - Certified Prevention Specialist

[Click here to view full screen.](https://youtu.be/3fm3ZUvrDYM?si=oIrBNJ0jc5Htoi1n)

For our first episode, we welcome Shaina Smykle, a Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) who is the Substance Use Prevention Program Manager at the South Dakota Department of Social Services, Division of Behavioral Health. In this episode, Shaina shares the experience that sparked her interest in the field, how she got to where she is today, the challenges and rewarding aspects of her job, and advice for those who are interested in working in prevention.

##### Episode 2  |  Randee Peterson - Certified Addiction Counselor

[Click here to view full screen.](https://youtu.be/QXHSvgPCagE?si=U78VpO5ZwnNOWpdm)

Randee Peterson is a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) dedicated to ensuring individuals receive the care they need to recover from substance use disorder. With a background in criminal justice, outpatient counseling, and a management role in the publicly-funded system, Randee’s experience provides a multifaceted perspective of the addiction field in South Dakota. In this conversation, Randee speaks candidly about her personal experience with compassion fatigue and the rewards and challenges of working in the field. She also discusses what success means to her and how her persistence, passion for stigma reduction, and compassion for others motivate her. 

## Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel!

[ Subscribe ](https://www.youtube.com/@SDBehavioralHealthCareers)