[missminnie]

So, here's how it goes. most of my life i've found school easy. I still find it easy, but the courses I thought i'd find easy are not. I thought i had a real knack for science, but i can't seem to get all of the harder questions that everyone else can. Plus, I love having a leadership role in my community. I'm in air cadets, and i teach and inspire the younger kids to become leaders as well. So, I've changed my mind on my future career and people are already applying to university. Trying to figure out how to change my 2nd semester courses will be difficult, and its stressful. but i'm sure i'll get through it. I'm hoping i get accepted also because there's only 3 universities in my region that offers what i want.

I've decided to become a social worker, and i'm wondering if any of you have any stories about it. i think it'd be very rewarding.

[gnat]

I am a social worker. It has it's ups an downs. What level of social work are you going for?

One of the difficult things about being a social worker is the pay. It is very low. Teachers complain about what they make. Social workers only dream of making a teacher's salary. Direct care positions make the leeast but are the most awarding with the warm fuzzy feeling from helping someone else. Case management positions are how you land a position working regular busimess hours, but you will spend more time completing paperwork than in actual contact with your clients.

I ended up leaving the typical social work position for a job doing case management for an insurance company. It has day hours and pays the bill where typical social work did not, but is a far cry from what I had planned to do. To top it off, I work in a job with nurses who do my exact same job only make $10,000 more than me a year based in their degree.

Originally Posted by missminnie

So, here's how it goes. most of my life i've found school easy. I still find it easy, but the courses I thought i'd find easy are not. I thought i had a real knack for science, but i can't seem to get all of the harder questions that everyone else can. Plus, I love having a leadership role in my community. I'm in air cadets, and i teach and inspire the younger kids to become leaders as well. So, I've changed my mind on my future career and people are already applying to university. Trying to figure out how to change my 2nd semester courses will be difficult, and its stressful. but i'm sure i'll get through it. I'm hoping i get accepted also because there's only 3 universities in my region that offers what i want.

I've decided to become a social worker, and i'm wondering if any of you have any stories about it. i think it'd be very rewarding.

Hi,

Lifting others' spirit out of certain mind-sets as a therapist takes much concentration and considerable lot of time and energy. Start to develop a practical viewpoint about lifestyle situations, learn to use your sensual powers to sharpen perception, increase your physical strength, eat right, enjoy life (eat chocolate as often as ur body can burn off the energy, haha!) Keep a sense of humor, have fun working with people, love people, and there is so much more to say; however I've got to go now. I love what you plan as goals. Best to you!

[missminnie]

I'm thinking about getting my masters in social work, and working with children and families, what do you do? and may i ask how much you made when you were working in social work?

[gnat]

When I worked with children I worked with therapists with a master's degree in social work who provided services to the children I worked with as well as their families. They made in the low 30,000 range and put in far more hours than 40 a week. Working for a private company you could do better, but some require you come up with your own caseload so it can be inconsistent.

If you do go for social work, I would recommend a state college. They are cheaper (you don't want to have to pay back $80,000 in school loans on a social worker's salary) and I feel provide a better education than many private schools for social workers as well as more exposure to a culturally and socioeconomic diverse field.

If you have more detailed questions for me, feel free to PM me.

[spondiferous]

Thanks, gnat, for all the input and info. I too am considering a career in social work. I have many friends who are in that field or studying to be in that field, and they have a lot of social justice- and decolonization-centered programs where I live so that makes it appeal to me even more. But it's true; my friend was looking for a job recently having just graduated with her BSW and a lot of the jobs were embarrassing in what they paid someone who'd just completed four years of specialized study and practicum experience. I guess when you get in it, it really is one of those fields you get into because you love the work.

[missminnie]

I changed my mind on going into social work because with a job in science i'd be stuck behind a desk most of my life, without being able to work with people, and working with people is what i love to do, and i think it is something i would really excel at,