social worer in late twenties thinking about moving from Boston to Austin (Houston: school, college) - City-Data Forum

Izzy_Bella · 03-07-2012, 02:04 PM

In a year I'll be graduating with my Masters in Social Work. I am thinking about making a big move from Boston to Austin once I get my degree. I lived in Dallas for a year, didn't really care for it and came back to Boston to finish school.

I have been to Austin a few times and after my last visit I have an itch to move back to TX. I was wondering what the job scene in social services is like in the Austin area? What is life like for a single, female, late 20 something transplant? I have friends and family in Dallas but know no one in Austin.

This wont be for another year but I do know I want to leave the East coast eventually..

Thanks!

Aquitaine · 03-07-2012, 02:30 PM

Being a large college town Austin should be great for just about any 20-something. I had a buddy at UT and visited there when he was in grad school (he went for freshman year undergrad and then a master's) and had a great time when I was in my early 20s (and am now moving there in my early 30s and would have done so sooner if I could have!)

Can't speak specifically to the social work aspect or the single lady aspect. My uninformed guess would be that Austin's social services are not going to measure up to a big city's, and less so an east coast big city. I'm sure someone else around here knows more about that for Austin than I do, though.

Austin is more expensive to live in than Dallas -- 'for most people' I hasten to add as it depends where you live. Might be more accurate to say that it's easier to find a good place to live in Dallas because the cost of housing there is (I believe) not as far above TX average as Austin's, but even so, Austin is affordable relative to Boston.

Izzy_Bella · 03-07-2012, 03:18 PM

Thank you for the reply!

As far as social services goes, I would be looking in areas that focus on addictions counseling/homelessness. It is just a matter of doing my homework. I was actually in Dallas last Friday night and it reminded me of all the reasons why I did not like it. I have a bad habit of comparing everything to Boston and Austin just seems more my speed.

I am in need of some change and the warm weather is calling me!

Thanks again!

RooCeleste · 03-08-2012, 07:23 AM

Just be aware that UT has a HUGE and very involved social work department, so there are lots and lots and lots of grads out there who already have connections in the city/area. There aren't as many jobs either, as there are grads. (I'm a licensed professional counselor, so I am in the field). Good luck!

Dr.Mom · 03-08-2012, 07:31 AM

As you may already know, Texas tends to be a low tax, low service state so there are not as many jobs available as in other locations with more generous social benefits. That said, good luck!

testmo · 03-10-2012, 02:33 PM

you will absolutely need your LMSW to even get through the door. you will need to take that exam in Texas to be licensed here. UT's social work program is in Austin so there is lots of competition. they have I believe an 80% or higher pass rate for licensing so the market is flooded with LMSWs. Houston has their large sw program at UH and there is lots of competition here. with our government you may never know if the non-profit you work for will be totally gutted 2 years down the road. every social worker i know (i am one of them) works for a larger system in either government, medical, or established foundation/outreach/clinical organizations. it's were most of the stable jobs are and they tend to continuously hire

being bilingual (spanish/english) helps immensely. if you are looking for a diverse population/diverse career fields Austin is not the best place. but for homelessness/addiction the "job scene" is on par with all the other major cities.

CptnRn · 03-10-2012, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Mom

As you may already know, Texas tends to be a low tax, low service state so there are not as many jobs available as in other locations with more generous social benefits. That said, good luck!

And the state government has had a huge budget shortfall for the next two years, resulting in cutbacks and shortages of state funding of all social services.

Izzy_Bella · 03-12-2012, 10:04 AM

Thank you all for the feedback! These are all important things to note. If a move does happen it wont be until next year. I would not make a move unless it was worth it in the long run and I appreciate the information!

RooCeleste · 03-12-2012, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CptnRn

And the state government has had a huge budget shortfall for the next two years, resulting in cutbacks and shortages of state funding of all social services.

And we have been told it WILL be worse in this upcoming biennium, after session begins next January. Might make $28 billion deficit look like pennies....

nativetexasgal · 03-12-2012, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izzy_Bella

Thank you for the reply!

As far as social services goes, I would be looking in areas that focus on addictions counseling/homelessness. It is just a matter of doing my homework. I was actually in Dallas last Friday night and it reminded me of all the reasons why I did not like it. I have a bad habit of comparing everything to Boston and Austin just seems more my speed.

I am in need of some change and the warm weather is calling me!

Thanks again!

Texas has very low per capita spending on social services as others here have already noted. As well, the legislature is most likely not inclined to raise taxes soon.

Everyone I know who is looking for work in your field is having a difficult time finding a position in Texas.

Also, comparing Boston to cities in Texas is probably difficult. Massachusetts and Texas are both wonderful states but vastly different. Don't come to Texas expecting it to be like Massachusetts, and you'll enjoy yourself here if you do move here.