Social work jobs in Orlando?? (Delray Beach, Westchester: sales, apartment, for rent)

[sick of nyc life]

So, my family and I have decided to move to Florida (orlando area) and were initially very excited about the idea. However, I am realizing that finding a job in Orlando is next to impossible. I am a social worker living in Westchester, New York and lets just say the salary is A LOT different here than it is in Orlando. Would anyone happen to know or have an opinion about the prospect of this sort of work in Orlando? (or any part of Florida, for that matter) At this point, I am open to hearing more about different parts of Florida that may be hiring social workers. I mean, I'd like to think that I didn't bust my behind at NYU to make $34,000 p/year!! I know I will make a lot less than I do in NY but wow...that would be a huge paycut!!

Anyhow, I have two elementary school aged children and obviously, the school districts are important although it seems, Florida as a whole, is struggling. Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions?

I am really looking forward to living in a house rather than a small cramped apartment where I pay $1,450 p/mo... and my children are really craving a nice yard where they can play instead being stuck in front of the tube all day.

Please, I would really appreciate any feedback or suggestions with regard to jobs, homes, different areas, school...anything, as this whole relocation thing is very overwhelming.

Thanks!

[chinesedoll]

I am so glad I came across your post.
I moved here April of last year with a B.S. in Human Service and a M.A. in Human Service. My degree is suppose to give me an array of options in regards to working in social services (hospital, prison, schools, rehab services, developmentally disable sectors, etc. You catch my drift). Well, the only job I managed to get is cleaning the butts of developmentally disabled people which pays under $25,000 yearly.

The job market is terrible here and if you do not know someone to get you in into a company, then forget it.

You may try Children's Home Society even though they drag their feet when it comes to the hiring process. I interviewed with them in May. They contacted me in June. It seems promising even though I was told they are encountering a funding problem right now.

You should also register with ["jobs.myflorida.com] (state) and keep checking indeed.com. Use "social worker/social service/case worker, etc.) as your keywords and you'll see jobs. The only thing you can do is try.

I live in Winter Garden and I love it. I love Florida actually. The place is clean, laid back and just a better place to raise a family. I own a 3 bedroom townhouse in a gated community with a swimming pool and I pay less than what you pay for rent.

Do not be discouraged. You simply have to plan well. I think the reasons for the low wages is because we do not pay a city tax which in a way is great.

I lived in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Newark, New Jersey and I would not trade Florida for the world. I am pretty young (40) so don't believe the hype that Florida is for old people either.

Good luck!

[sick of nyc life]

Thank you so much for replying to me. This is very helpful and I'm definitely going to check out those links. I guess the keyword is "patience". It is surely discouraging to see that the job market is so tough. Than one has to hope that if one lands the job, everything works out so onecould afford his/her mortgage. But, I will remain positive and hopefully something will come through.

Thanks!

PS What do you think about the schools?

[nicoleba]

A fellow student from Delray Beach, FL who attended my MSW program in NYC (Yeshiva U) has regrets because Florida pays below the nation in MSW jobs. She is earning $32K currently, and living at home with her parents. I quit the MSW program after one year. I have other friends who finished-- one is teaching in Brooklyn, earning less than she earned before the degree doing freelance jobs, another guy went on to accupuncture school. All of the above are still repaying student loans.

An MSW averages $36-$42 anywhere in USA, so one is forced to live in an extremely low cost of living city to remain in the profession. When does being noble become being stupid? All MSW programs use you as a worker in field placement, unpaid, and you pay them? Not to bash the profession, but most faculty I met left and went on to Master in Public Health or Doctorate program. Occupational Handbook states social work as highest burnout job. The only satisfied MSWs I have known are in private practice, self employed, and run it like a business, which may be unethical, in my opinion.

I would suggest to you, get out now and into something else. Did you know most people go into social work to resolve childhood issues of others not believing they are good or because they understand rejection, having been emotionally unsupported as children? Read "Reinventing your Life", it will tell you about it. I got hired in sales using my background with people and now earn much more. Plus, it is more positive and I am getting paid what I deserve. Are you willing to live in poverty to support the needs of those in poverty? Unless you have someone else's income to help you, reconsider.

[DailyJournalist]

Try the Office of the Public Defender, Ninth Judicial Circuit.

[Challen01]

Also, it is very beneficial to be bilingual in that field here in Florida. I think another poster mentioned www.employflorida.com, that has had some social work openings lately. Good luck!

[sick of nyc life]

Originally Posted by nicoleba

A fellow student from Delray Beach, FL who attended my MSW program in NYC (Yeshiva U) has regrets because Florida pays below the nation in MSW jobs. She is earning $32K currently, and living at home with her parents. I quit the MSW program after one year. I have other friends who finished-- one is teaching in Brooklyn, earning less than she earned before the degree doing freelance jobs, another guy went on to accupuncture school. All of the above are still repaying student loans.

An MSW averages $36-$42 anywhere in USA, so one is forced to live in an extremely low cost of living city to remain in the profession. When does being noble become being stupid? All MSW programs use you as a worker in field placement, unpaid, and you pay them? Not to bash the profession, but most faculty I met left and went on to Master in Public Health or Doctorate program. Occupational Handbook states social work as highest burnout job. The only satisfied MSWs I have known are in private practice, self employed, and run it like a business, which may be unethical, in my opinion.

I would suggest to you, get out now and into something else. Did you know most people go into social work to resolve childhood issues of others not believing they are good or because they understand rejection, having been emotionally unsupported as children? Read "Reinventing your Life", it will tell you about it. I got hired in sales using my background with people and now earn much more. Plus, it is more positive and I am getting paid what I deserve. Are you willing to live in poverty to support the needs of those in poverty? Unless you have someone else's income to help you, reconsider.

I see you are very passionate about why one should not go into this field...and while I agree that I will not become a millionaire, it is still my passion...and as for your comment about wanting to go into this field because of unresolved childhood issues-> it is unfair to make such generalizations - let's not forget you seriously considered this same profession at one time.

Anyhow, I posted this thread to gather opinions with regard to social work jobs in Florida NOT to compare professions. I am very happy with my profession actually...I currently live in NY making well over the amount you suggested in your post. I was curious to see what it would be like to live in Florida as a social worker.Obviously, it's not as "lucrative" if you will, as I originally thought. I honestly don't think Florida pays ANYONE (regardless of profession) well from what I have researched. So, I have since decided that this would not be the right move for me. NY may have a higher cost of living, but it definitely has better schools and much higher paying jobs. Though I am "sick of nyc life", I am willing to continue to sacrifice and build a cushion so that when I am ready to move to Florida, I won't have to depend on Florida's really low wages.

[DailyJournalist]

Originally Posted by sick of nyc life

I see you are very passionate about why one should not go into this field...and while I agree that I will not become a millionaire, it is still my passion...and as for your comment about wanting to go into this field because of unresolved childhood issues-> it is unfair to make such generalizations - let's not forget you seriously considered this same profession at one time.

Anyhow, I posted this thread to gather opinions with regard to social work jobs in Florida NOT to compare professions. I am very happy with my profession actually...I currently live in NY making well over the amount you suggested in your post. I was curious to see what it would be like to live in Florida as a social worker.Obviously, it's not as "lucrative" if you will, as I originally thought. I honestly don't think Florida pays ANYONE (regardless of profession) well from what I have researched. So, I have since decided that this would not be the right move for me. NY may have a higher cost of living, but it definitely has better schools and much higher paying jobs. Though I am "sick of nyc life", I am willing to continue to sacrifice and build a cushion so that when I am ready to move to Florida, I won't have to depend on Florida's really low wages.

Trust me this is the best decision you ever made!