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I was in the same position with a job that I couldn't really move up in/going nowhere. If it makes you feel any better, I see a lot of people my age and older on campus. Some are just getting their BA/BS and others are in grad school. I see a lot of jobs that require social work (both bsw and msw) in the field of aging and also for work with kids. Low pay is always a possibility but you have a much better chance at a long term career with the degree. Good luck!
Thanks! I've been reading up on possibilities for loan forgiveness for public service via social work, and also the "Pay as you Go" loan payment option if I end up not making much money!
Just curious, but do you know much about social work in the field of corrections/criminal justice, either actually working with inmates or (preferably) working with prisoners after release/prisoner reentry? I have been researching but I'm not finding much yet and this is a field that I am STRONGLY passionate about and interested in. I am interested in the senior population as well but want to explore a variety of possibilities.
I'm also trying to figure out, if I go this route, how to best find related work before applying for grad school when my major is English. I think it will help to have some relevant experience before applying but trying to figure out how that would work realistically without a BSW. Unless I go straight to grad school.. ?
I'll give you my two cents as someone that works in a small public library. I love my job and there are jobs out there. We had an intern last summer that had just graduated college and got multiple job interviews and two offers before the summer was out. In PA, to be a school librarian you must be certified to teach k-12 in library science, however that is not needed for public libraries, although if you have any ambition to be a director the MLS would be necessary. There are bookmobiles around here in the larger cities.
I would highly suggest volunteering at a local library while doing your MLS, if that is the direction you choose. Every one of our interns and volunteer catalogers got jobs at other local libraries or colleges after helping us out.
Just curious, but do you know much about social work in the field of corrections/criminal justice, either actually working with inmates or (preferably) working with prisoners after release/prisoner reentry? I have been researching but I'm not finding much yet and this is a field that I am STRONGLY passionate about and interested in.
If you stay where you're at, most of these jobs will be with the county, TDCJ, and TJJD. They usually require a bachelor's degree in criminal justice (not police science or law enforcement), sociology, psychology, human services, behavioral science, social work, etc. Some of the jobs at TJJD will hire you at a higher level if you have a master's degree in one of those subjects and are licensed as an LMFT, LPC, or social worker.
Thanks! I've been reading up on possibilities for loan forgiveness for public service via social work, and also the "Pay as you Go" loan payment option if I end up not making much money!
Just curious, but do you know much about social work in the field of corrections/criminal justice, either actually working with inmates or (preferably) working with prisoners after release/prisoner reentry? I have been researching but I'm not finding much yet and this is a field that I am STRONGLY passionate about and interested in. I am interested in the senior population as well but want to explore a variety of possibilities.
I'm also trying to figure out, if I go this route, how to best find related work before applying for grad school when my major is English. I think it will help to have some relevant experience before applying but trying to figure out how that would work realistically without a BSW. Unless I go straight to grad school.. ?
Thanks so much for your input!
There was a girl in my class that got her MA in Criminal Justice and a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology. Her BA/BS in Criminal Justice or Sociology. She is interested in aging prisoners - compassionate release and reentry into society. There is some interest in that area due to the aging population in the correctional system.
Whatever I choose, I will be going to grad school, so I need to find something that is not simply "hot" right now but fairly stable and chances will be good for me to actually be able to get a job when I graduate.
IMHO career advancement might seem to have bright prospects by choosing what is "hot", but really in the long run it all boils down to what you really love and what you're really good at. Today's industries aren't the same as they were a few decades ago. You could see a lot of people mobilizing into cross-functionalities. It either speaks for lower competition barriers or for people's realization about their actual passion. Just my two cents.
I'm not sure where you live, but it can be very difficult to find teaching jobs in certain parts of the country nowdays. Getting a permanent teaching job in the Northeast, especially New York State, its a nightmare. Has a lot to do with state budget problems and student enrollment is lower than ever. This could be the opposite of where you're from though. If you decide to go for teaching you will need to see if the job market for teachers is good in your area- otherwise you'll have to be willing to relocate or get your master's in something else.
My cousin is a media specialist, which is the more modern term for a librarian. She's been working at a local library for a couple years in the young adult section and likes it. Although it might be going down the same road as teaching because budgets for libraries are being cut back in New York. Again, this could be different where you live.
Personally I think social work is the best choice. You can work for many different sectors unlike teaching and library science from hospitals, doctor's offices, government, schools, rehabilitation centers, non-profit organizations, etc. You mentioned working in geriatrics, being 41 I think you'd do well with geriatric social work. Geriatrics is a growing field of course. I could be wrong, but I feel senior citizens might be more comfortable with a middle age social worker than someone in their early to mid 20s.
I wish that my undergrad had been in social work. It is a much more flexible degree than some others. But you will probably not get rich with it which seems to be the main criteria of many students.
IMHO career advancement might seem to have bright prospects by choosing what is "hot", but really in the long run it all boils down to what you really love and what you're really good at. Today's industries aren't the same as they were a few decades ago. You could see a lot of people mobilizing into cross-functionalities. It either speaks for lower competition barriers or for people's realization about their actual passion. Just my two cents.
LOL, I laugh, because I have some idea of what I am good at but I need to understand how that translates into a career.
I am good at being resourceful, I am good at bargain hunting, dumpster diving, thrift store shopping, turning junk into cash... I am good at wasting hours arguing on the internet. I can make something out of nothing. I am good at survival, coming up with solutions to seemingly impossible problems because as a mom, I have no choice to give up. I have a "good eye" with respect to aesthetics. I am good at correcting poorly written documents and I'm good at "wasting" hours hidden away with a good book. I am good at researching anything that strikes my fancy, just to learn about it, or to prove a point, or explore some possibility. I am good at understanding where people are coming from and why they make the choices they make. I am good at seeing the gray areas.
I can see how a lot of this (resourcefulness, determination, research skills, and simply having had some big personal struggles in my own life) would translate into a successful career in social work, but I also have concerns because I get impatient with people who are "Yes, but..." sorts who will never ever actually help themselves and want to ask over and over again for "advice" only to ignore it.
As for what I love doing though; I love watching Netflix and reading books and having long discussions with family and friends. I love thrift store and garage sale shopping. I love selling something for $40 that I picked up for $2 and shined up a bit. I just don't see that continuing to work for me long term as part of some grand plan if I ever want to travel, or have money to retire.
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Originally Posted by ThinkingElsewhere
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Personally I think social work is the best choice. You can work for many different sectors unlike teaching and library science from hospitals, doctor's offices, government, schools, rehabilitation centers, non-profit organizations, etc. You mentioned working in geriatrics, being 41 I think you'd do well with geriatric social work. Geriatrics is a growing field of course. I could be wrong, but I feel senior citizens might be more comfortable with a middle age social worker than someone in their early to mid 20s.
What? Middle age? That's not me. I'm only 42 (just had a b-day)! LOL. Sorry, I'm not offended. I'm just 2 years into this age bracket and not yet ready to self-apply that term! I still feel 20 (mentally). Physically, well, that's another story.
I agree with you though, the variety is what appeals to me. I don't like to work with someone breathing down my neck, and I like to move around, preferably on a daily basis (as in visiting with clients or going from one workplace to another), if not daily then at least having the option to work in a different capacity without being locked in to anything. I have a gypsy spirit.
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Originally Posted by DogMomDeb
I wish that my undergrad had been in social work. It is a much more flexible degree than some others. But you will probably not get rich with it which seems to be the main criteria of many students.
I am wishing mine had been too, now, but too late to worry about it. I have no desire to be rich. I've lived for a long time with five people in my household on an income generally below the federal poverty levels (back to the resourceful thing). I know how to live on "nothing" or very close to it. I obviously want to branch out a bit beyond that but I have no dollar signs in my eyes in my grand plan.
I want to continue to live frugally but with some options many take for granted.. I'd like to have health insurance again.. been a long time and there is only so much community sliding scale clinics can do... and I'd like to be able to travel (frugally), ideally overseas but I'm happy to start with just the US since I have seen so little of it. I'm much much more concerned about life experiences than I am about 'stuff' and I have no desire to collect 'stuff' in any regard. I couldn't care less about the type of house I live in or what car I drive as long as it's safe and decent. I'm about as far as you can get from being materialistic but I'd like to see things and places and share those experiences with my loved ones.
My only real financial concern is having some money to be able to help take care of my mother when she gets to that point in her life where she needs professional care, because I honestly don't think I can do it, if she doesn't have some drastic personality change as she gets older anyway (my formerly "mean" Grandma became very sweet as dementia set in, for example). I don't wish that on her, obviously! Just thinking about how my Grandma changed.
She and I cannot co-exist in the same physical space for more than a day or two; I feel the need (obligation) to make enough money to have her be safe and cared for without me doing it directly!
I am very rambly this morning, my apologies. At this point going for the MSW is looking like the plan! I appreciate all the input.
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I think it will help to have some relevant experience before applying but trying to figure out how that would work realistically without a BSW. Unless I go straight to grad school.. ? 
and reading books and having long discussions with family and friends. I love thrift store and garage sale shopping. I love selling something for $40 that I picked up for $2 and shined up a bit. I just don't see that continuing to work for me long term as part of some grand plan if I ever want to travel, or have money to retire. 
