Anxious MSW Almost-Graduate (employment, 2014, job, career)

[Lissy1368]

I'm a current MSW student who will graduate in May of 2014. I LOVE my program. I did my first internship at a family therapy clinic that was probably 75% composed of DHS (aka Child Protective Services) reunification clients and 25% general families in the community and got great clinical experience. I am currently interning at the VA and have had the opportunity to rotate through many different departments. Additionally, I've been involved in research and grant-writing (writing is perhaps my strongest skill and something I have received numerous compliments on) under the guidance of one of the top professors in my program and have presented at numerous conferences.

I think I have healthy boundaries with my clients and do not really feel that I've been seriously vicariously traumatized by some of the things I've seen. I don't consider myself to be particularly idealist either--I'm a realist. I hope to be able to obtain supervision relatively quickly after graduating and get my LCSW, which I believe should open many doors. I can see myself being happy in a variety of settings including the VA, private practice, teaching, schools, and macro work.

However, I've been feeling really down lately about the constant negativity I encounter from other social workers. I've been told many times that I better be prepared for utter disrespect in the workplace, abysmal wages, and crushing stress. I consider myself to be a competent and innovative person with many in-demand skills to offer, but I'm hearing that it doesn't matter what skills you develop--people hear "social worker" and immediately relegate you to the "incompetent, bleeding heart, not-as-good-as-a-nurse/psychologist/MBA" box. Is this really an accurate picture of the work environment? While I don't have outsize expectations, I do expect a salary and recognition commensurate with my education and experience. The more I listen to those in the field, the more I fear that, despite my attempts to maximize my employment opportunities and chances of success, I have made a terrible mistake in pursuing this career. I would really appreciate any comments people would like to share regarding their own experiences.

[Teckeeee]

Social work is very rewarding, very high stress, and low pay. Job burnout is bad. When I considered getting my MSW, I looked at cost vs pay. At that time going to SF state would have set me back around 50k and I could expect to make 45k in Nor Cal.

On the flip side my Mom had a great encounter with APS in So Cal recently. I called because some shady contractors were taking advantage of her, and she needs to go to a safer environment. My Mom said the lady that came out was very nice mid's 30's and really helpful.

Maybe APS would fit you better.

For me, I never got the MSW stayed in social work a year, looked at pay vs stress, saw the only way to make more in the current situation was go to corrections, and said no thanks left the field.

But as I mentioned, if I won the lotto I would probably volunteer to work with gang members I really liked it and I made a difference in a couple of kids lives.

Please make sure you work in a state or metro that is pro social programs because you don't want to be a social worker in CO there was a horrible story of how bad CPS is in this state and how they didn't have enough funding, yet we have plenty for another Super Max prison.

The difference between private practice and being CPS is night and day. PP people like you, for the most part, CPS you are butting in their domestic affairs and that's is ugly, and they feel you are crossing their boundaries.