Comments on The New Social Worker Online Blog: I need your words

What are you going to do? i've often thought ...

2011-12-22T01:33:52.000-05:00

What are you going to do? i've often thought about leaving the profession, but I've earned a license and feel stuck in this profession. I like helping people, but it's hard to make a living and I would like to earn more. 37,500 in NYC is beans!

i'm looking into sw. i HAVE a ba and want a msw de...

2009-05-18T14:45:00.000-04:00

i'm looking into sw. i HAVE a ba and want a msw degree. i already help troubled teens full time and unfortionately have my fair share of friends who were and are abused.
my question would be a. can i support a large family as a social worker (my wife makes 40k)
and b. if i can get the msw online, should i do it so i can keep up my social schedual for those that "need me"...or the online

I really believe for me it is a calling. I hushed ...

2009-05-05T20:19:00.000-04:00

I really believe for me it is a calling. I hushed it for many years and I don't regret the work that I did in other fields. Fake? I doubt that is the right word for what I am doing with my life these days. It would be a lot easier to ignore this call to service. I am passionate about this. I hope you, too, will find something that you can get excited about. There is no greater feeling, in my

Anonymous, social work is not the right career for...

2009-04-30T23:22:00.000-04:00

Anonymous, social work is not the right career for everyone. I would not encourage anyone to become a social worker who did not think it was a good fit for him/herself.

You guys are so fake. There is no way I will get ...

2009-04-30T19:50:00.000-04:00

You guys are so fake. There is no way I will get a masters in social worker if I had to do it over again. Come on you guys, don't mislead these young people. This feel good talk is all well and fine, but I would never advise my children to go to school for six years and earn the what I make.

T.J.,
I just recieved my MSW in January 09,whi...

2009-02-14T23:35:00.000-05:00

T.J.,
I just recieved my MSW in January 09,while working full-time and taking care of a household. I will not say that it was not overwhelming but I wanted it so bad so I stayed focus. However, one thing you must to do while pursuing your MSW is to solicit family members for support. If you dont have famly members to support you; reach out to colleagues and professors. In addition, you must

I agree with everyone above... it is challenging a...

2009-02-11T22:14:00.000-05:00

I agree with everyone above... it is challenging at times, and gut wrenching, but totally worth every second. I finished my BSW in 02, and my MSW this past May. For 2 years, my son agonized as I worked full time thru the entire program (yes, plus the internships, full time classes-papers, thesis, etc...). oh, and I make more than 30k. (Almost twice that actually...) and I really feel like I make

TJ, I received my MSW in 1999 and do not regret i...

2009-02-11T10:33:00.000-05:00

TJ, I received my MSW in 1999 and do not regret it one bit. It takes a select few of us to enter into this field of social work as it is challenging work that, yes does take us away from our families, questions our priorities at times and can stress you out (if you let it). Experience, a good support system and keeping yourself healthy will help you to be the best for the people you serve.

You can do this! You can make more than $30,000 a...

2009-02-10T23:09:00.000-05:00

You can do this! You can make more than $30,000 a year, but set your sights on doing a job that is fulfilling intrinsically...Social Workers do not get into this field to stack their bank accounts. We do it for the greater good of our society; because we feel that we have something to offer for those in need; because we know that with a little support people have the ability to make life

TJ, I was a non-traditional student getting my BSW...

2009-02-07T15:01:00.000-05:00

TJ, I was a non-traditional student getting my BSW at the ripe old (tongue in cheek) age of 55 and my MSW at 57. I got into the field through a life experience and had no goal of going on past my MSW. My academic advisor still reminds me of that to this day. I did go on for many reasons---the "kids" I went through undergrad w/begged me to (seriously); the increased passion for social work and

Social Work can be like the army: the hardest job...

2009-02-06T10:48:00.000-05:00

Social Work can be like the army: the hardest job you will ever love! It helps to look at your motivation to do this work. If you have unresolved issues get therapy. Some of the best practitioners I know did this and went on to be outstanding in the area they thought they could never deal with. My own experiences with therapy has helped me appreciate the struggle we all experience being human

I have been an LCSW for about 20 yrs. There is muc...

2009-02-05T17:32:00.000-05:00

I have been an LCSW for about 20 yrs. There is much satisfaction in working with clients and respect from those clients. Unfortunately, society does not give our profession much respect
or good pay. I am a manager and make about $41,000. School social work pays better and you could make more in private practice or working for a managed care company. I would be open minded about where you can

Hi there,

I will start the MSW program in ...

2009-02-05T10:39:00.000-05:00

Hi there,

I will start the MSW program in Sept. I love reading your posts! When feeling distressed, try and focus on the AHA moment you had when you knew that this profession felt right to you. This is your gut talking to you and when you take the time (as you did) to listen, all else will fall in place. Hang in there! Sharon

T.J. Of course you're feeling overwhelmed with you...

2009-02-05T06:37:00.000-05:00

T.J. Of course you're feeling overwhelmed with your schedule. I'm in my first year as an MSW student, and I don't nearly have your schedule, and I'm also feeling overwhelmed. Try to hang in there, this won't last forever, and you'll be so happy once you're done. It seems like you were made for this type of work. Betsy

Although I`m living in Germany and not in U.S.A. I...

2009-02-05T06:25:00.000-05:00

Although I`m living in Germany and not in U.S.A. I sometimes hear similar meanings like you are referring to.In Germany social work jobs are not so well paid as for instance lawyers or judges.
But since I`m working together with people of different professions I have learned that my colleagues and I are much happier and more satisfied in their jobs.
While we have much deeper insight in

Hey there. You're in the thick of it now and it's...

2009-02-04T23:00:00.000-05:00

Hey there. You're in the thick of it now and it's totally normal to be freaking out and feel overwhelmed. You'll get through this! I've always noticed that it's easy to get down about social work when you listen to people outside of the profession talk about it. It's a job that isn't right for everyone, but it is the perfect profession for many of us! As for the salary, I graduated with my

I graduated with my MSW last May and once you are ...

2009-02-04T10:26:00.000-05:00

I graduated with my MSW last May and once you are done with all the courses, papers, and field work you feel like you have accomplished something great that no one can take away from you. I have grown in so many ways and learned a lot about myself by completing the MSW program. Even though it is a lot of work, and it is not by any means over once you graduate with your MSW, since you are always

Well, I just started the program and have not yet ...

2009-02-03T14:58:00.000-05:00

Well, I just started the program and have not yet entered field, and have no background in the field either. However, listen to your heart. You are always going to have those moments where you doubt yourself, the methods and interventions, the theories. However, if you believe that you can make a difference in someone else's life, whether it be 1 person or a 1000, then you have fulfilled your

TJ, I have always felt that my MSW was worth it! ...

2009-02-03T08:22:00.000-05:00

TJ, I have always felt that my MSW was worth it! The great thing about an MSW is that you can do SO many things with it. There are so many career directions you can take. I don't know what the salaries are like in your area, but I believe that you can make a decent living as a social worker. To me, it is a satisfying and rewarding career, and I have met some incredibly wonderful people in