Job Discussion Forums

[mgoblue424]

Hi, i was reading a post from a med. social worker talking about teaching english overseas.


I almost spit my coffee when i read that. Ive been an MSW for about seven years now, though after getting laid off from my position as a therapist at a major hospital, i reall questioned my choice in professions. my father had an MSW and had avery lucrative practive. however, after finding some things about how he practiced, and some other personal issues, i finally decided there was NO way id ever be able to attain his level of financial comfort, and at the same time reliazed i needed a more stable career, or at least one with some fun and adventure.

then i saw another person on with an MSW, and another.....

anyway just wondering. i decided to take the plunge and apply for a few positions. i figure a year or two more to clear my head and see the world would be worth the exchange. i certainly know i cant go back to it full time, and even part time gives me pause. looking at it, it seems almost set up to lead to burn out if youre planning on it as a career for the rest of your life.

[tedkarma]

Well - it WAS a while back - but I was a social worker in the early 1980s . . . does that count? I did adoption studies and family certifications and matched kids to families.

I don't miss it at all. No one calls me on the weekend, I am never "on call", no beepers (in those days) - the constant worry that you overlooked something that will come back to haunt you even years later . . . No thanks! Even the cruel part of the business world (been there too) is more forgiving.

If you enjoy and care about people - teaching is a good place to be.

[Cdaniels]

My father was also a medical social worker. One thing that's changed in the US, esp in the 80's, is the "managed care" health insurance model now totally dominates the market. Individual offices (it seems to me) used to have more control over fees and the amount and type of care available to the patients. I thought about following in my father's footsteps, but I would have neither the opportunities for advancement or the same degree of job security.
I'm still a little angry about the situation.
Not only do I want to help people, but I want to be careful about helping people help themselves instead of fostering dependence.
Here's a social work joke: You've probably heard "give someone a fish,...teach someone to fish..."
Here's a variation: "Light a fire, and keep someone warm for an evening, set someone on fire, and keep them warm the rest of their lives!"

[Jazz1975]

I'm not a social worker, but my background is in social services. I plan on showing how the skills I've developed in that line of work can be applied to teaching English when I'm writing up my essay application on why I want to live & work in Japan.

[hbeaton]

I have worked in the Young offender Unit for almost 10 years. I like the work and clients but it is hard to save.
I plan on getting a TEFL this may and want to work in South Korea.
By the way I am 52.

[duke6]

I have been a Vocational and Social Skills Instructor at an Autism Center in the adult program for 10 years plus. I have my B.A. from many years back(I'm 44) and I did the "I to I" program a year and a half ago. I have been doing one on one tutoring on the weekend with some Korean and Chinese. It is alot less stressful than my job( I don't have to break up fights or worry about getting a punch in the back) and I am hoping to go to Korea in the fall.

Good luck to you all..

Duke

[Mchristophermsw]

Hi I am MSW, and have done Psychiatric Social Work, Juvenile and adult probation, foster care, counseling, adoptionns and Child Protection Services.

The MSW is a great degree, it has prestige and gives you alot of transferable and in demand skills----That the bright Side.

But I agree with some of the negatives already posted. As for me, my social work background makes me a better teacher because of my skills.
They say that when a teacher bleeds, they bleed social work and when a social worker bleeds, they bleed teaching! LOL

If you want to stay in "HUMAN SERVICES there is alot of oppertunities....International Social Work can be very exciting.

But I also love teaching and see myself teaching full time in the future ( I currently teach part-time for a community college). I say go for a career in teaching! You will still be using many social work skills-------Assessing your students, fostering empowerment, providing intervention, collecting data, Individual and family meetings.....If a student has a problem, it will be second nature to you in identifying his needs and developing a plan or linked him to the appropiate resource..

Social Work can be very lucrative $$$. Pay for problems as the old joke goes, especially private practice or Government work ( $25-100 per hr w/full benifits). But you have to follow your heart and thats why in 5 years SW only be a memorie and full-time teaching ( and maybe running a gym) will be my new passions.

I myself will always be a Human Service Practioneer" in one sense or another. Heck, teaching is a Human Service. Good luck and PM me if you want to chat.

TED KARMA!

My friend I did not know you did social work??? I knew we had a special connection for a reason LOL
and thanks agian for your friendship and great advice!!

[Jazz1975]

'Women's Counsellor & Advocate' here. Not much money in it, but am passionate about the work. So cool what you do, Christopher.

[Chicago773]

Hi,

Interesting posts. I too am a Social Worker, but I'm a CEO of a non-profit. I'm chucking the whole thing to follow my passion of teaching in Asia. An MSW does provide you with many skills, especially connecting to people. Love my job, but hate the constant stress of money and regulations. Still have the warms and fuzzies, but then I've now become the pragmatic administrator.

So I'll be finishing up my TELF and off to China. I'll probably end up a Socialist in China, instead of a Social Worker. Good luck to everyone!!!!

[Mchristophermsw]

Chicago!!!!!

Hey bro,

A fellow a MSW here. I can relate all the way. In grad school they teach us to advocate for social change but then in the real world we are constricted by so many organizational constriants...it can be disheartning at times..... Any how good luck and stay in touch--china may be a stop of mine in the future

[mgoblue424]

wow, thanks to everyone who posted.


as for me, i am completely burned out on the field. it thought being back in school would energize me, but i just find my anxieties and depressed mood took on even more strength. i want to work. so i am going to korea for a year at least, if not more. at the least i will be able to save a little bit, and get away from everything

i decided to jump ship (again) and see what i can do to get an MBA. its going to end up costing mucho dinero at this point anyway. can you believe my dad was able to make six figures as a therapist? it was partly the age prior to managed care, and alot to do with his manipulative chronies. really, they had some bizare styles to therapy. but this isnt about that. its about me at least seeing the world for once.

thanks for all the input. at least now i dont feel quite so alone in this!

[Mchristophermsw]

Well, Hang in there...

MBA huh??? Whatever you decide follow your heart and remember your a professional in performing assessments, so take this time and re-assess your life goals and Iam sure you will come up with what makes you happy

[kogada]

Ahhh, glad to see I'm in good company. Received my MSW in 1998. Been working for a county social services agency (court services, foster care recruitment, administrative support) for almost 8 years now and realize it is time to move on. Hence, my joining the wonderful world of TESOL.

Right now it just seems to fit. I need a change, love to see the world, and still want to do something that helps others. I really miss working directly with people. So, I'm really excited and hopeful about field. Started volunteering with a local literacy program to get my feet wet and looking into certification programs in the Bay Area.

Cheers all!!!

[mgoblue424]

i hear about needing a change. i find i had a very limited goal in the field, and quite frankly, it is next to impossible to achieve (starting a private practice) AND very frustrating. i am tired of arguing with clients, insurances, parents and other colleagues. i cant belive how my dad managed to make so much money in the field.

anyway, i figure teaching overseas will at least let me clear my head. i amin a teacher's ed. program, but id rather be making money than owing it right now, so the exp will at least be different.

[jpf_msw]

hey all...

i am wondering if i am the med social worker that the original poster was referring to? if so, thats pretty cool. if not, its still cool to know that i am not the only one.

MSW here for 3 years. all my experience post-msw has been in hospice/ end of life care. it is now draining me. one thing i learn from patients at the end of life is that LIFE is short and you need to make your own path, so at the end of it all, you will have awesome meories to relive. is that morbid? maybe so (i am a scorpio after all). i am going on a vacation to hawaii in 2 weeks with my dad, and decided to check out the Intercultural Communications COllege out there, they offer a CELTA. I figure why not. I have lived in the same area for most of my life and at 27 realize that there really is nothing that is tying me here, besides memories, and family. but my family will alwyas be here, siblings are all married with kids, my life is not like theirs. good friends have moved on. my job is not enough to keep me in the suburbs of new jersey.

the thought of actualyl pursuing this both terrifies and exhiliarates me. we'll see hwo it goes!

keep in touch , fellow social workers!