STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

beachgirl · Kenneth Cole

Social Work Degree?

relrel · Marc Jacobs

I could be wrong, but most social work jobs require at least an Bachelor's in Social Work if not a Master's. I'm sure there are two year programs but I would guess that with a two year degree, the pay would be very minimal given that even MSW's are paid very very little for the hard work that they do.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

To make a livable wage, you will need a MSW. I would expect that you could find an accelerated program to finish quickly. Personally, I think if you could get a job as a social worker in a school, that would be ideal.

-gd

HeatherLynn · Gucci

I have two friends who are social workers and have a degree in it. Like relrel said, they work very hard and get paid very little for what they do. Both of them have their bachelors degrees only. If they did have their masters they would make a little more money, but for my friends who has worked in the field for 3 years now- it wouldn't help. It causes your starting out salary to be higher, but she has caught up to where a masters wouldn't help her earn more money. It could however, help her get a better job. I think that statement is more in regards to her current job with the state. They do love what they do, but it is most certainly not for the money.

cahabo · Kate Spade

I was considering a career in social work myself so I've done the research. Most jobs at least in my area require at least a bachelor's degree. Even those pay hardly anything. The better ones require a master's and definitely would give you more opportunities and a comfortable salary.

Don't get to thinking it's too late for school! In a social work class I took there was a lady who must of been in her 60's! Even if you were in school for 5 years you'd still have about 30 years of working ahead of you.

If you don't want to go the social worker route, here are a few ideas of jobs that matter: Anything in the health industry like a nurse or maybe law enforcement or a teacher. Unfortunately most jobs that matter don't pay a whole lot.

beachgirl · Kenneth Cole

The pay doesn't matter to me, what will be the deciding factor is how long it will take to switch. I just don't want to need to spend lots of money and time on education to switch careers and make less money, if that makes any sense. I really do want to switch, but I want to find something that doesn't require a lot of school.

I think 2-4 years is the max I would consider going to school, the less time the better, and it would have to be night classes, so that would even take longer.

I really am very open to any suggestions. I am definitely burnt out on my job and just need a major life overhaul right now. The thought of doing this for the rest of my life makes me want to stay in bed all day. The sad thing is, it's great money, and easy work, but, it's just not enough.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

beachgirl,
What education do you have so far?

Indeed, many of the "helping careers" do not pay well; but that is not why people choose them as their career. It sounds like you have that "I need to help people and/or society" bug. I had that when I was working in retail. I got so sick of selling bras to people and couldn't wait until I finished my master's degree in Higher Education Student Services.

Ditto on not worrying about age. The average age of students at the college at which I work is 33-years-old! I just talked to a man in his 40s and a woman in her 50s--both are starting whole new occupations. They're a little scared but excited.

* What colleges do you have to choose from in your area?

If you are considering a 2-year degree that is similar to social work, you are probably looking at human services technology or something like that. That degree can allow you to do many different things with different populations.

Farrah · Marc Jacobs

Don't feel badly about being in your late 20s at school. I am starting school again in the fall and I will be 31 when I start and 34 when I finish. Of course, I'm going into teaching, so I will be in school for the rest of my life

. Anyway, I actually know a girl that majored in Theatre as an undergrad and is currently back in school to get her Masters in Social Work. He program will take 2 years total. The moral: you do not have to have a SW background to get your Masters in it. Go for it!!

beachgirl · Kenneth Cole

Hi,

I just have my high school diploma, so I would have to be starting from scratch. I'm not worried about making a lot of money, I just want to be happy and do something worthwhile with my life. I have a bunch of community colleges around me, so I think I'm going to set up an appointment at one to go talk to a counselor for some guidance.

Thank you for all of your encouragement - and if you have any other ideas - keep 'em coming! It seems crazy that with so many choices, I really can't come up with anything I really want to do! I feel like I'm the guy in office space, where when faced with any job he wanted would choose nothing! Not very helpful when trying to decide my future.

-K