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karabara
LIF Adult
Member since 8/07 1153 total posts
Name:
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Career Change Advice - MSW
I've been in Human Resources for about 15 years and am considering a career change. One thought I had was an MSW - clinical social work, with the eventual end goal of having my own therapy practice.
Before committing to studying for the GRE and then applying to programs, I was hoping someone might be able to give me some advice on:
-types of experience that might help my application
-types of places to look for an entry level job which would give me a good idea of the field (not too interested in group home situations)
-I have a vague interest in EAP programs - what are your thoughts on them?
-do you have any thoughts/opinions on an MSW vs. Masters in Counseling Psych?
Thank you so much for any nugget of advice you have the time to share with me. I appreciate any information at all!!
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Posted 7/2/10 9:47 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
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Re: Career Change Advice - MSW
You FMed me already so I hope I answered some of your questions.
If you can get involved doing some kind of work with people with mental health issues, I have found it's so important because not matter WHAT population you end up working with, people in need often are struggling with mental health issues as well.
Have you thought of doing HR work for a human services agency? This could also be a good way to learn about the field of social work.
It may end up being a pay-cut for you and you may need to start at the bottom to get to where you eventually want to be.
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| Posted 7/2/10 12:22 PM |
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MrsSchwags
Soccer Baseball Lax Mom
Member since 10/05 11240 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Career Change Advice - MSW
I don't have any advice but why are you changing from HR (if you don't mind sharing).
I am a teacher and I plan on starting my MBA in HR in September and have my first interview on Tuesday.
I'm tryiing to find out the good, the bad and the ugly of HR.
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| Posted 7/2/10 2:02 PM |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Career Change Advice - MSW
Posted by MrsSchwags
I don't have any advice but why are you changing from HR (if you don't mind sharing).
I am a teacher and I plan on starting my MBA in HR in September and have my first interview on Tuesday.
I'm tryiing to find out the good, the bad and the ugly of HR.
I teach MBA HR classes. It's just difficult to get into the field with no experience, especially now that companies are cutting HR positions since they are laying off employees and don't need as many HR people w/ fewer employees. Even with the MBA, most students start out as an HR generalist, which on LI pay around $30,000. As a Professor, I see more people going straight to MBA programs since they are unable to find jobs w/ the Bachelor's degree alone.
To the OP, what do you want to do with the MSW degree? If you don't want to work in group homes, there are treatment centers and places of that nature, but I know a lot of people with the degrees who hoped to go into school counseling or social work and of course weren't able to find positions, and wound up in jobs unrelated to the degree. EAP programs are great, but there just aren't too many positions, and keep in mind that the state has a hiring freeze right now (and for the foreseeable future).
Message edited 7/2/2010 4:15:30 PM.
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| Posted 7/2/10 4:13 PM |
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Re: Career Change Advice - MSW
On LI and in NYC, it's an employers market right now with MSWs. Because of budget cuts and lack of time to supervise in general, most employers look for people who have been working in the field for awhile.
Keep in mind that many MSWs are also competing for Bachelor level jobs these days.
Even if you decide to make the commute to the city, you are lucky to find something starting out in the 40's.
I interviewed for a MSW position about a year ago here on LI and it was $30K a year non-negotiable. I have been working in the field since 1998!
I haven't gotten my license yet but know for a fact if I ever leave my current position which doesn't require it, I will need it. I think there is at least one other poster on here that I know of who is in a similar boat (or was until recently). I know I FMed you about this as well, but I hear this is also a reason many new MSW grads have a hard time finding something.
I also don't want to turn this into a negative thread, but while the fieldwork requirement can lead to a job, in many cases, it won't because many employers these days don't count the fieldwork experience as real "working experience" because you don't do as many hours and are sheltered from a lot of difficult problem cases.
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| Posted 7/2/10 7:39 PM |
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karabara
LIF Adult
Member since 8/07 1153 total posts
Name:
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Re: Career Change Advice - MSW
wow it sounds pretty competitive right now. thanks for the info. i appreciate the "real view"
mrs schwags, i'll FM you
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| Posted 7/9/10 1:40 PM |
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CaseyGirl
Mommy to 3 Boys :)
Member since 5/05 19978 total posts
Name:
Jen - counting my blessings...
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Re: Career Change Advice - MSW
Posted by MrsSchwags
I don't have any advice but why are you changing from HR (if you don't mind sharing).
I am a teacher and I plan on starting my MBA in HR in September and have my first interview on Tuesday.
I'm tryiing to find out the good, the bad and the ugly of HR.
sorry to jump in on this post but we are complete opposites! wanna trade? I am in HR but want to go into teaching  FM me if you want to know more about HR...I've been doing it for 9 years....9 long years....
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| Posted 7/9/10 2:04 PM |
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