TheMSSWcom

Always add meat to your resume related to whatever you want to be doing at the school you are going to. For instance, if you wanted to get a degree in legal social work (court-appointed social worker, CPS cases, things of that nature), you'd be well on your way. However, if you wanted to go into Substance Addictions Counseling, your resume is severely lacking. Volunteering is a fantastic option. Again, just make sure you have a focus on what you want to do. If I were looking at a resume that noted all the things you have, I'd be curious as to whether or not you'd ever finish. Not because you don't have the intelligence, but because you seem to have been field-hopping so much. You've mentioned education or experience in: Psychology Human Development Family Studies Spanish Sex and Gender Studies Environmental Safety Case Management Civil Investigation Human Sexuality Art Therapy WHEW! Compared to a sad little resume like my own which features: Addictions Counseling Interpersonal Skills Training Writing So, if you plan on actually going to graduate school for something directly related to ADHD (for instance, counseling adults or children with the disorder), then applying to the Johns Hopkins position is great and the homeless shelter position is probably just going to "confuse" your resume further. As you stated, you have all these short-lived experiences in these different areas, and that may make you a less attractive candidate. You may come off as a jack of all trades (master of none). Honestly, I'd just sit down for an hour or so somewhere quiet (library, cafe, park, etc.) and really think about what I want to do. What would make me excited to get up and go to work in the morning (on most days)? What is something I would do in my spare time, for free? What talents do I have that I could spread throughout the world and feel good about the work that I'm doing with people? These types of questions can help you gain a central focus. Once you know exactly what you want to do, every step you take can be geared towards coming closer to that goal. Hope this was helpful. I'm wishing you the best of luck!!

I received my specialization in Addictions Counseling from the University of Louisville. I have a family history of addiction and was always fascinated by the stories my family members would tell me about their experiences while they were in the throes of their disease. This "sick" fascination lead me down this path to an MSW with an AC specialization starting with a Sociology class I took my senior year of high school. As for UofL being expensive, I could understand the hesitation, CJMSW. However, I will say that (compared to the schools some of my co-workers attended for grad school) UofL has teachers that really push you to think critically, versus just remembering a bunch of definitions of clinical techniques. You will still be expected to understand those things, mind you, but you will also be expected to know how to apply concepts and ideas you've learned to real-life, current situations. There was less lecturing and more discussions and sharing that took place, with the vocabulary or theory of the day being a framework for the conversation. I always appreciated that. Good luck!

It seems a little strange for them to have her be part of the interview process if she just got there. I think that presenting this information as soon as possible makes you look like a good communicator who is honest (helping you secure the position, most likely). If it's likely to come up anyway, there's no reason to be passive about it. That passivity could cost you "brownie points" when the hiring decision is being made. Good luck!