jillianjay

Hi everyone! I graduated with my BSW in 2011, and have been on the fence for a few years about chasing my MSW. This is the year! My marks aren't stellar (3.4/4), but I have loads of experience (I think?). I have about 15,000 paid hours since graduating spread between child protection (3 years), addictions (2 years), emergency management/emergency social services (4 years). Prior to graduating, I also spent 3 years providing respite care for a young man with Autism, managing a summer camp for children with Autism for two years, and as a residential counselor for children and youth in care for three years. I've also been a volunteer with Red Cross and meals on wheels. Feeling a little like I have imposter syndrome to be honest! I'm only looking at distance programs, as I own my own home here on the east coast, and I can't pay my mortgage if I'm not working. U Vic doesn't seem like a good fit for me, but I am looking at Waterloo/Renison, Calgary, Memorial, and Laurier. I received my BSW from Memorial, but it's not my first choice. That being said, they weight favorably towards NL residents which increases my odds! I currently work in emergency management and emergency social services, and my goal is to stay in the field. An MSW will help me in program evaluation and design, and open some doors for professional development. And, it will be a safety net in case I do change fields and return to direct service as an MSW is required for anything non child protection here it seems. Good luck everyone!

I graduated with my BSW from Memorial U's 5 year BSW program in 2011. I've been working in child protection since then, as well as part time work as an addictions counsellor and disaster management volunteer with the Canadian Red Cross. I'm planning on applying to the distance programs at U Vic and Waterloo as well as the on campus program at U of Manitoba. My boyfriend's family is from there, so we would move there for two years while renting out our house. Scary stuff! I'm considering applying to Dal as well for their distance program.