Switching to Social work?

[Gloomymoon]

I have a BA in Psychology and took a bunch of science pre-requisite courses intending to go for a second degree in Nursing or a graduate program in Occupational Therapy.

Neither profession particularly excited me but meet the criteria most important to me (helping others, job security) and pay well. 

Despite this, visions of myself working as a therapist keep coming up for me. I feel that counseling others is my greatest innate strength, and I take great interest in listening to others and helping them overcome inner turmoil. I wasn’t interested in psychological research or medicine, so continuing down the psych track isn’t appealing. I was happy to learn about LCSW working as talk therapists, and the potential to earn more than LMHCs. What makes me hesitant to pursue the field is...

- i live in NYC and worry about salary, ability to save, take vacations, etc. 

- none of my extracurricular experience or work experience is related to SW so I don’t know how I’d be accepted into a MSW program at this point 

- i need to continue working full time on the weekdays

- other SW jobs don’t interest me as much as counseling, my interest in SW is primarily because it looks like the fastest way to become a therapist. I’m afraid that I would grow to hate the field before achieving LCSW certification after hearing so many stories about burn-out. 

 Thanks for reading, I’d appreciate any advice you have for me. Settling on a career path has been a struggle for me, but I’m 26 and anxious to start heading in the right direction

Edited May 13, 2018 by Gloomymoon

[lanabeni]

You'll be fine getting into a program somewhere. I came from a different undergrad bachelor of science and a BA in psychology and was accepted to my top choice. I also already work in the field so I have an idea of what to expect. I just turned 29 so getting my masters was my next step. Maybe consider volunteering or shadowing someone in the social service field? While I'm sure some can go on to be a therapist right out the gate, having some case management experience is always a good thing to have so I"m told. Then again, if you can't, you might have to do case management or something else until you can become a therapist. Burn out does happen, but that is why you have boundaries with your employer, use your sick time, and have self-care. Never work harder than your clients

 

You can consider online programs or going part time for a program. I'm currently full time and will be doing an online program.

Generally speaking, you don't want to go into a lot of debt for an MSW. The pay isn't there for a long while if at all. Are you okay starting at 30-40k? Staying there for many years?

Unless you have a lot saved up, have mommy and daddy help pay for it, or some other plan you should want to go the cheapest option. In my case, I have the GI Bill, money saved up, and working so I feel comfortable going for my expensive program. However, you usually only get one masters. Go for what you want.

I hope that helped