Advice on getting MCSW

[abbywilson90]

Hi All,

I wanted to post here to get any feedback or advice from anyone who is currently getting a MCSW or has already gotten one.

I scrolled through a forum earlier where a lot of social workers had posted, and started to feel a little discouraged. A lot of them seemed to be very unhappy with their jobs and the pay. I am aware that the pay is not very much. I am currently working as a lease analyst/landman for an oil and gas company and have gotten some sh*t from a few people about wanting to leave my job to go back to school for this type of work. I know it will be a big change and I will have to make some sacrifices, but I really want to be passionate about what I do every day. I am willing to make less to be happy with what I do. Ideally I would like to make $60,000/yr though. I know it is very unlikely I will start off with that and that's okay.

My plan as of now is to get my Masters in Clinical Social work so that I can get my license to be a therapist, and maybe one day open up my own private practice. I have started tutoring homeless teenagers every Tuesday and really enjoy it so I think I definitely want to work with kids and teens. I am trying to get started in a lot more volunteer work on top of that. I start training in January at Bo's Place (which is a place for families who have lost a loved one) to be a facilitator, which would lead the grief support groups. I wish it was sooner but the next training session isn't until January. I've also applied to be a "Big Sister" for Big brothers big sisters of America but they take a while to match you with a kid.

I am working on my application now for enrollment of Fall 2015 and it's due March 31st. I feel like that is a lot sooner than it seems and I just really want to make sure that this is the right decision for me. I am pretty sure that I want to be a therapist, however I am only 24 so I have my doubts. I worry about not being good at it, or finding it too emotionally exhausting. I do think that even if I change my mind, social work is the right path for me. So I know there are other options, but I worry a little about finding something else to do in Social work, but then being stuck making $45,000 a year for the rest of my life.

I know my volunteer work will help with decision making but I just wanted to get some feedback/advice from as many people as I can who have some experience. I would really appreciate any advice I could get. I know social work can be very draining and I want to hear about all of the difficulties but also the rewards. 

 

Thank you so much!
Abby

Edited November 6, 2014 by abbywilson90