eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Oct 11, 2015 14:09:36 GMT
Have you successfully changed career fields without going for more education? I work in mental health. I know that being a social worker is my calling. I love what I do. I'm just starting to dread doing it. How's that for a quagmire?? I've been toying with changing fields for awhile but can't seem to make the leap as nothing seems comparable or it just sucks me back in doing the same work under a different name. And to be honest, it is usually with less pay. So to do this but for less money?? No. I recognize I'm burnt out but still feel such a huge passion for my work that a change is needed to keep it going. It is quite common amongst my group of SW friends to change positions frequently just to avoid the burn out but almost all of us are saying similar things right now. I've toyed with going back to school but for what? A PhD? So I have student loan debt and am still doing the same job? I don't know why it feels weird to go get another bachelors but it does. Plus the question of "in what?" Like I said, this is my calling. I love it. What could I possibly study that would give me that same desire. All the jobs seem to be in computers and I feel that I wouldn't be hirable due to age and the fact that even with a bachelors I'd probably still be pretty damn clueless! The dream, sit on my couch and get paid for playing on the internet  Or be like Lisa Bernson who is also a social worker by education. Tell me your story! |
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Post by anxiousmom on Oct 11, 2015 14:33:23 GMT
I heard something on NPR one time that rather than calling it burn out, they called it the 'exhaustion of empathy.' It had less to do with being tired of the work, but more to do with the energy expended day in and day out of being genuinely empathetic toward your clients. I don't know what the changes would be-changing careers or taking a break. It's a hard to place to be.  |
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Post by oliquig on Oct 11, 2015 14:53:08 GMT
Have you looked into getting a Master's in Social Work, or Human and Health Services? That might be a better idea than getting another bakeries bachelors. If your work has any tuition reimbursement, this might be close enough a degree for them to cover some of the cost.
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Post by hop2 on Oct 11, 2015 15:09:32 GMT
My kids both saw an 'academic coach' who was previously a social worker for the county. ( not a teacher or a tutor at all she never did subject matter with them ) They both had issues in school with anxiety and as part of therapy they were sent to the academic coach who worked them thru their typical procrastinations and pitfalls. DD pretty much ignored it until college but I can see her using it now. DS took to it well but DH can't seem to hold up his end of the bargain and be semi hands off. Not sure why we pay for an expert to tell us try to do Y and then DH continues to do X that hasn't ever worked is beyond me but that's a whole nother thread. Lol
But anyway she happened into this when her colleague both a vice principle and a counselor asked her if she could work with a particularly troubling case. Smart kid who turned smart ass always in trouble inside of a year after a family tradegy. She did and her new career stemmed from that. Not sure what her net was but she was $80 an hour and not a medical expense.
Sometimes your past education can also qualify you for a new certification. Look around and see what put there.
Or sometimes changing who you work with is all you need, if your a social worker with kids try the elderly? If your in a case worker environment try private practice?
Try to find something related that you like that pays well. Good luck to you!!
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eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Oct 11, 2015 17:49:01 GMT
Have you looked into getting a Master's in Social Work, or Human and Health Services? That might be a better idea than getting another bakeries bachelors. If your work has any tuition reimbursement, this might be close enough a degree for them to cover some of the cost. I already have that. Hence the debate between a PhD (in what) vs. a bachelors (in what). Currently there are no opportunities for tuition reimbursement and the one we do have makes you eligible to get your MSW. That makes a lot of sense right? We will pay you to get your degree in your degree? But it is mostly for our lower level BSW's who want to advance. As a social worker, you don't really need anything higher than your masters. I'd love to leverage what I have into something else but I want it to be something else. For example- be a florist! Or upcycle stuff into a home goods type market. But this darn family likes to eat and I'm not ready to make the leap to either of those options. |
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Oct 11, 2015 18:07:19 GMT
You can get a Masters in a totally different field if it is a better option than another bachelors. You may have some deficiencies, but there are a lot of grad programs who like a diverse student body. How about adult education?
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Judy26
Pearl Clutcher
MOTFY Bitchy Nursemaid
Posts: 2,834 
Location: NW PA
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Post by Judy26 on Oct 11, 2015 18:43:47 GMT
Perhaps put your passion for other areas to work by starting a small business on the side. As you build the business you could see if you really want to leave SW. Also volunteering in a new profession can give you insight and contacts that might prove helpful down the road. Either way lets you slowly find new possibilities without giving up what you know you love.
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Post by oliquig on Oct 11, 2015 18:57:26 GMT
Ok sorry, I was tired after driving a road trip when I read this before. Have you considered refocusing to career counseling, or working in a school. My friend is a social worker and she works for the dept of labor.
Maybe see I'd there are certification classes still in your field, but with a different concentration.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Oct 11, 2015 20:30:46 GMT
This doesn't really help with your original question about educational choices, but I wanted to throw it out there for you to think about.
If you decide you want to move away from social work but are worried you will miss it, check to see if the courts in your area have a CASA program for kids in foster care. It stands for court-appointed special advocate. My (very limited) understanding of what a CASA does in cases seems like a good fit for social workers. I think one of our peas is a CASA.
Anyway, I was just thinking that if you thought that might be a good fit for you, and if there is a program in your community, you could go on about your school/new job hunt with the idea that you wouldn't have to completely cut social work out of your life... even if you never do decide to sign up for it.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Oct 11, 2015 20:47:28 GMT
Have you looked into getting a Master's in Social Work, or Human and Health Services? That might be a better idea than getting another bakeries bachelors. If your work has any tuition reimbursement, this might be close enough a degree for them to cover some of the cost. I already have that. Hence the debate between a PhD (in what) vs. a bachelors (in what). Currently there are no opportunities for tuition reimbursement and the one we do have makes you eligible to get your MSW. That makes a lot of sense right? We will pay you to get your degree in your degree? But it is mostly for our lower level BSW's who want to advance. As a social worker, you don't really need anything higher than your masters. I'd love to leverage what I have into something else but I want it to be something else. For example- be a florist! Or upcycle stuff into a home goods type market. But this darn family likes to eat and I'm not ready to make the leap to either of those options. g seems comparable or it just sucks me back in doing the same work under My sister was a case worker for DVA here which handles Veterans' and RCMP affairs. With a MSW you could be a case manager. You are dealing with benefits, approving claims or processing claims that kind of thing. It is making a huge difference in the lives of Vets and Mounties and it was a great job. |
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
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Post by pridemom on Oct 11, 2015 22:52:46 GMT
I heard something on NPR one time that rather than calling it burn out, they called it the 'exhaustion of empathy.' It had less to do with being tired of the work, but more to do with the energy expended day in and day out of being genuinely empathetic toward your clients. I don't know what the changes would be-changing careers or taking a break. It's a hard to place to be. Compassion fatigue is miserable. I left private social services and now work in workforce development with Equal Opportunity compliance. My skills set transferred perfectly. |
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Post by anxiousmom on Oct 11, 2015 23:23:19 GMT
I heard something on NPR one time that rather than calling it burn out, they called it the 'exhaustion of empathy.' It had less to do with being tired of the work, but more to do with the energy expended day in and day out of being genuinely empathetic toward your clients. I don't know what the changes would be-changing careers or taking a break. It's a hard to place to be. Compassion fatigue is miserable. I left private social services and now work in workforce development with Equal Opportunity compliance. My skills set transferred perfectly. I did workforce development, but on the training side (WIA.) There were times that it was absolutely heartbreaking. |
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
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Post by pridemom on Oct 11, 2015 23:27:26 GMT
Compassion fatigue is miserable. I left private social services and now work in workforce development with Equal Opportunity compliance. My skills set transferred perfectly. I did workforce development, but on the training side (WIA.) There were times that it was absolutely heartbreaking. This past year I worked with WIA, but am now with the WIB. Very little dealing with individuals, and mostly on policy and staff training. |
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Post by miss_lizzie on Oct 11, 2015 23:32:54 GMT
I understand what you're saying. I love what I do, but I finally figured out I'm just tired of working in general. I'm just trying to work through that and hope it gets better. I hope everything works out for you!
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Post by CarolT on Oct 11, 2015 23:37:32 GMT
I am an RN - my background is in pediatrics - and I was a nursing administrator at a large children's hospital. After my kids were born, I worked just weekends as the "house supervisor" - I worked Friday and Saturday night from 8PM-8AM. Once they were in school, I decided I wanted a job that was more compatible with their school schedule and I had always been interested in teaching. One of our local high schools was just starting a medical careers magnet program - it was a perfect fit for me. My nursing degree and experience qualified me for a temporary teaching certificate. I needed to complete a few courses over the next 3 years in order to qualify for my permanent teaching certificate.
That was 20 years ago - I've since gone on to get my master's in Career and Technical Education and I'm currently a district administrator in our Career and Technical Education department. It was absolutely the right move for me and I've never regretted my decision to change careers.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 0:24:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2015 23:44:12 GMT
Have you considered starting your own business?
After doing my own thing, I don't think I would ever want to go back to working for someone else.
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Or be like Lisa Bernson who is also a social worker by education. 
