Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with Career and social

social worker vs. elementary school teacher

elephantsvanish — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 08:34:55 -0800

How would you compare a career in social work with elementary school teaching? Given that underlying values overlap so much, how might you decide which would spark more passion, happiness, and success? (Not that any career is perfect.) I have been aspiring to be a social worker for the last half year or so. I really enjoy working in a supportive interpersonal context, learning about people's needs, and being an advocate. That all said, I also enjoy teaching and more intellectual/learning exploration. The path I envisioned for myself is direct service practitioner now, professor/researcher much later on. This jives well with me, even though I'm a little apprehensive of being tied to an office context forever.

Over the last little while, I've started to work with kids (I coordinate a youth literacy program in an urban library) kind of for the first time. I'm the youngest in my immediate and extended family and the "kid question" has always loomed - would I get them? Would they get me? I've always been told I would be great with little ones because my energy is really kid friendly. Well, it turns out I really do enjoy kids, and not just in a you're-amusing way. I think they are curious littl people with so much to offer, and the idea of helping them become passionate about learning is exciting to me. I also like the idea of encouraging wellness and self respect in the classroom, as opposed to always catching up with folks already in some kind of social service system - but both are needed!

I've read a lot about social work and teaching, talked to folks in both fields, and still find myself hung up. I think I am more deeply drawn to teaching, in a sense. I know that I come alive in leadership/performance roles, but that the more I am distant from that, the more daunting it seems. In general, I'm afraid of being a mediocre teacher and not supporting the kiddos enough. I am not naturally an orderer of others, and fear I won't be able to get things going in the classroom. I am fine putting great effort into the craft of teaching, but I don't want it to be a foregone conclusion, you know?

Any insight would be very welcome! Thank you.

Should I apply to MSW programs now or later?

Anonymous — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 13:43:43 -0800

Do I have an appropriate background for admissions to an MSW program? Lots of details inside. I'm currently applying to MSW programs and would like to get my LCSW eventually. However, I'm not sure if I have the appropriate experience at this point. Should I wait a year and try to beef up my resume?

A little about my background ....

Undergrad majors: English and Spanish. I took about 10 classes in various social sciences, mostly general surveys. Pretty good grades at a pretty good school.

Work experience: PR and journalism, including a good deal of work that necessitated multi-cultural understanding.

Volunteer experience: limited. Big Brothers/Sisters for one year. Some PR volunteering for a non-profit.

What can I do to improve my application? Is my undergrad education sufficient?

Also, and most important, what are volunteer suggestions for a future LCSW? What would provide relevant experience? Specifically in NYC would be very helpful.

Also--I'm very introverted and enjoy working with people one-on-one. I think of stereotypical social workers as being very outgoing, which I am not. I am as "INFP" as it gets. Will I enjoy grad school for social work and working as a clinical social worker?

Advice for an about to be graduate in CS (iOS experience)

nathanm — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:51:49 -0800

What is the best place to go for a new computer science graduate in mobile development? General advice? I am about to graduate from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in computer science. I have been involved in mobile development (iOS) through a startup and internship. I was wondering what the best places to move are in terms of a balance between having a social life and high success rate in career development. I am willing/looking to explore new environments but am apprehensive about being thrown into a new city without any connections/social support. What are the job opportunities like for a mobile/iOS engineer and what are the best cities for this? Any advice for a new graduate?

I am graduating with a degree in two weeks but my lease doesn't end until August, what would you say are the best things to do while I still have the opportunity to figure things out?

Help an ENTP narrow down their career path choices....

sawyerrrr — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:43:43 -0800

In the last couple months I've come to realize that I am not alone. My personality is my problem and it is what has made this post-college thing so hard on me. ENTPs are sort of visionaries who can be the best and innovate and succeed at anything we put our heart to but we get bored very easily if we aren't socially, creatively satisfied and doing some "analysis" or "innovation" or "problem solving". We also don't take well to being "told what to do". (Sort of like a cross between Steve Jobs (visionary, creative, secretly self-obsessed) Calvin (from the comic), Jack Sparrow, The Joker, and Wile E. Coyote. ) All of these have their "downsides" or "impossibilities" associated with them but they are all things I can see myself being fairly happy doing...some more than others....

novelist
futures/equities(stock) trader
innovation/strategy consultant
venture capitalist
film editor
relationship/seduction coach
bounty hunter/surety recovery agent
also i want to learn sign language at some point
architect (designing cool houses)
semipro poker
overseas english teacher
publisher/editor/literary agent
entrepreneur
marketing/branding
bartending (good way to pass the time)
restaurant/bar/club owner
travel journalist
lawyer (don’t want to be a lawyer but i would kick ass at it)

Anyways, how do you go about narrowing this list down?

Relocating from NYC all by myself and scared. Anyone have any experience/advice?

brighteyes7 — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 11:06:56 -0800

Relocating from NYC all by myself and scared. Anyone have any experience/advice? I've passed the first two actuarial exams, and asking those in the business has lead me to believe that I probably will have a fairly easy time looking for an entry-level position, especially if I don't restrict myself geographically.

I'm from New York City, and while there certainly is a plethora of things I dislike about the city, there are things I think I'd miss (e.g. the vast profusion of stores and cafes, the subway).

I don't have any emotional ties to anyone here, so I'm starting to seriously contemplate whether I should/could move someplace else to start my career (e.g. Seattle, California, Colorado).

I'm into trying new things, but in this case I'm apprehensive and dare I say frightened of moving somewhere completely new, not knowing anyone. I don't want to move somewhere and be alone - I was fine with this my first few years in graduate school, but I realize now that socializing with people makes me really happy and fulfilled. Right now I have no one, really, but I want to build a strong social circle wherever I go.

Does anyone have any advice, comments, or relevant experience, general or particular, that could help?

Much obliged :).

Already changing my career!?

melizabeth — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 20:27:37 -0800

Interested in changing my career PT, Lawyer, Teacher? ..but what should I know before. I am now almost a year out of college and have given up trying to figure out what I want to pursue from what I majored in.

As background information, I graduated with Recreation Management as a major. While at the time I was day dreaming I would be working outside in the wilderness all day for the NPS or something similar, I have come to now find myself working in marketing/pr for a land advocacy org. Which is great, but I just don't seem to get the fulfillment I'd hope for out of the job. Much of it is sitting behind a computer, on the phone, inside...not much of what I imagined.

From the beginning I was on the fence about this major and now its been about 2 years and I'm just ready to give up and do something different.

I'm just unsure as to what that next thing will be and I'm looking to mefi's to help me identify and fine tune strengths, interests, etc.

I enjoy being outside, if not outside I love being around people. I am very personable and can relate easily to people. Many think of me as flexible, adaptable, friendly. I always like to help people in any way possible. A few things I do dislike are sitting behind the computer all day, not moving around, not feeling active, not feeling useful. A few of my interests are hiking, cycling, skiing..(saying this makes me interested in even doing adaptive skiing/cycling programs).

I enjoy computers for the most part though especially for personal use, it's more or less just the fact that I'm sitting behind it all day is what bugs me.

Looking into other careers I have always been fascinated with rec therapy which was the other area that my major could have led me provided I took health science courses and labs. I chose more the business route. With the downturn of the economy I feel like this sector just isn't doing well and most positions are part-time. I am considering physical therapy but the hang up on pursuing that is all of the science courses I would need to take. I am not very strong in science or math and I know as a PT its all the core requirements.

With that said are there any other careers or ideas I should maybe look into in the health field or elsewhere? Also maybe more information about being a physical therapist? It sounds like an amazing career, very rewarding, and most PTs are upbeat happy and content with their work. There's many paths you can take with it as well - opening your own practice, different settings, etc.

I have also considered being a lawyer, as some folks mention that it would be a great opportunity to help people, sociable job for the most part, and I don't mind reading/writing as I'm doing much of that now.

Being a teacher also seems like a great path although I don't know what subject I would even do well in teaching. I'd probably just work well with the students and inspiring them.

Then there is the possibility working in an outdoor camp with troubled youth or those with disabilities which eventually could lead me to a M.A. in social work? I just feel like that career path could be a bit rocky.

Any comments, suggestions, words of advice - I seem to just get stuck on this everyday and feel like I'm just treading water lately. :(

Can a reserved, somewhat shy person be a good therapist?

Anonymous — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 10:57:08 -0800

For much of my life I dealt with rather severe depression and anxiety, which I've recently overcome with nearly 3 years of therapy. I'm 24 years old, trying to find a meaningful career that's more than just a paycheck. At this point, all I want to do is be a therapist. I want to help others the way that I've been helped. However, another issue I've been working to overcome is crippling social anxiety. It's gotten much better; I hardly consider myself shy anymore. Still, though, I'm not sure if I have the warm, trust-inspiring personality a therapist should have. Could I be a successful therapist if I'm far quieter and more reserved than the norm? I do love people and want to help, but sometimes I might not come across that way. Can a shy person be a good therapist?

What could I do, career-wise, to provoke the most meaningful and long lasting change?

makethemost — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:34:24 -0800

What could I study, learn, and eventually do (for a career or otherwise) that would help the most amount of people in the most meaningful way? I'm an undergraduate student at a liberal arts college in the US. This past year has been mainly been a brainstorming session for me: I've been thinking about what I could possibly do as a course of study and eventual career.

For awhile, I was thinking about majoring in English. I'm still convinced that above all the ability to write and communicate both persuasively and effectively is probably one of the most useful skills I could have if I wanted to invoke social, political, or economic change here or elsewhere. Still, I felt, after registering for three Literature classes for the coming Fall semester, that I couldn't really accomplish much in the way of social change while learning about 18th century British Lit.

Ironically enough, I saw Jonathan Kozol speak at my school (he studied Literature at Harvard). He is a major figure in the fight for contemporary desegregation and reform of the public schooling system. Reading his works as well as watching the fourth season of the Wire has strengthened my urge to do the same.

Education is probably what I am most passionate about. Still, I don't know what I could do to truly help. I don't think I would provoke much change as an inter-city school teacher working within the system.

As a lawyer, I could fight for fair housing and bring cases against school districts, etc.

As a doctor, I could help those in less developed countries who need care.

As a politician, I could try to pass meaningful legislation in hurting communities.

The list goes on. This is why I am curious to hear what you think I could do that would be the most helpful. I'm also interested in lasting change. If you have recommendations (books, documentaries, etc.), I'd love to hear them. What I am most interested in, however, is career-based ideas.

Thanks so much.

[Life Path/Career Advice Filter]: How can someone a person with diagnosed depression work in the field of social justice?

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:56:31 -0800

[Life Path/Career Advice Filter]: How can someone a person with diagnosed depression work in the field of human rights and social justice? A few years ago I was diagnosed with depression or mild bipolar disorder (not quite sure which really). I take meds and have to keep track of my current mental state so I can stop myself from sliding into a bad depressive state. I also have Nonverbal Learning Disorder which is related to the depression. It makes some types of work challenging for me (like with numbers). It's really annoying, but I'm not upset about it. At this point it's just a part of my life that I have to deal with.

I also have a passion for social justice, development, human rights, etc. I love working with my hands, and I really don't like working in an office. Spending that many hours inside an office with the florescent lights exacerbates my depression, heck, I think it depresses most people. Every job has office work, I know that, I just want to minimize it if possible.

I really want to help make people's lives better, but I worry that working in the most poverty-stricken communities - where I feel the need is greatest, will just exacerbate my depression further. I've spent some time in poorer communities in Africa and Israel volunteering and learning, and it's important to me to make my life have meaning through good work.

I might be capable of working just fine long-term (or medium-term) in the communities that seem to need it most. I don't know if I want to risk my mental health too much to try and find out.

I just graduated last year from university with a major in political science and a minor in communications if that helps any. I likely will have to get a masters at some point, but that could be another question entirely.

My question is, what kind of do-gooder's career could I find -- that is mostly out of the office? And/or where should I look to find my life path? (Way existential, I know..)

Or am I just stressing too much about this and should just chill out?

Give the Socially Awkward a Chance!

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:06:14 -0800

Help my bf's sister get a real job, so she can be as independent as she wants--and he doesn't have to worry about her as much. My bf's sister is 30. Until last year, she lived with her parents and traveled around the world doing artist residencies, not really working. She has always had developmental problems--very late talking, socially, she is like someone with Asberger's (which I suspect she has, but her parents would never admit b/c they said she is too affectionate) very obsessive about the things that she is interested in, never stops talking about them, etc. She is a very sweet, loving person and everyone loves her, but it can be wearing to be around her a lot because of the constant stream of information about subjects most people don't care about. She doesn't pick up on body language or social cues (like people indicating they might not be interested), she has a hard time in interviews because she has problems understanding some kinds of humor (like sarcasm, puns, double meanings). She is very intelligent (with things like math) and has a master's degree in an art-related field. She would be perfect as a museum or travel-guide because she gets completely absorbed by art and the customs of other countries. She has interviewed for many academic positions that she is more than qualified for, but the interview process always gets her. At the moment, she is working a menial $10/hour job and is miserable. My bf's family keep saying that he doesn't have to take care of her when they are gone, but realistically that is the only option. He is worried that she will never get to feel like a true productive member of society and fulfilled. How can we help her to help herself?

Does reading "How to win friends and influence people" will help me win friends and influence people?

dcrocha — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:19:20 -0800

Does reading "How to win friends and influence people" will help me win friends and influence people?

Career and education advice for a social worker?

amileighs — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 12:08:46 -0800

Career Question: I am getting an MSW from Columbia and want to know what to do to be financially stable after gradutation. I am getting an MSW with a Policy Practice concentration, and have the choice of minoring in either Business, or Public Policy and Administration. What would be the best choice when thinking financially of my future? Would it be worth pursuing a dual degree in either? I am not going into clinical social work, I am more interested in the broader context of social issues, and how policy is working on a large scale to affect positive social change. Thank you so much, I welcome any and all advice!

Is any Master's Degree better than no Master's Degree?

mintchip — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 17:15:54 -0800

Is any Master's Degree better than no Master's Degree? I am part-way through an MSW (Master's in Social Work) program. Long story short, I am concerned that it will be difficult for me to find a job in this field that will provide me what I consider an adequate salary, especially since I don't want to work in public policy or direct an agency (not realistic options for a new grad anyway).

I have considered dropping out, but the issues are such: 1. I don't have a backup career or plan and 2. Many people have told me that my salary at most jobs, even if they aren't directly related to my field, will be higher than with just a bachelor's degree and therefore it might be worthwhile to finish the program.

So, what I am asking is what is the value of a not-directly-related Master's Degree to most employers? Also, what jobs can I pursue after graduation that are not typical "social work" jobs? Do you know anyone who has this degree and is doing something other than casework or public policy? How did it work out for them?

Please don't bash the profession of social work. I am already stressed out about this and would prefer not to hear how poor social workers are. Believe me, people tell me this all the time. What I would like to do is make lemonade out of these lemons and find a way to use this degree to meet my career goal: finding a job or career path that is reasonably satisfying but will also provide me with enough of an income that I will have the means to pursue interests outside of work too.

Crash course from political science to computer science

SanctiCrucis05 — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 14:38:25 -0800

How do I go from social scientist to engineer in a month? How to make this story short… I graduated from a liberal arts college a little over a year ago, with a political science degree but a keen interest in technology. I’ve always been able to learn software quickly, but I’ve never done any coding more than HTML, VBA, and basic BASIC javascrp, etc. Anyway, I took a job in the Washington DC area for what I thought was a very highly respected management consulting firm. [Names are being omitted – both innocent and guilty]. If you’re familiar with this area at all, you might know that even the most respected consulting firms become beltway bandits down here, and I was very much part of the military industrial context.

After I reached the breaking point and couldn’t take the mind-numbingly boring work, I moved to another firm – still doing gov’t work, only now a different (more interesting) sector. This firm is known for its extensive systems integration consulting work, and the team I’m working on has learned that I have an affinity for technology. Now, I might be an official software developer (in the SOA realm) within a month – which is great, I’m very excited to be doing the work, I find a lot of what the firm does fascinating. But as interested as I am in technology, I’m not an engineer! I have no training in it at all.

So now that that's out of the way, my question has two main parts:

1) How do I start to learn to think like an engineer? IE working in terms of process flows, interations of development, etc. I know that half of engineering is thinking the right way. I've found that since I've adopted GTD about a month ago, I've started to think in this way anyway -- but other advice would be helpful.

2) What do you all recommend as a crash course in software development? SOA, system engineering, all of it

Any and all help would be MUCH appreciated…

How can I make my new city feel like home?

galimatias — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 17:13:09 -0800

Six months ago, I moved to a new city (Philadelphia) to pursue a fantastic career opportunity. It has turned out to be everything I wanted from a career. Professionally and financially, things are great. So, why am I so unhappy here? So, six months ago, I packed up and moved to Philadelphia with two weeks notice to pursue a career opportunity (I'm 25, single, and not tied down to anything, so this really isn't as crazy as it sounds). Professionally, it was a smart gamble - I love my new position, am treated well by my company, and have a great group of colleagues. I'm now a two hour drive from home instead of a two hour flight, which I enjoy since I am very close with my family.

Before I moved, I had lived in St. Louis for 7 years (4 years of university, 3 years of work). I had been unhappy in my previous job for a while (it was my first job out of school and I was using it for the work experience), and St. Louis is not the ideal location for my line of work. However, socially, I had everything I wanted there. I had a fantastic group of friends, a good dating network, and a sense of comfort and familiarity with the city. However, I have none of that here in Philly.

Despite being an outgoing and extremely sociable person, I have just had no luck finding a person/group I can really connect with here (I knew nobody here when I first moved). I've made a few friends and have gone out socially sporadically, but I really miss the security/dependability of a network like I had back in St. Louis. I'm also a little worried that if it is this difficult to meet people for friendship, then what are my prospects for dating?

Some other relevant background: I work weekday nights and I live in the northwest suburbs. The night shift is temporary and I'll be back to working days by September, but certainly complicates things like happy hours, weeknight dinners, and after-work social gatherings in the meantime.

So, my questions are three-fold:

1. Have I really given the situation enough time? How much time is reasonable?
2. What have others who have moved to a new city (Philadelphians in particular) done to meet people and establish social networks?
3. How can I keep myself positive and motivated throughout this endeavor? I'm usually a very positive and upbeat person, but this whole situation has been taking its toll on me.

I'll be the first to admit that at 25, I'm inexperienced at major life challenges like moving to a new city, so I'm hoping that some other MeFites can offer some good advice here. Thanks!

[LifeFilter] Help me help myself

Anonymous — Sun, 06 Nov 2005 16:34:43 -0800

Help me help myself. I have had social anxiety for almost as long as I can remember and for the last few had also been depressed as a result. [Gory details inside] A little background: I had come to the US as a graduate student in 2000 and just a little into my studies, suffered what can only be termed as a full blown nervous breakdown (triggered by a particularly miserable class presentation) I've spent the last 4 years trying to overcome my demons and it is a tribute to the American education system that I was allowed to defer my studies while undergoing treatment for depression and social anxiety. I think I have overcome my shyness/depression to a very large extent and would go as far as not labeling my 'shy' any more. But this has taken a huge toll. As in 4 critical and potentially productive years of my youth and academic life. I just can't get this out of my head. Originally I had intended to have a career in academia, but am not so sure anymore. How big a hindrance would these four blank years on my C.V. be, during which I was essentially 'comatose' from all the SSRIs that I had been taking. The same problem would hold even if tried looking for a job in industry/planned to apply for a Ph.D. program. I've read a few other questions on Me-Fi that ask the same thing. But as an international student, what can I expect? Its been specially hard, explaining this to my parents and family back home for obvious cultural reasons.

Any advice, insights, shared personal experiences, words of wisdom from the Me-Fi community would be welcome. I just want to move beyond this thought of having wasted 4 years of my life. I worry that this might cause me to relapse back into depression.

What's a good career move for a senior analyst with a social work background?

DCTapeworm — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 22:16:13 -0800

What's a good career move for a senior analyst with a social work background? Also, is there a nationwide organization for senior process and business analysts? My wife is a senior process analyst for a large software company. She's looking to make a career move that draws upon her skills as an analyst, her social work background, and her masters degrees. She's hoping to take the next logical step as a Senior Process Analyst, but she doesn't know to what.

Are there any national or local organizations that involve analysts of all kinds (or just the business and process kind) that she can tap? BTW, we live in the greater Seattle area.

Thanks in advance for any advice given. :)