Any Social Workers or counselors here?

PixieChickMTSU · #1 05-21-2003, 05:54 PM

Hey! I was just wondering if there were any aspiring Social Workers or counselors at this board. As a social work major, I get a lot of slack for choosing that as my major!

Rio_Kohitsuji · #2 05-21-2003, 06:16 PM

Well, both of my older sisters (who are twins) are social workers. I remember when they were going to college and yes, they did get A LOT a grief for that. It's like the profession of teaching, too many people depend on these professions, yet, no one is willing to help the people willing to do the work.

ladybug1116 · #3 05-22-2003, 01:02 AM

Although I am not a SW or counselor, I am in a "human services" type of field. When I did my internship I actually shared my office with both a SW AND a counselor. I agree that these are often thankless professions that deserve a lot more respect and $$. I think that many SWers get a "bad rap" due to people's experience with DHR. Not that DHR isn't a necessary agency...but often times people have only seen the ineffiency (and sometimes ineptitude) that goes on there and assume that this is the only aspect to SW. It was interesting to learn of the various facets of the field after working so closely with SWs and I have to say that I have a new respect for these individuals....seriously.

Natty · #4 05-26-2003, 07:42 PM

Hey!
I am a Psych Major and a Bio Minor. I plan to go to grad school to become an Occupational Therapist. So, I may not be going into Social Work, but I am in the field of Human Services too. I go to a small school that has a large Rec Management and Marine Bio program, so there is a lot more emphasis on that than any other of the majors. Well, hope this helps.
Natty

AUDeltaGam · #5 05-26-2003, 07:48 PM

I am a Human Development & Family Sciences major and after earning my undergrad degree, I will go to Grad school to get my Masters in marriage and family therapy!

DZHBrown · #6 06-01-2003, 08:52 PM

Kara - I'm a social worker (my degree was in psych). Have you had a class with Dr. Landra Orr at MTSU, yet? She's my boss!

Opie25 · #7 06-01-2003, 08:59 PM

I have a bachelors degree in family services/social work...did it for a year until I went to grad school for administration in higher ed...enjoyed it and would like to end up working on a volunteer bassis if I can ever make the time!!!!!

PsychTau · #8 06-02-2003, 11:45 PM

I have a Bachelor's in Psychology, and a Master's in Counseling Psychology. Right after school I worked in admissions for a psychatric hospital for 2 1/2 years (still work there part time) but now I'm a research assistant for our state medical school...working on a grant studying depression in Veterans. I'm not quite using my Master's Degree, but I'm looking to gain experience and move up later.

I'm more into mental HEALTH instead of mental ILLNESS...I really didn't enjoy my internship because I was in a psych hospital where people stayed for only 3 days and most of them were so chronic that they wouldn't have an identity if they weren't depressed or bipolar or otherwise ill. I would rather work in PREVENTING mental illness by teaching coping skills, dealing with small problems before they snowball into severe depression, etc. However, the Arkansas mental system isn't quite so forward thinking yet.

PsychTau

PixieChickMTSU · #9 06-03-2003, 12:33 AM

DZHBrown - I am actually transfering to MTSU in the fall! I am HOPING to get into the first Social Work class....if I have that teacher I will let you know! I am so exctied about transfering...and I am rushing also!!!

Kara

AXO_MOM_3 · #10 06-04-2003, 10:28 PM

I got an undergraduate in psychology with a minor in social work. Everyone always asked if I though I could find a job making any money. I ended up working as a juvenile Court Counselor for almost eight years. I loved my job because I got to work with so many different agencies - schools, mental health professionals, DSS programs just to name a few. While I did not make tons of money, I made enough to have a nice apartment, car and the extra's. I quit to become a stay at home mom about five years ago when my second child was a year old. Currently, I'm getting a mastors in Counseling, and intend to work in the schools. This way I can work the same hours my daughters are in school, and have the same breaks that they do.

Cluey · #11 06-04-2003, 10:35 PM

I actually work as a counselor, currently, but I mainly work with my students on academic counseling

I am applying to a school counseling program at my local university. I've already gone on the interview portion of my application, but I have to finish my portfolio before next week in order to be granted official acceptance. Wish me luck!

MoxieGrrl · #12 06-05-2003, 11:50 AM

I *finally* decided on what I'm going to do. Chatham College has a brand-new school counseling psychology program. I'm excited because I definitely want to go that route with it....I'm not super interested in giving kids IQ tests (i.e. school psychology)

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AXO_mom - one of the reasons why I chose this program is so that when I (hopefully!) get a job in it, I will work the same time my kids are in school. Great minds......

Btw....I checked the Occupational Outlook Handbook put out by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It projected that school counseling jobs will be increasing faster than average through 2008. The median salary is 46,500, I believe. Not too shabby

mariet58 · #13 07-06-2003, 05:36 PM

I have been a social worker for 19 years in the child welfare arena. My chosen profession brings me joy because I believe I am contributing to my client's well-being. I plan to start working on my MSW in the fall of 2004 to acquire more knowledge and skill. Ultimately, I aspire to be a supervisor/administrator at my work place.

shanahany · #14 08-06-2003, 03:21 PM

While not exactly Social Work, I got my undergrad in Sociology and Human Service. I'm currently working at the Council on Aging as a Social Services Outreach Worker. Its not, by title, a social work position, but its pretty close!

I'll be going to Graduate School PT for a MS in Geronotology starting is September.

Kris S.
Sigma Kappa

FeeFee · #15 08-21-2003, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MoxieGrrl
AXO_mom - one of the reasons why I chose this program is so that when I (hopefully!) get a job in it, I will work the same time my kids are in school. Great minds......

Great minds do think alike.

I have the same mind set - work the same time my daughter is in school, have the same days off as well.

Can't wait until I receive my MSEd in School Counseling in 2005 (hopefully

)