Grad/Professional School

darling1 · #1 09-16-2006, 10:35 PM

how time flies and how life circumstances change......

blueGBI · #2 09-16-2006, 11:19 PM

I've been reading over this thread and it has been a help. I just graduated from college but I want to go back to school for my MSW. Right now, to make sure I actually want to stay in this field and work with kids, I'm doing TSS work in the Philadelphia school district. Are there any other people who are going back/have done a MSW?

NiaX · #3 09-17-2006, 02:13 AM

Wow... all the tips.... very interesting. Well, I would like to hear from those that were getting a Masters in a science field. Nothing wrong with Law, or Public Policy.... I am getting myself prepped for a Masters in Cosmetic Science.

neosoul · #4 09-18-2006, 05:38 PM

I'm getting a MSc in Health Care Management, and it's fun...

pinkies up · #5 09-18-2006, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiaX

I am getting myself prepped for a Masters in Cosmetic Science.

Are you going to the University of Cincinatti for your Master's degree?

mariet58 · #6 09-24-2006, 01:32 AM

Greetings BlueGI, I understand your concern and would encourage you to return to school and begin working on your MSW. I'm in the graduate MSW program at the University of Cincinnati and loving every minute of it. As a mature student having received my undergraduate degreee in 1980, I waited to gain experience in the work force. Little did I know that many years later in order to get a promotion having a graduate degree is essential. Do not delay.

CherryPepsi · #7 09-29-2006, 12:52 PM

BlueGBI could you please email me ???

I am from PA too and a TSS and thinking about getting a MSW, but I have another career in mind.
Mariet I am going to need your help to. Matter fact anybody who is thinking about or have obtained their MSW email me pleeeease.

I cannot decide what I want to go back for.

Thnx in advance

blueGBI · #8 09-29-2006, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariet58

Greetings BlueGI, I understand your concern and would encourage you to return to school and begin working on your MSW. I'm in the graduate MSW program at the University of Cincinnati and loving every minute of it. As a mature student having received my undergraduate degreee in 1980, I waited to gain experience in the work force. Little did I know that many years later in order to get a promotion having a graduate degree is essential. Do not delay.

Currently, I'm looking at Temple University and Bryn Mawr college here in PA and to get into the program, they want me to have at least 1,000 hrs working in the field before I come back. I plan to go back by mid-2008 to work on it, I just need to get in at a job where they'll pay for me to get the MSW. So, I'm praying I get a full-time social worker position.

AKA_Monet · #9 09-29-2006, 03:38 PM

YOU MUST have someone in your "corner" of the world... "Your mentor(s)" per se... And you need to have S-E-V-E-R-A-L mentors...

Mentors for good and bad days

Personal mentors

Life guiding mentors

"In your area of expertise" mentors--and this should be the most primary, with them serving as a role model giving supportive advice.

It is hard identifying mentors, the American Heart Association has a good mentoring book out there. Other good mentoring books are dealing with "coaching".

And I hate to say it, but it is all about "playing the game".

For me, I just had someone who barely knew me tell me that in my field, how to play the game...

Also, as for writing all documents, you MUST have--meaning purchase--E.B. Strunk and White's "The Elements of Style" as well as other grammatical texts that you can use for your field...

I am a poor writer when it comes to grammar--especially when I write for science. So, I looked at several research articles in my field from Nobel Laureates and "imitated" their writing style. I improved somewhat. But either way, it takes practice.

So, how do you get to that point? Well, when there is "stuff" or "things" that your advisor needs to write that is of low priority on them, request if you could review it and write a blurb.

Also, in your meetings with your advisor, do it just like a "Robert's Rules of Order" type meeting, with an agenda and Old and New Business, with you taking the minutes--YES, as a matter of fact, you probably need to have that kind of documentation.

And YES, that is how "tight" you MUST play this "graduate/professional school" game.

srjjames · #10 10-21-2006, 09:29 PM

Ok, I'm in the process of applying to grad school. I'm applying for the master's programs in School Counseling and Social Work. I'm currently teaching a SPED Behavior Self-Contained Class. I hate it.

I want to continue working in the school system, but I do not want to be confined to a classroom. I graudated from college Sociolgy. I was told that I had to have a certification to work it the school system as a counselor or a social worker so I've been working on getting certified. Now, I found out that I could have just gone to grad school and applied for an anciallary certifcation and been hired by a school district. I'm from Louisiana by the way. So now I'm in the process of applying to grad school. What is a TSS in the school system? I saw that on a couple of post above?

Exquisite5 · #11 09-19-2006, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darling1

how time flies and how life circumstances change......

DITTO!!!!
I am looking back over this thread and I can't even remember 3 years ago. I don't even remember making those posts.

Well: to be on topic here is my update.

I started law school, got engaged September of my 2nd year, got married the summer after my 2nd year. It worked out great for me and now I am happily married and working at a law firm. LIFE IS A BLESSING AND LIFE IS GOOD!!!

I can honestly say my nervousness and apprehension about school itself AND striking the balance was misplaced-- to me undergrad (engineering major) was WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY harder than law school. Law school was great!!! Ummm, now however we'll see how the law profession is- lol! I was just talking to a Soror today about wanting to return to law school.

To all those looking for encouragement in the face of professional or grad school-- YOU CAN DO IT!!!!! If you love it, I think it will be WONDERFUL and if you don't love it-- why are you doing it?

Looking back I think the hardest year (of law school) was the first year only because I didn't know what to expect. Honestly it was all fun- I truly believe at least thus far, law school was the best part of my life.

hellocutie · #12 09-20-2006, 12:40 AM

Yeah, this thread was pretty helpful, and I am pretty nervous about grad school (especially the GRE). However, I am going to do my University's five year program and get an M.Ed one year after graduation. Hopefully that will help me to make decent money while I gain work experience before pursuing my MBA.