I recently read a LinkedIn post by someone who was disenchanted by being a social worker. She went on to criticize many things about the profession, including: Education; Pay; Loans; NASW; Licensing Boards; Licensing; and Continuing Education.
Here’s what I have to say about these things:
Education: Yes, most of us start going to school and thinking a BSW is all we’ll need, but then we’re told we need to get our MSW, and then become professionally licensed.
Pay: If someone didn’t warn you about pay throughout your education, then they’ve done a disservice to you. Granted, if you didn’t research the profession you were hoping to spend the rest of your life in, then you’ve done a disservice to yourself. Be realistic. There are many jobs out there that pay more than a livable wage. I make $48,000 with great benefits. I teach a couple of classes a semester and supplement my income with anywhere between $12,000 to 18,000.
Loans: Depending on where you go to school, your loans can be manageable or substantial. That can also depend on what your needs are while you’re in school. I was able to pay off my loans in six years. Disclaimers: I don’t have a family or even a pet family; I live in a rural area, so the cost of living is lower; and I worked for the same University part-time where I incurred my loans (the irony).
NASW: I was a member for years, and I recently decided not to renew my membership. The thing is, you can decide not to be a member--it’s as easy as that.
Licensing Boards: The comment was regarding them publicly shaming you and taking away your livelihood. Licensing boards weigh disciplinary decisions carefully. Their role is to protect the community and to license professionals who are safe to practice. Practicing ethically is one of the cornerstones of our profession.
Licensing: This is ultimately up to you. What are your career goals? Do those goals require a license? If so, it’s an investment that is for you.
Continuing Education: It can be expensive. I’ve learned how to enroll in some great programs at a low cost. They can ultimately be as expensive as you want them to be.
Look, as an educator, I don’t pretend that social work is glamorous or that you’ll make enough money to become independently wealthy any time soon. I caution students throughout their education to make sure they’re aware of the emotional hardship and the potential for economic hardship. I’ve made a livable wage that allows me some luxuries (like being able to save some money for retirement and take vacation).
My advice to you as a student: Start researching agencies and the field you might be interested in . Look at pay ranges for your state and area because we should be able to live comfortably, but that’s not always a guarantee.
My advice to you as a fellow professional: Make friends at work and outside of work. You need friends at work so you can vent, brainstorm, and consult each other. Friends outside of work may not always understand what we do, but they can be a fantastic distraction from the things that can weigh heavily on us. Finally, it’s important to seek help from fellow professionals if you’re feeling burnt out or even feeling potential for secondary trauma. Be vigilant in your health. It’s easy to talk about combating burn out, but we’re often bad at putting it to practice. You’re care should always be a priority.
