Does anyone have an MSW degree? What kind of work do you do?

eliz808 Posted: Dec 16, 2003 05:00 PM

Does anyone have an MSW degree? What kind of work do you do?

Tessie Posted: Dec 16, 2003 05:02 PM

Re: Does anyone have an MSW degree? What kind of work do you do?

you have forum mail

Kathy116 Posted: Dec 16, 2003 05:02 PM

Re: Does anyone have an MSW degree? What kind of work do you do?

I have an MSW degree, and I also have a JD. I am an attorney, and I specialized in Elder Law. The MSW ABSOLUTELY gave me an edge re: Elder Law (while getting my MSW, I interned in both actue and subacute facilities, so I really understood the process of nursing home placement, living wills, health care proxies, etc).

Oh, I got both my law degree and MSW at the same time, it was a dual degree program.

amy0405 Posted: Dec 16, 2003 05:18 PM

Re: Does anyone have an MSW degree? What kind of work do you do?

I work in a substance abuse program for those living with HIV in a hospital. Ive been trying to get into a public school for a while.

Tessie Posted: Dec 16, 2003 05:30 PM

Re: Does anyone have an MSW degree? What kind of work do you do?

There are alot of us. I work in a school, as a school social worker. It is a great job, but it is a very different type of social work.

Sunny Posted: Dec 16, 2003 05:57 PM

Re: Does anyone have an MSW degree? What kind of work do you do?

I work in a psych hospital with children and adolescents.

jcova1019 Posted: Dec 16, 2003 06:01 PM

Re: Does anyone have an MSW degree? What kind of work do you do?

I have an MSW degree. I work in a day treatment program with the mentally ill. I do individual and group therapy.

MarcellaBella Posted: Dec 17, 2003 09:15 AM

Re: Does anyone have an MSW degree? What kind of work do you do?

My sister has one.. She works for Children's Aid Society as a Sociotherapist..

white-wolf Posted: Dec 17, 2003 09:33 AM

Re: Does anyone have an MSW degree? What kind of work do you do?

I have one...I work in an medical clinic in a NYC hospital dealing with adults. I do a lot of crisis intervention, evaluations and referrals.

eliz808 Posted: Dec 17, 2003 12:03 PM

Re: Does anyone have an MSW degree? What kind of work do you do?

Did everyone receive their MSW's in a 2 year graduate school program or did you go about it in some other way. Also are you practicinig the type of social work that you concentrated in your MA program?

tiffg Posted: Dec 17, 2003 12:36 PM

Re: Does anyone have an MSW degree? What kind of work do you do?

I am actually in the process of completing my MSW degree, I will be finished in May. I personally did the 2-year full-time program otherwise it can take forever. My internship this year is at a children's psychiatric center and I love it, I think I got lucky with my internship. I would personally love to work as a school social worker once I graduate, does anyone have any advice? Also, are there any areas that are in high demand (besides geriatric)?

Thanks,
TiffG

MindyL28 Posted: Dec 17, 2003 01:32 PM

Re: Does anyone have an MSW degree? What kind of work do you do?

I have my MSW too. I took the more administrative route- I work for a large hospital in NY as the Manager of Patient services for a division of pediatrics. Specifically, we provide medical care to families living in homeless shelters and I oversee all the related services to their medical care.

I started off full time for my 1st year and then split my last year into 2 so that I could work. I went to Wurzweiler which is part of Yeshiva University and they have a great program for people who are employed- you can often use your current job as your field placement as long as it is relevant and can give you the learning experience that you need. I believe that there are other schools that offer part time programs as well.

FM me if you have any questions.

white-wolf Posted: Dec 17, 2003 02:00 PM

Re: Does anyone have an MSW degree? What kind of work do you do?

I did a 1 year MSW b/c my undergraduate degree concentrated in Social Work; so I essentially did the 1st yr of the MSW program in my Senior year. I was placed in an HIV clinic for my first year placement and learned alot. For my Masters placement I was placed in an alternative High School dealing with students ages14-21 that had disabilties, special ed. Most students were troubled kids, some had problems with the law, a lot of teenage parents. This wasnt a great placement, not b/c of the kids, but b/c of the lack of supervision and total chaos in the school; no structure.
After that I got my first job working in-patient medicene doing discharge planning with patients and families. I did this for 3 1/2 yrs and then moved to the medical clinic in the same hospital. I've been here for 6 years, its ok, I know I use some of my skills here that I learned in school, but my school was clinical and this position is definitely not, but I do feel rewarded helping others try and resolve their problems.

eliz808 Posted: Dec 17, 2003 04:15 PM

Re: Does anyone have an MSW degree? What kind of work do you do?

Are the internships paid, is it possible to get ones that will pay you something?

white-wolf Posted: Dec 17, 2003 04:36 PM

Re: Does anyone have an MSW degree? What kind of work do you do?

Mine werent paid internships, but during grad school I remember some of the students who werer doing internships at their own jobs. These of course were people who were already working in a social service setting or within the setting (ie: hospital).
You would have to make it a point to talk to your advisor about this because it may be a possiblilty.