Student Doctor Network Forums - View Single Post - Degrees, credentials and experience for career change togeriatric mental health

Member 364318 · 04-30-2012, 06:11 PM

Can't help with the SW aspect - but I too was a career switcher and it was a transformative experience.

My experience is that we specialize post masters - the grad school experience is just an intro to so many different ways of working and so many different populations.

I have a couple of friends with the BSW who work in "nursing" homes / assisted living homes and they ADORE their work and find it very satisfying.

As far as getting some current volunteer hours in - if your interest is geriatrics - it should be easy to get some volunteer time in at a senior center, meals on wheels, assisted living etc. Offer to lead a group, facilitate an activity, teach a skill, or just be a listener to someone who is alone.

With you interest in working with older gay folks - I would start out with making connections with your AIDS/HIV support groups/agencies and branch out from there.

There is plenty of room in the field of mental health for career switchers. Welcome.

04-30-2012, 06:11 PM	#2
Member 364318 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 193	Can't help with the SW aspect - but I too was a career switcher and it was a transformative experience. My experience is that we specialize post masters - the grad school experience is just an intro to so many different ways of working and so many different populations. I have a couple of friends with the BSW who work in "nursing" homes / assisted living homes and they ADORE their work and find it very satisfying. As far as getting some current volunteer hours in - if your interest is geriatrics - it should be easy to get some volunteer time in at a senior center, meals on wheels, assisted living etc. Offer to lead a group, facilitate an activity, teach a skill, or just be a listener to someone who is alone. With you interest in working with older gay folks - I would start out with making connections with your AIDS/HIV support groups/agencies and branch out from there. There is plenty of room in the field of mental health for career switchers. Welcome. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4000 hours...