am I crazy? just finished MSW, change paths w new degree so soon?

[movershaker]

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Hi Everyone!

I just finished my MSW in May, and let me first say I've used this board for input/support so much in the last few years!

In college, I majored in psych thinking I'd do a counseling psych Phd, but first I took time off for some crazy travel adventures which only opened up my mind more, making it extra impossible to chose "what I wanted to be when I grew up." I ended up pursuing an MSW to get my head on academically again, explore my interests in people and helping them live happy lives, and see if this counseling thing was for me w/o committing to a doctorate.

Now that I'm done, and bit older and more practical, I'm considering going back to school for occupational therapy. The stats on this job are to die for, and it's a lot of what I like about SW w/o some of the things I don't like, and it would allow me to work with my favorite population, birth to 3.

Am I crazy for bailing on my MSW right away? And taking on another round of school and debt? I'm 27 now, I'd start the OT program in a year and finish the same month I turn 31. I'd also add 65k to my 45k loan total. (But- starting salaries for OT are 50-70k, and I wonder with my MSW would I even being making that in the next 2-4 yrs? Not likely. On the other hand- I could be working during the 2.5 yrs of more school.)

Obviously it's hard to help when you guys don't even know me, but I still value any input anyone has to offer! You guys are always helpful. THANKS!!!

 

[Slugathor]

Depending on the classes you took back in college, you may need to take a ton of prerequisites. That field requires quite a bit of science.

 

[deleted462159]

From your post I get the feeling that you are just looking for something to do. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you seem to be continuously seeing the grass as greener on the other side. Do you have a history of becoming mildly dissatisfied and not completing what you started? Do you tend to get into structured situations (like a school program) because you don't like uncertainty? I think you should do some soul-searching and figure out not only your goals but also your motivations behind them. My advice would be to continue with your MSW path. There must have been reasons why you pursued it. Either forget about the OT or leave it in the back of your mind. If you truly are unhappy with your social work, then perhaps revisit the idea in a few years. Yes, you'd be older but I don't see it as "losing a few years." Perhaps in a few months it would seem to have been a silly idea to you in the first place. If not, then you can do some more research and speak to OTs, shadow them, intern, etc. and see how you actually like it.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

From your post I get the feeling that you are just looking for something to do. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you seem to be continuously seeing the grass as greener on the other side. Do you have a history of becoming mildly dissatisfied and not completing what you started? Do you tend to get into structured situations (like a school program) because you don't like uncertainty? I think you should do some soul-searching and figure out not only your goals but also your motivations behind them. My advice would be to continue with your MSW path. There must have been reasons why you pursued it. Either forget about the OT or leave it in the back of your mind. If you truly are unhappy with your social work, then perhaps revisit the idea in a few years. Yes, you'd be older but I don't see it as "losing a few years." Perhaps in a few months it would seem to have been a silly idea to you in the first place. If not, then you can do some more research and speak to OTs, shadow them, intern, etc. and see how you actually like it.

Very good points. At the least, it sounds like you should take some time to do additional research and make a fully-informed decision. Also, if you expound upon statement of, "it's a lot of what I like about SW w/o some of the things I don't like," other posters here who currently practice might be able to tell you whether or not it'd actually be possible to do much of what you enjoy, and little of what you dislike, via an MSW.

OT certainly seems to have a solid employment outlook at the moment, but changing careers, spending an additional 2-3 years in training, and adding 65k in debt is a serious financial and life decision. Personally, I'd spend at least half a year to a year thinking about it, and in the mean time would likely look into getting some experience with the training and degree I had so I could be sure it wasn't what I wanted to do.

 

[wigflip]

I ended up pursuing an MSW to...see if this counseling thing was for me w/o committing to a doctorate.

A few questions to ponder from someone who has changed directions multiple times and is considering doing so again:

Is part of the issue that you were dissatisfied with the MSW degree as a training path to prepare you for a career in counseling (as was the case for me and some others on this board)?

The things about social work that you're less than crazy about...do they have to do more with social work, or with counseling itself?

Do you have passion or particular talent for either your former or prospective fields?

Why OT and not other health-related careers with favorable employment outlooks, like speech pathology or nursing?

 

[MBellows]

Very good points. At the least, it sounds like you should take some time to do additional research and make a fully-informed decision. Also, if you expound upon statement of, "it's a lot of what I like about SW w/o some of the things I don't like," other posters here who currently practice might be able to tell you whether or not it'd actually be possible to do much of what you enjoy, and little of what you dislike, via an MSW.

OT certainly seems to have a solid employment outlook at the moment, but changing careers, spending an additional 2-3 years in training, and adding 65k in debt is a serious financial and life decision. Personally, I'd spend at least half a year to a year thinking about it, and in the mean time would likely look into getting some experience with the training and degree I had so I could be sure it wasn't what I wanted to do.

First... Acronym and Blizzard, I love you both for that commentary.

Movershaker, there is nothing about the MSW and the subsequent licensure that prohibits you from working with small children. I would suggest maybe looking into getting an early life certification from someplace that offers behavioral analysis training or perhaps an early life education certificate from an educational psych/family science program. These typically run 18 credit hours and cost 5-10k, but it's all tax deductible as CEU's and professional education.

Then get out there and use the MSW you worked so hard for to do what you think you may enjoy. Teach parents how not to be stupid, provide life skills and developmental training for disabled children, or do some macro work and open up a service facility where you connect OT's with needy underfunded families. We have enough people in our country not working, there's no reason you should add your name to that list for the next 2-3 years in the name of more debt.