Social workers are always working against the grain. People who come into contact with them are usually already at a pretty major disadvantage. Wins are hard to come by and the daily grind can easily begin to wear on you over time.
Sometimes enough is enough. If you have begun to feel burnt out, the next step may be to search for an alternative career. But how can you be sure enough is really enough, and what sort of pivots will make the most sense?
In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of what goes into pivoting out of social work.
Determining if Career Migration is Right for You
The fact that you are reading this article at all is a pretty indication that changing careers might be a good idea. Still, it is natural for even people who are destined for a lifetime of social work to feel burnt out at certain times.
How can you determine if what you are feeling is temporary or a sign that it is time to move on to something else?
Unfortunately, there is no one definitive moment that will answer this question for you. There are, however, indicators that can help you make up your mind. For example:
- Compassion Fatigue: Do you struggle to feel empathy with people on your caseload? It’s hard to admit, but it is a clinical condition that impacts doctors, nurses, and social workers. You just can’t connect emotionally with what is happening around you.
- You dread going to work every day. While it may feel normal to prefer leisure over work if your job is filling you with a sense of dread, anxiety, or depression, the situation has evolved beyond typical employment fatigue.
- Your results are suffering. You find it harder to do your job to the point where you aren’t as effective as you used to be.
If you are experiencing these results but don’t want to throw in the towel, there may be solutions. Start by speaking with your employer about the experiences you are having. They may be able to help connect you with appropriate mental health resources. You may also find luck speaking with other social workers you know. Chances are that some of them have had similar experiences in the past.
You may ultimately decide that the best solution is just to move on and find a different job. If so, you will want to begin thinking about what excites you the most.
Education
Education is a common career pivot for two main reasons. The first is that it is relatively easy to transition credential-wise if you already have a college education. You will still need to complete teacher prep courses, but in many cases, this can be done in less than two years—though this number can vary considerably depending on where you live.
It’s also just meaningful work. Obviously, as a social worker, you care a lot about doing something that makes a big difference in the world. A career in education gives you the chance to continue doing that in new and exciting ways.
Healthcare
Healthcare is like education in that you can usually transition into it with relative ease assuming that you already have a degree. Also like education, it’s a job that is focused on helping other people.
Bonus? Nurses tend to make a little bit more than both teachers and social workers, giving you a chance at a little bit of upward mobility. There are also more ways to scale up into higher-paying work by going to graduate school to become an advanced practice nurse.
A Different Career in Social Work
Alternatively, if you think you might want to stay in social work, there are tons of careers waiting on the other side of an MSW. Getting a graduate degree in a career path that you feel tired of may seem counterintuitive but it could provide just the pivot that you are looking for.
Social workers with a master’s degree can work in schools, hospitals, and other clinical environments at a higher level than would be possible with only an undergraduate degree.
Getting Your Credential
Keep in mind that how you get your new credential matters quite a bit. All of the jobs described above require state certification. This means that you will need to pass regionally specific requirements to begin working.
Loads of good online programs are perfect for people who are hoping to change jobs—less money, more flexibility—but you need to choose carefully. For example, if you want to work as a teacher in Illinois, a quick Google will reveal that dozens of programs will allow you to get licensed online.
The state of Illinois may only recognize four of them.
Take a good amount of time to thoroughly vet any program you are interested in. With a little bit of research, you will find something that suits your price range and can comfortably fold into your ideal lifestyle.
Remember—you don’t necessarily need to choose the fastest program that you find. Sometimes, there is wisdom in taking things slow.
It’s hard walking away from your career. You may feel anxious. You may even feel guilty. Though these can be difficult emotions, they are ultimately normal. Remember that working in a job that you aren’t passionate about is not good for you or the people on your caseload.
By choosing a new career, you are allowing yourself to do more good in the community. What comes next? That is ultimately for you to decide. While the jobs we have described in this article may appeal to social workers, the sky is truly the limit. Go out there and find a job that you will love.
Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
The South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.
In no event shall the South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice.
The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components
