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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Anyone work in Family Services job?
I graduated with a 4 year degree (in law enforcement) 3 years ago. I've since decided that I do not want to become a police officer as I initially thought I would, and I'm more interested in social work/case worker/being an advocate for victims positions. I have no idea how to get into this field, any tips/advice? What do you do, and do you like it?
FWIW, I've been doing a little research on these positions in my area and they seem to be far and in between (budget cuts I'd assume), would it be beneficial to go for a small local company or just try to get on at the state level?
I'm currently working, but looking for something more of a challenge, I'm hoping to find something by the end of the year.
FWIW, I've been doing a little research on these positions in my area and they seem to be far and in between (budget cuts I'd assume), would it be beneficial to go for a small local company or just try to get on at the state level?
I'm currently working, but looking for something more of a challenge, I'm hoping to find something by the end of the year.
Re: Anyone work in Family Services job?
I would try non-profits for a job. The United Way in your area should have a list of agencies (a brainstorming list to start with). Send your resume and cover letters to those agencies. You never know what could be out there. Indeed.com can sometimes advertise the positions.
The current agency I am at... many of our paid staff started out as volunteers. So if there is an agency you REALLY want to work for, start volunteering. Background checks and some training can be done, so it's quicker to get you "started" if you become paid staff. Don't be afraid to start off somewhere that has a residential program doing direct service/client care, especially if you are willing to work 2nd or 3rd shift and weekends. You can move up from there. Residential programs seem to ALWAYS be hiring, since they are more entry level.
I would also agree that with budgets being closer to zero, it will be much harder to get a job. The starting pay and benefits really aren't the best, but people are not in this field for the money.
The pay won't be a nice as a state or county job, but a job is better than no job, right?
Some of the jobs that come to mind, in the human service field:
-Taught parenting classes, skill development courses
-Substance abuse education & treatment
-Teacher in a child care center (some centers are great, others not so much)
-Foster care caseworker (should be a TON of those jobs- just find out where the state contracts out their foster care casework to), getting foster families licensed (not as many of those positions around... since it's a once a year thing for a family).
-Domestic Violence caseworker... both in the hospital and at the courthouse
-Answering calls at a 24 hour hotline
-Recreation centers (think Boys & Girls Club)
One thing I have not done is work with the elderly, but there are a number of roles for that specific population.
The big question is what direction do you want to go with?? Is grad school an option??
Hope that helps! PM if you have further questions.
Before I started med school I worked as a mental health case manager for kids for the city I lived in. I also worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters. I pretty much enjoyed both jobs although I saw some very sad situations and had to help kids work through some pretty horrific traumas. It was stressful at times, but I'd say 70% of the time I didn't mind going to work. Be prepared for lots of paperwork and files!
I have my BS in Psychology so that's how I got into the field. Both of the jobs listed Masters preferred, but I still got the jobs. I would say over half of my immediate coworkers had their masters degree, so it's definitely a necessity to get your master's degree to move up in the field.
I would just search for all the agencies in your area and start applying to any openings. Make sure your cover letter is catered to each agency.
Thanks to both of you for the very helpful info!!
I started with volunteering at a domestic violence/ rape crisis center. I was pretty sure that I wanted to get into social work so before I went back to school for my MSW I volunteered while working at my current job. I loved the volunteer work.
Because of the volunteer experience, I was hired as a Family Consultant with an agency that contracted with CPS to do in-home services for family preservation (preventing kids from being removed from the home) and reunification after they were removed.
I then realized that for most social work jobs I needed an MSW and I went back to school. I'm now a Hospital Social Worker and absolutely love my job. Working and volunteering in the field prepared me for school and helped me know that social work was what I really wanted to do.
I'm happy to answer any more specific questions if you have them.
I should also add... well, at least in my area... the DSS/DHS/DCFS staff have VERY low turnover.
Not good for us job seekers. I also had a very stringent grant I was under once that was very specific in what major the case worker could have... sociology was not an okay major (boo, because that's my minor and I LOVE soc!)... I think the okay ones were Psyc, SW, and Family Services. It was pretty narrow. Don't get discouraged... most aren't as strict.
I'm a little late but I would also look into working for the Dept. of Social Services. I know the pp said that in her area there is very low turnover but I worked for DSS in St. Louis and our turnover was high and I am now living in Colorado where there are always openings. You usually only need a BS to be a case worker and with your background you should qualify. I worked for DSS for 7 years and it was the BEST experience I could have gotten. I was able to see if I would like that type of work (it can have a high burnout rate and if you think you are going to save the world it can be a big disappointment)...if you love the work like I do then it exposes you to all types of careers in the field (counselor, Deputy juvenile officer, probation officer, social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc). I was able to get a large portion of my MSW paid for while I worked for DSS and I now work in a school setting and have a part-time private practice (I have a LCSW).
Good Luck in your search and let me know if you have any other questions.
it is really!
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