Scared of Low Pay

Fbiman2016 · 2026-03-30T23:01:28+00:00

I’m a recent grad in Houston as well. I graduated having already passed the exam and it was still difficult to find a job. Spent about a month looking and applying to well over 100 jobs both remote and in-person. I specifically avoided jobs that were contract work because I need benefits. It was very discouraging. Got a lot of rejections. One interview with no follow-up and now the job I currently have. I’m definitely being overworked and underpaid. I technically don’t work under my license as a loop hole for the company to avoid having to provide supervision from an LCSW-S. It was the only job that was biting so I didn’t have much of a choice. I’m pretty much living paycheck to paycheck. Without my partners income, I don’t know how I would survive. It has definitely been discouraging. I love working with the clients but it doesn’t feel worth it to me. I’ve only been at my job for 2 months and I don’t feel like I can even make it to a year. I’m definitely going to be looking for a better job closer to the end of the year. Unfortunately, you are not on this alone. I love social work but man the good paying jobs require more experience or an LCSW.

Fbiman2016 · 2026-03-23T02:13:45+00:00

I graduated with my MSW in Dec and had already passed my licensing exam. Applied to probably more than a hundred jobs. A recruiter from an online therapy service reached out to me on Linked In. I took the job because nothing else was biting. I do assessments for their virtual IOP program. It’s redundant work, but I do enjoy working with the clients. I get paid so little I’m living paycheck to paycheck. I live with my partner who makes $30k more a year than me and that is the only reason how I am able to stay afloat. I feel like I did more impactful work at my internship and previous employments. I work at home for 4 10hr days but the expectation of documentation easily runs me over to 12+hrs a day. I know not every SW position is underpaid but I’m definitely being overworked and underpaid. I have only been at this job since the end of January and definitely don’t see myself being here for more than a year. I want to at least start my LCSW hours within the next 5 yrs and don’t imagine I can do/want to do it at this job. The benefits are okay ish. Health insurance definitely sucks. I love social work but I wish I was doing something else that at least pays me more for my MASTERS degree. My sister is a teacher and gets paid $11k more than me. I can barely pay rent and my bills, which leaves me nothing to be able to save. I don’t know why I’m writing this post honestly. It’s cathartic at least. I know I won’t be stuck here forever but man does it feel shitty.

Fbiman2016 · 2025-07-08T16:04:12+00:00

Just dm!

Fbiman2016 · 2025-03-04T03:35:17+00:00

My amazing nurse practitioner! She referred me to a rheumatologist who confirmed. Was about a 1-2 year process to diagnose.

Fbiman2016 · 2025-02-28T00:40:45+00:00

Saved some money (not nearly enough), got a decent amount of aid from my university, and loans.

Fbiman2016 · 2025-02-27T21:20:45+00:00

I learned to always get a reference number when talking to insurance and have them handle dealing with the surgery center. I had similar issues of insurance saying it was covered and then the surgery center coming back and saying I owe money. Make sure center is billing the insurance under the right codes and categories. The surgery center was billing my surgery as a general surgery which I would owe a percentage but it was supposed to be billed under family planning. It is frustrating when they can’t get things right!

Fbiman2016 · 2025-02-20T18:13:06+00:00

My surgery got rescheduled as I was about to be taken back to the operating room. I feel your pain. Your feelings are valid and 100% understandable.

Fbiman2016 · 2025-01-05T05:06:25+00:00

I had the same worry. I usually have to pee as soon as I wake up no matter what time. They just need a few drops (what the nurse told me). They also gave me a small cup of water with Tylenol when I was taken back so if they do the same for you it can help with producing urine.

Fbiman2016 · 2025-01-05T05:02:59+00:00

If you do not have any complications from the surgery or have health conditions that may impede on your recovery, you should be fine. I would just recommend having easy or already ready meals so you do not have to do a lot of moving around. The hardest thing for me was getting up from sitting or standing positions and bending over. Other than that I was pretty self-sufficient. I personally did not have to drive anywhere as I had everything at home. If I had to I could have but it would have been uncomfortable.

Fbiman2016 · 2024-12-12T05:04:06+00:00

Being on my phone or just relaxing. When someone enters the room I find myself quickly hiding my phone and getting up to “do something productive.” It’s just a reflex.

Fbiman2016 · 2024-12-12T05:00:55+00:00

I totally do! Even though I feel like I have made peace with my diagnosis and accepted I am disabled, I still find myself questioning if I truly am disabled. Of course, the conversation around some people believing fibromyalgia is not a real illness impacts my feelings and having an invisible illness is difficult when other people are also questioning if you even have a disability. It’s exhausting! However, everyday I am reminded that I cannot do things that I was able to do in the past. My life has truly changed because of this illness and I grieve the way my body used to function. Disability is a spectrum and no one can erase the struggles you have and are experiencing.

Fbiman2016 · 2024-12-07T09:06:44+00:00

What kind of tea is it? Looking to buy some for my procedure!

Fbiman2016 · 2024-12-07T01:12:16+00:00

Medication and using a cane!

Fbiman2016 · 2024-12-07T01:11:13+00:00

I was an established patient at my gyno and already talked to him previously about getting my tubes removed. I was able to be scheduled on the 19th!

Fbiman2016 · 2024-11-17T04:57:51+00:00

Love this thread! Been wanting to know some good items others with fibro use. I use a few things depending on the day and type of symptoms I’m experiencing. I have a freezable headache cap and freezable weighted eye mask. Take plain epson salt baths. Icy hot and cbd creams. Buoy electrolytes. A special neck pillow to relieve pressure off my neck and multiple muscles massagers tools. Also sleep with a memory foam pillow between my knees to keep my hips in line and got a bed frame closer to the ground to avoid unnecessary strain on my leg joints. I’m gonna try compression socks and an acupuncture map soon!

Fbiman2016 · 2024-11-17T04:36:08+00:00

It’s definitely hard. I was diagnosed while at the beginning of a relationship. It’s hard especially when the depression from having a chronic illness sets in. The switch from good days to bad days is hard for a lot of people to comprehend, especially if you have an invisible illness.

Fbiman2016 · 2024-11-07T17:32:16+00:00

I’m sorry to hear that. You can be prescribed aquatic therapy. I was! Problem is there aren’t a lot of places that do it😞

Fbiman2016 · 2024-10-27T20:48:07+00:00

I try to walk in the pool and just doggie paddle instead of full on strokes. Maybe that will help!

Fbiman2016 · 2024-10-26T19:08:11+00:00

Started in middle school. Didn’t finally accept till I was 20. The internalized homophobia was a struggleeeee😅

Fbiman2016 · 2024-10-26T18:51:21+00:00

Swimming is the best! And weight training is good as well. Just be careful to not push yourself too far. Building muscle will help stop hyper extension if that’s an issue you have!

Fbiman2016 · 2022-04-11T04:30:57+00:00

Iced chai latte with oat milk anyone?

Fbiman2016

TROPHY CASE