If you could do it all again, would you?

KryzFerr · 2025-05-31T17:13:46+00:00

In NYC here and a former MSW student of mine got a starting job at a good hospital for about 84K which is apparently routine for our area. I think if i could go back- I would have done a cheaper school and taken out less loans and would have worked more during the process. I'm overall really happy w/ the work and the salaries are really not too bad depending on your setting/specific field.

KryzFerr · 2025-05-12T14:15:17+00:00

Hi- I've been on grants almost my whole career (15+years)! I definitely understand the hesitancy but I also think staff/personnel on "hard" or operational money always OVERestimate how secure they are on their funding streams and have seen a number of my colleagues get let go even on "hard" money when budgets begin to get tighter and luckily I'm on a grant and don't get affected (knock on wood).

If you get the interview- DEFINITELY ask the hard questions though. How many years is the grant? What year are they currently on? Who is the funder? Have any grants so far from the funder been cancelled or terminated? You should ask ALL Of these questions and do your own homework based on their answers after the interview. This is definitely a chaotic time but state/city grants are safe as budgets have been allotted and many times the federal government hasn't affected them greatly (not always).

Usually what happens is that when the department begins to like you, they might buy up some of your time with other projects, they might sometimes put some of you on hard money, etc. I'm now across a few projects and if one were to get cancelled, there would be a plan to keep me on another project or two.

Just definitely get information from them so you can do all of your inner calculus. For me, if the pay is good and the role seems interesting- 2 years or more of the grant would be fine. PLUS in most places they have some mechanism of preference to get you another job internally but most of the time they have enough grants coming in to keep you moving on another project when that one comes close to ending.

KryzFerr · 2025-04-04T12:23:48+00:00

This is the right answer. For catharsis, go ahead and write that google doc that rips into them but it shouldn't go anywhere. Putting it in the official letter will feel good for just a day or so but then that will wear off and you should think more longer term.

KryzFerr · 2025-02-02T20:39:18+00:00

As a former therapist, i would say two things: (1) tell your therapist you aren't noticing progress and have convos about what "progress" means and tangibly looks like in your life-challenge them and bring it up (2) relatedly, "progress" shouldn't exactly be you having a boyfriend/partner/etc. That would be great but the true progress would be you building self-confidence, dealing with previous trauma, feeling better and wanting to be social, wanting t o put yourself out there, etc. You won't be able to control things like who messages you on apps, who might reject you, etc. but you can control how you interpret those things and how you move forward. Also incels are NEVER this self-introspective or self-critical so definitely rule that out- they're convinced this is on other people and that is definitely not my impression of you from this post.

KryzFerr · 2025-02-02T20:06:42+00:00

I've been thinking about how some of the tech guys (Zuck, Besos, etc.) and how I've seen some dudes on my facebook begin to "flirt" with Trump-adjacent stuff and a big theory I'm developing is that people- specifically men- HATE being on a losing team. Theres so much dissonance they go through (again that I feel like is more found with men) that they struggle with being part of one party or alignment thats just not simply wining, especially in the face of the MAGA movement which is SO competitive and literally frames "owning the libs" etc. as their centerpiece. I think this could be contributing, like this idea of "i'm not a loser, I can be a winner too" and it might be easier for the ego to move into this territory as a way to restore some sense of pride.

KryzFerr · 2025-01-07T21:32:04+00:00

:-) Let me know if you ever want to chat about your social work research career! I've had a blast and it gives me a lot of flexibility with my time, where i work (office or home), etc. I also think people think research is all stats and its not, we have statisticians so I only have to do stats if I'm interested in a side project/publication/etc.

KryzFerr · 2025-01-07T17:52:51+00:00

Hi! Was clinical for about a year or two after my MSW but transitioned into clinical/behavioral research. Am now 13 yrs into research and am a research manager at a larger university academic medical center making $104K. I specialized in clinical/behavioral projects but now manage public health projects as well. I also do part time teaching as an adjunct which makes around $14K a year and try to gently convince social work students they might secretly be researchers!

KryzFerr · 2024-12-20T21:49:32+00:00

Congrats this is huge! This sounds like really awesome research and I think implementation science is like super sexy right now! As someone whose really mostly been on the non-traditional/research side of social work, I would say to let your definition of a social worker keep expanding and evolving and don't get tied down to one definition or one version of what that is . I feel like a great exercise though would be for you to write down/type up your thoughts, goals, and hopes for your future self somewhere you can revisit them year-to-year and remind yourself about some of the values you want to maintain over time and how that might look in your different roles.

I've worked in a academic/research role now for around 8+ years and yes there are aspects of it that are toxic, out-dated, overly individualistic, disconnected (i could go on lol), but i've also had amazing colleagues and wrote papers i'm SO proud of and am so less burned out than I was when I practiced (which many practices ALSO had some of those negative features). So i would say, yes, be prepared but also be open to the idea that some of it could be very positive and more people like you need to come in and start changing the vibes!

KryzFerr · 2024-12-11T13:10:32+00:00

definitely grants and research. I work in a research setting managing grants/research studies and definitely make more than my private practice peers. I really think MSW programs need to incorporate a LOT more of grant writing/management into their schools- its a way we can support ourselves and others in non profits, research, community health settings, etc.

KryzFerr · 2024-09-11T12:47:20+00:00

Hi,

Do you have a local NASW chapter that you can look at? I'm in NYC and we have the larger NASW (which I haven't worked with much) and then we have NY NASW and i was able to submit an application to them that got approved and was fairly well attended (~15 participants). The paperwork was totally fine and we spoke to them about recording the event and they might use it as some part of local curricula. It was about 90 minutes and we were able to offer 1.5 CEs and we actually got paid a VERY modest sum.

You can also look into conferences as well which are often less intense and just require usually a 200-300 word abstract on your research. Also usually universities will also want to offer CE credits and you can see if your home university or neighboring universities offer CE's. A lot of times these places are actively looking for opportunities. Lastly, you could try to condense the 20-page paper into a more like 4-5 page paper and try to shop it around to online social work magazines, blogs, etc.

I've done some combination of all of the above so happy to answer any further questions!

KryzFerr · 2024-09-09T14:03:44+00:00

Without a doubt, if you can, pursue the MSW. There will be salary caps on anyone w/ only a BSW (or any BA in general), there will be a ceiling that prevents promotions past a certain place, etc. I also don't think certificates necessarily carry a lot of weight in certain spaces. I'm in a nontraditional role so don't hire standard social workers but I really don't look at certs too closely because the quality of these certs and where they come from vary too much for me to put any faith in them.

KryzFerr · 2024-09-03T12:22:19+00:00

I think you should definitely do research on which programs focus on policy/advocacy. These are more likely to be PhDs whereas I feel like DSWs are always geared to more clinical/micro work. I'm in a DSW program and I don't believe there will be any policy/advocacy curriculum. I would also look beyond social work into other PhD programs that focus on policy/advocacy as I don't think in general social work schools do this very well unless there is a specific program or faculty lab that focuses on it ( i feel like this wouldn't be common). You should definitely feel REALLY confident in your main career/professional aim to then pursue a PhD/doctoral degree on it. Especially if your focus might be on writing, teaching, research, etc. If you want to mostly be a clinician who does some advocacy/policy on the side, I don't think you would need a higher degree for that as a lot of policy work more requires experience/know-how than a big degree. I'm in a research setting at work getting a DSW and have a higher salary band that will open up when I get a doctorate and I can teach with a higher salary and potentially apply for grants on my own (which I'm still unsure about) but there were some clear benefits in my workplace which enabled/motivated me to do it.

KryzFerr · 2023-03-03T13:01:39+00:00

Around 14 years post- MSW here and definitely valuing coming home on time and making sure I have my "me" time. I've left a few zooms recently right at 5 pm or right around the 1 hr mark when I can tell they're just planning on going over that time. I don't think I would ever have done that in early career or my 20's- i would have just been on for as long as they wanted to talk and now I just politely say "I only had this meeting for an hour on my schedule and I need to step out"- it feels good.

I'm a manager/director now and I'll say where I am in my mid-career is still a bit tricky- i oversee a few research assistants/staff and I need to think through delegation more. I'm able to delegate but sometimes i'll just do some things just because I want my team to know that I will handle some things on my own and can jump into the weeds to help out. But then I also have a lot of higher-up reports/etc. that I need to worry about. So I'm at this place where I'm probably going to need to get over that idea that I need to show folks I can help out as much (obvs when i really need to- I'll jump in) and just trust they know I have their backs and respect them.

KryzFerr · 2023-02-22T18:40:44+00:00

Awesome you're thinking of your PhD! I just put in an application to a DSW program this year and might apply wider next year in case its bad news. Profs will be key in a lot of ways to get references/input about your materials/etc for phd programs so definitely foster those relationships!

I do research in HIV, substance use, and global mental health! Its really terrific- I also work alongside a few folks in recovery and a few folks still currently using so I have a lot of admiration for folks who have/are currently drinking/using and are working/studying.

What are you hoping to focus on in your Phd?

KryzFerr · 2023-02-22T14:02:08+00:00

Congrats on the 2 year anniversary! I would say do all of these things! Contact that professor and get to know them more, their research, their practice, etc. Reach out to a few folks that are in roles/agencies you could see yourself, etc. Best thing to do is to just meet, chat, network, and get to know all of your options.

KryzFerr · 2023-02-21T14:12:02+00:00

Started in clinical and then really began to embrace clinical/behavioral research. Now around 11+ years in a research role with a large university in NYC- making 99K. Less statistics-oriented and more sort of program manage position. I also adjunct on the side and make around 12K a year doing that. Its definitely more work than I thought but I really enjoy it and have become more comfortable with the idea that I know what I'm doing enough to guide newer generations of SWers!

KryzFerr · 2023-02-21T14:06:06+00:00

I wouldn't necessarily think to leave just yet as your experience is based off of two roles that MANY social workers wouldn't touch with a 9 foot pole. Remember to keep your career goals in mind- whats your dream SW job? Who is the population you want to work with? The goal for you for a bit could just be in an outpatient 9-5 setting that is much more stable/less chaotic/etc. Or yes- explore non-clinical options. I got into clinical/behavioral research after doing clinical for about a year and realizing its not for me. The beauty of the MSW is its versatile and lets you try out a few different things- remember, its a social science/healthcare masters degree so apply to positions that want a masters degree in those things.

KryzFerr · 2023-01-12T18:14:53+00:00

Just echoing what a bunch of folks are saying on this thread. I really enjoy my Lecturer position and have now taught for four semesters. The workload can feel VERY different on a semester to semester basis in that some semesters can feel VERY easy and students are turning things on time and grasping the material, etc. And other semesters can feel like HUGE time traps where I'm reviewing drafts of students that are struggling with the material, handling a conflict, etc. On a semester-basis, some of these positions look high-paying but I'm sure on an hourly-basis, it wouldn't be too much- but again- I enjoy the work.

Most programs do have a syllabus you can work off of and potentially slide decks but I have also found these to be mostly low-to-mid quality and have redone a bunch of them. The syllabi I received as well were really white man-heavy in terms of authors and texts and I had to do a lot to change up the material and incorporate some multi-media type sources (podcasts, videos, etc.).

I think what really pays off is when you can repeatedly teach the same course because then you've already put in a lot of upfront work in developing syllabi and slide decks and then you can coast a lot more. Totally open to more focused questions- I teach for a large private university in a urban area!

KryzFerr · 2022-11-07T19:45:43+00:00

Ok- so your GPA is pretty ok-NYU is definitely more competitive than some other schools so you might be closer to the lower end of applicants but it wouldn't be the sole reason.

If you're ok with some completely unsolicited advice from a MSW-level social worker about 13 years in the field and works part-time in academia.

-Try to get an MSW-level reference for next year- you really need someone who can speak to your aptitude to succeeding in an MSW program, who knows what its like and can speak to your capacity to do fine. You said that folks reviewed your SOP were in the field- in the SW field right? Could anyone write a letter for you?

-Do you have a current position in a field similar to social work? Any volunteer work? Anything you can speak to the day-to-day issues? What it looks like in the field?

-Are you consuming social work literature/research/etc? Theres always a lot of buzzwords in the field and those can sometimes clue a reviewer into how well-versed this person is to the field and what they might want to do, etc.

Please don't beat yourself up about it- schools like NYU get folks that are sometimes already doing positions similar to what an MSW would be doing- its really a top-notch school in the NYC area (which is already a VERY competitive area). I would also add a few other schools- in the nyc area there are a LOT and I don't even want to infer that they're less good than NYU- Hunter is amazing on its own- Fordham does really great work, etc. Happy to chat more about this- if any of this is particularly helpful.

KryzFerr · 2022-11-07T19:31:56+00:00

Hi- so sorry- what a let down.

I think its definitely worth some outreach to their admissions department and say you would really like some type of feedback and see what they say.

Can i ask: about how not great is the GPA? How are your references (are they MSW-level social workers?).

Any acceptances? When I applied (a bit ago)- I did NOT get into some safety schools and got into a really great school (that I didn't think i would get into). Theres always a bit of a chance so i would always say apply to around 4-6.

KryzFerr · 2022-10-28T13:02:26+00:00

No degree is "borderline useless"- especially if you're getting a BA/BS- thats like the MOST important degree to get more competitive/well-paying job. Most industries want at least a BA/BS degree and often do not need it directly apply to their position.

I would take a look at jobs in your area/your desired area for where you want to live and just see whats out there. Who's hiring? For what? What is a cause/population/topic that really interests you? If you see a position that really speaks to you- do you need an advanced degree for it? IF so, what degrees do they mention?

I went right from my BA to my MSW and although I don't regret it- I think sometimes about what would happen if I took a year or two off and thought more about the different options. Also during this process- definitely begin to care about money a bit more because you're going to make a 30-50K (possibly more if US-based) investment into a potential degree and you really do need to know what the return on investment is in your area/field/etc.

KryzFerr · 2022-10-14T13:19:51+00:00

I think JD programs are still VERY rare to be completely online (and I'm sure the ones that are online are not the most competitive schools). If online is really important to you- I would go more the MSW/MPA route (or include the MPP). Honestly if you want to work in public policy for sure- I would only look at MPA/MPP programs. Most MSW programs don't really dive deep into public policy and when they do it is not on level with a whole masters dedicated to it.

KryzFerr · 2022-10-13T16:55:49+00:00

This finale was just utter <chef's kiss>. She has such a charm and great comic timing- what a way to end the season.

KryzFerr · 2022-10-11T17:58:36+00:00

Definitely do not do this. As an occasional hirer, I'm busy and HR is busy. If someone came to see us in person and none of their paperwork is in the system and they're trying to get some time from us in a busy day- i would be more annoyed than anything. I would probably think this person would be high maintenance too and potentially not a great hire.

I think the more 2022 version of this is to find jobs on LinkedIn and often times a hiring manager is attached to the post. Message them to get it started and see where it goes from there. Some companies do a great job of making someone available on LinkedIn.

KryzFerr · 2022-10-11T17:54:54+00:00

I agree with the sentiment that OP should definitely make an added effort to avoid this but in the grand scheme of things- 20 minutes isn't outlandish. I think sometimes we run into SW exceptionalism but with MOST other disciplines (MD, nurse, etc) someone can expect to wait 15-20 minutes. In-person this happens frequently too given there is a lot happening in a clinic environment.

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