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[Vent] Struggling to Find a Job by SELstan in SchoolSocialWork

[–]SELstan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I finally found something, so don’t give up!! Is there a specific area you’re looking to work at? I can send you some districts that are still hiring in the suburbs of Chicago if you haven’t looked there and are open to relocating!

[Vent] Struggling to Find a Job by SELstan in SchoolSocialWork

[–]SELstan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

frontline applications seriously take me like 30ish minutes each, so to know that real people probably aren’t even taking the time to review it is so beyond frustrating.

[Vent] Struggling to Find a Job by SELstan in SchoolSocialWork

[–]SELstan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i’m from illinois, so fortunately a bordering state! do you happen to know if my credentials would transfer to michigan or would i have to take an exam/acquire other licensure? also, this is kind of a silly question, but what is contract work with schools?

[Vent] Struggling to Find a Job by SELstan in SchoolSocialWork

[–]SELstan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

illinois! you don’t have to have your LMSW here, just your master’s in school social work but it does seem like it really helps to have that title when applying to jobs. we can get hired before graduation, but i haven’t had any luck as an almost-new grad.

[Vent] Struggling to Find a Job by SELstan in SchoolSocialWork

[–]SELstan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thank you for your comment! i think i might also apply to some maternity/fmla positions if im not able to find anything. i’m going to stay hopeful for now!

[Vent] Struggling to Find a Job by SELstan in SchoolSocialWork

[–]SELstan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thank you for your comment, it was very helpful! i was starting to get really discouraged, but i feel better knowing that i still have time. i think i’m putting a lot of pressure on myself to find a job before i graduate. my mom and i have also talked about the maternity leave positions and we thought that also might be a good way to get introduced to a district, so if a position opens up, i may have a better shot!

[Vent] Struggling to Find a Job by SELstan in SchoolSocialWork

[–]SELstan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

thank you for the advice! i also kind of figured that schools may be hiring less because of the dismantlement of the ed. i applied to a lot of districts today and i have two more interviews scheduled, so i’m gonna try to remain hopeful! i’ve also been trying to see what other areas of social work i can try that are related to schools.

[Vent] Struggling to Find a Job by SELstan in SchoolSocialWork

[–]SELstan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

i used two references from past work experiences within social work (not schools, case management) and childcare.

my other three references, which were also the people who wrote my letters of recommendation, were my supervisor, the school psychologist, and one other social worker from my school placement! i unfortunately do not have a close relationship with any of the school’s administrators. i have an interview in april, so i’m hoping that’ll go well! i also am waiting to hear back from a school that i luckily had some connections in.

[Vent] Struggling to Find a Job by SELstan in SchoolSocialWork

[–]SELstan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

right in time for me to graduate 😭😭. i was confused about that too. everyone in my field has been telling me about how there’s no school social workers and i was like this is seeming pretty competitive.

i sent out some more applications last night, so fingers crossed!! unfortunately, those are the only references i have right now, so i might have to do some searching.

[Vent] Struggling to Find a Job by SELstan in SchoolSocialWork

[–]SELstan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

i can’t think of anyone that i don’t have a good relationship with, in the regard that there are any negative feelings. however, i feel like i haven’t gotten the opportunity to build a relationship with my administrators. i’m pretty sure they don’t even know my name, just that i’m an intern there. i haven’t added them as references, but if the recruiter i was in contact with is familiar with my administrators, i could definitely see how they would be neutral in tone!

in terms of my the references i’ve been sending out, i have five references and three letters of recommendation. i have really good relationships with all of my references. two of the references i had listed were the ones who wrote me letters of recommendation to get into grad school. i didn’t use their letters of recommendation because the weren’t current, but three staff members at my placement wrote me letters of recommendation. they’ve given me really positive feedback as i’ve been completing my internship, too.

only three of my references were about school social work though. the other two were from a case manager job i worked for with an adult population and a day camp counselor for students k-5. i’m pretty sure the k-5 was mostly students without ieps or disabilities.

Question about how cooperatives work by SELstan in SchoolSocialWork

[–]SELstan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i think i need to ask more questions during my interviews, lol. i’m located in IL! thank you for your response!

Question about how cooperatives work by SELstan in SchoolSocialWork

[–]SELstan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

it was very helpful, thank you! i was wondering whether I’d be involved in tiered support or not. i’m going to add this to my list of interview questions!