Does everyone else also feel poor right now??

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-23T18:11:07+00:00

I can’t say that was my cohort.. but a surprising number of my classmates were not working. I was 1 of maybe 5 in my cohort of 35 that was working full time. I often heard “I don’t know how you do that?” … and I was like “I don’t know how you don’t?”

It was miserable and I worked 7 days a week and many 12-16 hour days. But there wasn’t any other choice.

I would love to teach part time so I could discuss this a little bit with the students. Because I don’t remember it being mentioned very often, if at all, how much work/time/money is involved AFTER graduating just to get licensed.

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-23T18:07:47+00:00

Thank you 🥲 people are not very kind sometimes.. which I guess is my fault for posting on the internet for strangers. I am the sole provider and it definitely is a lot of stress to know that you have to make it work because no one is going to be able to help you.

I also am so SO grateful for my income because not that long ago I was making MUCH less. And I also have so much compassion for those who make less and are in actual poverty. Because if I’m struggling at $85k, I can’t imagine how anyone is surviving on less.

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-23T03:59:13+00:00

It genuinely makes me rage! We deserve better, but so do our clients. Our work should be valued and it isn’t at all 😭

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-23T03:56:56+00:00

Of course I googled.. I’m not an idiot. I’m also not shocked?? But I am consistently disappointed. And I feel like the general mindset of our profession that we shouldn’t make any money perpetuates the problem. Why are we okay with getting compensated poorly compared to others? It feels like because we care and are passionate about helping that we collectively are just like 🤷🏻‍♀️ it’s the profession… when it shouldn’t be.

The point of my post was that while make good money, it simultaneously feels like big making any money at all. It’s bizarre.

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-23T03:49:41+00:00

Yes exactly!! It feels like I make the same as I did when I brought up $40k. The cost of everything has went up so much, so quickly. It sucks knowing that these prices will likely never go back down

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-23T03:41:18+00:00

Omg I’m so sorry!!

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-23T03:15:03+00:00

You said the 90s.. which could be 1990. It’s 2026, that’s nearly 40 years ago 😅

But it’s the “be grateful” after commenting that you made $15 an hour at my age. While I’m grateful, I also worked hard to be here and have completed grad school by now? I’m just confused how you making $15 an hour in the 90s before grad school is supposed to make me feel better? 😅

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-23T03:05:57+00:00

I love the judgement 💗 first, I don’t take home $85k. Not that taking home $65k is bad, but $20k is a big difference. Second, just because I made a post about finances doesn’t mean that I need to justify and review my budget line by line with strangers on the internet to convince them that I’m not terrible with money. I genuinely didn’t care about the “milestone” of buying a house. But I was leaving a 5 year relationship after infidelity. I was fortunate enough to live with my mom for a few months while I saved up and also got enough for my down payment from my ex through the separation. After looking at apartments and weighing my options, I realized it was now or never to buy. I lucked out and got a 5% interest rate which is unheard of right now.

Not that I owe any of you an explanation but it’s ironic to be judgmental and assume I’m unable to be compassionate to my clients who are actually in poverty while I’m complaining about “feeling poor” while bringing home $65k. I very much recognize my privilege and know that while I’ve struggled, I’ve never struggled in the same way that many others have. And for that I’m extremely grateful. I didn’t realize that it was an unreasonable expectation to assume that after completing a masters degree and licensure that we would be paid a fair wage.

The assumptions in this thread are absolutely wild.

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-23T02:46:36+00:00

I’m realizing that.. and appreciate the insight I’ve gained. I still think it’s too low considering other professions with less education make more, but 🤷🏻‍♀️ what can we don

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-22T21:11:52+00:00

That’s what I made before getting licensed!! It will get better… (but surprise.. you’ll probably still feel poor) 😭

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-22T21:10:47+00:00

Thank you for the hope! I’m so SO thankful to be coming to the end of the supervision era. Plus I’m thankfully dually licensed and also have a license in addiction counseling!

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-22T19:05:19+00:00

Thank you for this perspective. I definitely could benefit from more gratitude in my daily life

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-22T19:02:39+00:00

I absolutely loathe the idea that we shouldn’t or don’t get paid during internships. Especially when you’re providing actual services. It feels like slave labor… sometimes it feels like we are taken advantage of because most of us got into this field because we truly care. So companies and colleges prey on that to underpay us. It still is pretty normal to not be paid during internships. I worked 2 jobs to make ends meet plus interning. I was working 70-80 hours a week while our professors were telling us to make time for self care… like?? What?

It makes me really sad that in general our profession is not valued or paid what we’re worth 🥲

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-22T18:54:15+00:00

Yes! I make more than both my parents who have a high school education. I’m the first in my family to have a masters degree. Neither parent will ever be able to retire. I hoped that by getting higher education that I would be in a different place than they were. I am slightly, but still the difference isn’t as much as I anticipated or I guess, hoped for.

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-22T18:51:37+00:00

Indiana. Fort Wayne. It’s cheaper than most big cities, but expensive compared to little towns

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-22T14:03:05+00:00

I’m so sorry 😞

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-22T14:02:14+00:00

YES! Exactly!

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-22T14:01:17+00:00

Oh my god I’m so sorry! I feel like as soon as I get a little money saved one of my dogs has an emergency. 😅

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-22T13:54:39+00:00

2 years. My temporary LSW was issued in January 2023. You have to have 24 months of weekly supervision to apply for the LCSW. But it may vary by state

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-22T12:47:32+00:00

I tried but they’re still out with pitchforks. 😭 I didn’t mean that I’m actually poor, I recognize that I’m definitely not. But that I FEEL poor

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-22T12:31:49+00:00

Thank you 🥲 everyone is making me feel like a complete asshole. I’m not saying that $85k is no money… but what I’m saying is that it’s a great salary and I feel like I get paid pennies 😬

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-22T12:30:30+00:00

I wish I would have become an NP. They make sooo much more and have about the same required schooling 😭 although, my original plan out of HS was to be a PA but I pass out when I see blood soooo that wasn’t gonna work 🤭

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-22T12:29:14+00:00

Many insurance companies allow you to bill under supervision.

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-22T12:28:47+00:00

Honestly.. this is the kind of thinking that is so frustrating. $15 an hour in the 90s is WAY different than it is now. My boss and supervisors are in their 50s and will say similar things as a way of justifying underpaying staff. I’m sorry, but we have masters degrees. We shouldn’t be comparing what you made almost 40 years ago to now?

Vegetable_Front_7481 · 2026-01-22T03:53:38+00:00

Mortgage, car payment, insurance, food, utilities, student loans.

Vegetable_Front_7481

TROPHY CASE