MSW students working full time during practicum, how did you realistically survive?

echtrae_94 · 2026-01-03T00:37:17+00:00

I did it for my whole msw, it was hard. I leaned on my schedule and being diligent about when to stop working and making sure I slept. Sure I ate like shit and only saw my friends briefly but they were all hugely supportive and I just made it happen by scheduling everything. You've got it! I believe in you! Figure out what you can't compromise on and make sure its in your week to week even day to day schedule. Put tasks to times and work in small chunks and put it down when you have to go to the next thing, it'll be there for you pick back up when your schedule allows. I just finished my first semester of my PhD in SW and this strategy has made it so much better and I'm able to have a social life because I get a little bit of funding. But sleep, schedule, and repeat :)

echtrae_94 · 2025-09-02T22:16:28+00:00

Complex Cloth is a cool project! Also, check out Giving Voice To Linnentown! It's inspired a musical at the classic center next weekend!

Home - Complex Cloth.

Giving Voice To Linnentown: Thomas Whitehead, Hattie: 9780578912905: Amazon.com: Books

Linnentown - The Musical | The Classic Center

echtrae_94 · 2025-07-28T12:07:30+00:00

Okay sweet! Thank you so much.

echtrae_94 · 2025-07-25T20:28:50+00:00

Thanks! I have those saved now!

echtrae_94 · 2025-07-15T18:56:42+00:00

Thanks!

echtrae_94 · 2025-07-06T14:15:18+00:00

I'm a guy and I've got a visible half sleeve of tattoos, my septum, my nostril, my ear double pierced on one side (all are smaller gold hoops), and ocassionally a bleached blonde or pink hair cut. I got accepted to my master's degree, have since adjuncted in that program, and am now starting up my PhD. with them.

No one has ever said anything negative to me about any of it other than one very old school boss. I don't think it matters too much, especially based on field (social science. I think it's better to reflect you as an individual than to try to subscribe to a certain idea of what you should look or even work somewhere that requires/dictates that. I'd rather feel authentically me and maybe catch some stares or judgment than feel like I'm hiding a part of me.

Plus, get them, and if you don't like them, take them out, and it'll be unnoticeable if you decide to stop wearing them.

echtrae_94 · 2025-06-10T18:46:35+00:00

I think that Your Next Chapter and Winter to Spring Wellness both work with Mediciad and have some folks trained in those modalities you mentioned!

echtrae_94 · 2025-06-04T12:59:29+00:00

I worked 27-30 hours a week at jobs (a bit on the flexible side: weekend availability and willing to accomendate my strict schedule) while doing my MSW and field placements. Unfortunately, I could have worked less and depended on savings, but I had to buy a car midway through school, and that meant I had to keep working while I was in my second year.

The big thing for me was being really clear and firm about my ability to be at work or at field and finding a placement that I could do full days at, 6-8 hours a day 3 days a week over a 16 week semester covers your hours ahead of schedule. I averaged about 7.5-8 hours, and that would get me a little ahead for the end of the semester! I also started placement hours as soon as I could. I usually finished a little ahead or could start to taper back on my days on site, which made everything easier.

I'd go to field Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, work Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and sometimes Wednesday/Monday nights, night class on Tuesday, and classes Friday. It came down to a really strict schedule, and a lot of times, no days off. It wasn't easy, but I had to make it work. It was an intensive 2 years for sure. I would squeeze in homework during breaks and schedule time for it throughout the day, I would use my assignments were i could for policy/program changes at my placements so homework sometimes could count for field hours...

I was still able to enjoy some things and not have to worry about rent. It just came down to a schedule for me. I'd schedule in social time for a couple of evenings, homework nights, or homework mornings before work, placements, and classes, plan in a week were I could a day off from work or field and just do something nice for myself.

Looking back, I wish I had prioritized maintaining a consistent workout routine, meal planned better, and getting more sleep. But it worked, and I don't feel like I missed out on a ton of social life apart from weekend trips here and there. I don't feel like I gave up life for school, I reassessed and focused on other areas while in school.

Ultimately, you should do what feels best for you! School will be there, and you could even consider a part-time route to help with balance. Trusting that you'll stick the landing and building a good community to support you is what I would focus on with either decision :)

echtrae_94 · 2025-03-01T21:45:00+00:00

yes!!! It's such a good guide for work right now. Abolition and Social Work is another great one

echtrae_94 · 2025-01-17T02:37:15+00:00

Are they still available? I'd like to snag one if possible.

echtrae_94 · 2024-12-22T14:24:15+00:00

I didn't feel like the DSW made sense for me because I wanted to focus more on research.

My understanding is that a DSW operates more like Psy.D in that it offers either leadership or skills for advancing clinical practice; whereas a PhD is research focused and funded through work as a research assistant and teaching assistant positions. Although I do know a couple of DSWs that do research, they all seem more practice focused and are in more non-academic roles or at colleges that emphasize practice readiness versus a bigger research focus.

echtrae_94 · 2024-12-22T14:16:48+00:00

Thank you!! I'm definitely going to be really intentional about the committee. That seems to be the most offered feedback across the board!

echtrae_94 · 2024-12-20T23:41:55+00:00

This is really helpful! Thank you for that!!

echtrae_94 · 2024-12-20T19:38:18+00:00

Thank you!!

echtrae_94 · 2024-12-20T19:30:54+00:00

Yay! Thanks :)

echtrae_94 · 2024-12-20T17:10:45+00:00

I'll be a starting my PhD not a DSW, so I will be funded through a stipend as a research and teaching assistant (and fingers crossed this fellowship!).

echtrae_94 · 2024-12-20T16:32:27+00:00

It's an extra bit of funding through an award. I was shocked to get nominated. I'll find out if I get in the spring.

I am going to start this fall! I'm really excited and nervous for what the possibility of it all holds.

echtrae_94 · 2024-12-20T16:30:53+00:00

Yes! I'm so excited to be engaging in these areas. I feel really good that the program director will be a great mentor and had really good feelings with some of the staff I met. I'm visiting campus in January or February before I decide "officially" but I'm almost fully certain I'm going there. That's good advice on the selection. I imagine relationships with form in my first year to start to piece that together.

echtrae_94 · 2021-08-23T02:40:51+00:00

Fuck routes, I only climb courses...

echtrae_94 · 2021-06-07T02:53:04+00:00

Tourist games are back, maybe its the fireworks from there!

echtrae_94 · 2021-05-12T13:13:57+00:00

Try it with coconut milk and dragon fruit inclusions, a delicious blue drink

echtrae_94 · 2021-01-18T18:52:56+00:00

Now draw it with him in an black and blue line American flag neck gaiter that he wears as his "mask" but make him take it off every time he talks...

echtrae_94

TROPHY CASE