Social Work

Princessxx

I'm not to sure where to have put this thread but I said I would try here and see. I'm currently in Lc about to finish and next year I was hoping to Public and Social Policy in NUIG and go on to do a master in Social Work. I was just wondering in anyone a social worker or in the process of becoming one who can give me advice? My dad just got on to me recently who was talking to his friends who are social worker saying oh there are no jobs in it, long hours for very little pay. I was just wondering is this true because when I had been to the trinity open day they had said that social workers are actually in demand? Would love any information anyone can give me

Thanks

bisset

The vast majority of social workers are employed by the HSE or HSE funded organisations. Due to the Public sector moratorium there are very few jobs in Ireland. However if you do a 3 year BA and 1 year's work experience then a 2 years Masters you will not be looking for a qualified social work post until 2018 and the economy may be in a different position then. There are very few degrees that guarantee a job in Ireland and in many fields it is benefical to gain experience overseas. Good luck

LadyMayBelle

Hi Princess, if you do a quick search on boards you will see there are quite a few threads on how to get into social work and how to get work as a social worker.

If you are in LC you have the choice of doing a 4 year degree (Cork) or do the degree as you suggested and then do the 2 year Masters. So yes, youve got at least 4 years before you are looking for work, and I do think things will be up.

I went to the UK to work, but not because there were or are no jobs in Ireland. All of my class got work and also as far as I know the years after me did also. Granted most of the SW jobs are in the HSE but there are jobs outside also in voluntary bodies (think disability, community support, hospices, housing agencies, probation, private clinics, the civil service, drug and homelessness charities for example)

When I startd applying for the Masters in 07/08, I was told there are no jobs. Yes, things are worse now,. but I do think things are getting better and will have in your time.

Long hours? Depends; if you are a full timer you can expect the normal hours, if you work in Child Protection there may be late evenings etc, but again, social work is so, so broad, people often only think of Child Protection.

SW skills are also very transferrable; you can work in a variety of different areas with a social work qualification. Go for it. Do that degree anyways and I guess from there you can decide if you want to pursue it further. SW opens up opprotunities once you think outside the 'box'.

Princessxx

Thanks very much for your replies they were really helpful I'm still going to go towards social work even if my dad thinks its a bad idea I'd rather be in a job i enjoy then dreading getting up every morning just cause the pay is that little bit better. But I guess I'll just have to see what August brings (hopfully good news) and see where I go from there thanks your your help

bisset

You should be aware that if you qualify as a social worker you will likely have to pay a fee of €300 to work in Ireland. If you think thats a bad idea please tell your TD.

Good luck

bob21ennis

Hey Princess how are you. Did you get into Arts with public and social policy. I want to study it come September how are you finding it specially the economics

Princessxx

bob21ennis wrote: »

Hey Princess how are you. Did you get into Arts with public and social policy. I want to study it come September how are you finding it specially the economics

Hi I did get in to NUIG this September but I changed mt CAO a few days before the deadline and am now doing plain arts but I am doing Economics, Psychology, Sociology and Political studies and Philosophy and still have it in mind to become a Social Worker. What can I say about Economics its defiantly not an easy subject. I did microeconomics last semester and found it to contain a lot of graphs and formulas which you must learn. Although I'm only 2 weeks into the second semester and were doing macroeconomics I find it a bit more easy you discuss more problems such as unemployment, Trade, recession and the environment so it does seem to be a lot more theory based which I prefer ,though it still is not without its graphs. So its up to you personally if it sounds like a subject you like then go for it. I know your thinking of doing public and social policy but its so different were all in the same lectures and sit the same exam come exam time so just up to you to decide. If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask and I'll help as much as I can

bob21ennis

Hey Princess how's things. How did your exam's go. Good I hope. Ya I'm planning on doing general arts next September now. Doing Economics now at the moment and microeconomics nearly killed me the graphs and formulas were horrible. Enjoying the macroeconomics now do have to give a presentation on it in three weeks time. How you finding philosophy not really enjoying it. Love the ethics part of it only the early stuff like plato and aristotle so boring at times. Cant wait to do soc and pol do and taking psychology to and get into social work through that. Awh thank you. Well hpe to hear from you

nawapatr

hi Princessxx and bob21ennis,

I'm an NUIG BA public and social policy graduate and am currently in my final year of the masters in social work in NUIG also. Can I just advise you that doing the 'plain' arts degree does not qualify you to do apply for the social work masters in UCD, Trinity and UCC because there isn't a sufficient amount of public and social policy in a general arts degree which they require you to have if you intend to apply for their masters programs. However, NUIG are the only university who don't have this requirement because they teach a module on social policy in 1st year of masters. This is all well and good if you want to do your masters in NUIG but bear in mind that there are only 20 places a year. So to really increase your chances of getting a place, you would need to apply to all the four colleges who offer it.

bob21ennis I would recommend doing the BA in public and social policy or the social science degree either in UCD or UCC if you are serious about pursuing a masters in social work. Princessxx, I realise you are already on the general arts program and your other option is to do a higher diploma in social policy after you finish your degree so you are eligible to apply for the masters in TCD, UCD and UCC. the only downside to this is that it is expensive and is only offered in UCD and UCC. You also need to get relevant work experience. I took a year out after my undergrad and did full time volunteering with a homeless charity.

If I can help you with anything else let me know.

bob21ennis

Hey Newapatr,
Thanks for your reply. I'm actually going to do general arts now because I have gone through a access course this year in NUIG and I did Economics, tell you the truth I couldn't do Economics for another three years I found it way to difficult