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Why did you or did you not take a gap year after completing your bachelor's in social work and what was your experience like with the choice you made? #Spring24
For those completing their bachelor's in social work, did you go straight to graduate school or did you take a gap year and why? I know it's a common dilemma but I'm mostly worried about finding a job so I'm thinking of going straight to grad school but I'm also worried about having to take out more loans. #Spring24
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Maura’s Answer
Hi Ashley!
I think considering a gap year between your bachelor's in social work and your master's degree is a great question to ask yourself. I obtained my BA in Psychology and then took a gap year after to work, fully intending to go back to grad school to become a licensed therapist. Though I was fully in love with my psychology coursework, internships, and volunteer experiences I obtained during my undergraduate degree, I realized upon entering the workplace as a professional that grad school for psychology may no longer be what was right for me. School can teach you theory, but it can not provide you the immersed experience in motivational interviewing, crisis deescalation, writing treatment plans, mitigating conflict, secondary traumatization, etc. I am so grateful that I allowed myself that experience, because had I jumped straight into grad school, I may have made a financially demanding and time consuming choice that did not most accurately align with the profession I was best suited for.
Do what you love and love what you do! But it may be easier to love something on paper than working it all day, every day. I have such deep gratitude for the work I was able to do during my psychology job as well as for the people I was privileged to serve. Ultimately it is your journey, but I would encourage you not jump straight into graduate school out of fear of not finding a job right away. In helping professions we often must pay our dues, work lower paying jobs for intensive emotional labor, but it is a beautiful opportunity to evaluate if it is a lifestyle you will not burn out from. Building off of that, it may be an opportunity to explore other interests, or become more interested in a niche part of social work that you can study further in your graduate school career, should you choose to attend.
I wish you luck, and know that no matter what you choose, it is your own personal and professional journey that only you can decide. There are no right or wrong choices, you are never stuck, and you can always reevaluate and move on from there.
I think considering a gap year between your bachelor's in social work and your master's degree is a great question to ask yourself. I obtained my BA in Psychology and then took a gap year after to work, fully intending to go back to grad school to become a licensed therapist. Though I was fully in love with my psychology coursework, internships, and volunteer experiences I obtained during my undergraduate degree, I realized upon entering the workplace as a professional that grad school for psychology may no longer be what was right for me. School can teach you theory, but it can not provide you the immersed experience in motivational interviewing, crisis deescalation, writing treatment plans, mitigating conflict, secondary traumatization, etc. I am so grateful that I allowed myself that experience, because had I jumped straight into grad school, I may have made a financially demanding and time consuming choice that did not most accurately align with the profession I was best suited for.
Do what you love and love what you do! But it may be easier to love something on paper than working it all day, every day. I have such deep gratitude for the work I was able to do during my psychology job as well as for the people I was privileged to serve. Ultimately it is your journey, but I would encourage you not jump straight into graduate school out of fear of not finding a job right away. In helping professions we often must pay our dues, work lower paying jobs for intensive emotional labor, but it is a beautiful opportunity to evaluate if it is a lifestyle you will not burn out from. Building off of that, it may be an opportunity to explore other interests, or become more interested in a niche part of social work that you can study further in your graduate school career, should you choose to attend.
I wish you luck, and know that no matter what you choose, it is your own personal and professional journey that only you can decide. There are no right or wrong choices, you are never stuck, and you can always reevaluate and move on from there.
Updated
Choumika’s Answer
Hey there,
Just imagine, after wrapping up your bachelor's degree in social work, you choose to take a breather and embark on a gap year. You'd probably want to reflect on why you made that choice and how it has shaped your personal and professional journey.
In my case, after earning my BSW, I decided to step away from academia to gather some hands-on experience in the field and check out the various career avenues in social work. I had plans of going back to school for my MSW, but somewhere along the line, I lost my drive and never got around to it.
At the end of the day, it's all about what best fuels your personal and professional growth in the long haul. If you think a gap year fits into your life's roadmap and you've got a solid plan to make the most of it, it could turn out to be a fantastic chance for growth and discovery. But, if the thought of losing your drive worries you, it might be a good idea to look into other alternatives that let you take a breather while still keeping you engaged in worthwhile pursuits.
Just imagine, after wrapping up your bachelor's degree in social work, you choose to take a breather and embark on a gap year. You'd probably want to reflect on why you made that choice and how it has shaped your personal and professional journey.
In my case, after earning my BSW, I decided to step away from academia to gather some hands-on experience in the field and check out the various career avenues in social work. I had plans of going back to school for my MSW, but somewhere along the line, I lost my drive and never got around to it.
At the end of the day, it's all about what best fuels your personal and professional growth in the long haul. If you think a gap year fits into your life's roadmap and you've got a solid plan to make the most of it, it could turn out to be a fantastic chance for growth and discovery. But, if the thought of losing your drive worries you, it might be a good idea to look into other alternatives that let you take a breather while still keeping you engaged in worthwhile pursuits.
Updated
Evelyn’s Answer
Shaping your career is a personal journey, not just a professional one. It's you who holds the power to make the best decisions, considering all factors unique to your situation. This includes your career goals, financial situation, and short, medium, and long-term objectives. It also includes the pace at which you plan to complete your education. Like many others, I too had to ponder over these aspects. In my case, I chose not to take a gap year and headed straight to university to earn my degree. But remember, there's no right or wrong here.
Taking a gap year comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. It can be a golden opportunity to earn some money through temporary work, or gain hands-on experience in your chosen field through a voluntary internship. This could give you a clearer vision of what you want from your future career when you resume your studies.
Moreover, this time can be used - even now - to expand your network. Connect with people pursuing similar studies or careers, learn from their experiences, whether they took a gap year or not. This will help you make a well-informed decision. Gaining insights from others' career paths is always beneficial, so gather as much information as you can. Tap into your network, read articles, listen to TED talks, and study case studies.
Taking a gap year comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. It can be a golden opportunity to earn some money through temporary work, or gain hands-on experience in your chosen field through a voluntary internship. This could give you a clearer vision of what you want from your future career when you resume your studies.
Moreover, this time can be used - even now - to expand your network. Connect with people pursuing similar studies or careers, learn from their experiences, whether they took a gap year or not. This will help you make a well-informed decision. Gaining insights from others' career paths is always beneficial, so gather as much information as you can. Tap into your network, read articles, listen to TED talks, and study case studies.