Seeking the help of others

[Sappo569]

Hey guys, this is WAY outside the realm of cars.... but this is also off-topic.

So I was hoping maybe at least one of the people on here are in the field of Social Work,

The reason I ask is my GF is having quite a bit of trouble recently since graduation.

She has her BA from Brock in a specific type of social work, (children I believe), and also has completed more schooling through George Brown as well some certificate courses, etc.

The problem being she is now finding all the jobs she wants to do require a Masters... but no Masters programs will take her because her Bachelors is not the right 'type'... (I am out of my depth here, barely graduated high-school :) )

Has anyone else gone through this never-ending nightmare?

Has she really 'wasted' almost 4-5 years in school just to do a job she was already doing before starting?

Any help would be greatly appreciated in this subject.

[krimsalt]

What do you mean her bachelor is not the right type? How many years was she in school. And if no masters programs is taking her in it means she is missing a required prerequisite

[Sappo569]

Errr... it was a type of social work, but not the 'right' type for the masters program I guess?

She started at UOT, transferred to Brock to finish it

I realize Social Work as a whole is like most other jobs, there are many compartmentalized specific jobs in that blanket... but it cant be THAT different

[Hoodzy]

I would suggest talking to an adviser/job placement person at either UOT and or Brock in regards to her program specifically. To either see what jobs she can apply for and what if any masters programs she can apply for as well. Even going through the calendar for the program my give you some hints as to what programs schools she could continue on into.

[Lactose]

I would suggest talking to an adviser/job placement person at either UOT and or Brock in regards to her program specifically. To either see what jobs she can apply for and what if any masters programs she can apply for as well. Even going through the calendar for the program my give you some hints as to what programs schools she could continue on into.

+1. The academic advisors are the go to people to start off. Usually they get these kinds of questions a lot. Make sure you talk to more than one though.

[lcianf01]

Hey there,

So she went to social work at brook. And what post grad program did she take at george brown? My G/F is simular, psychology at brook and BST behavioural science tech at geroge brown. Now she is an instructor theripist working with austisic childern. BTW i can't spell.

[MarkWB]

Your hopes and prayers are answered!

The first thing your girlfriend needs to know is that she doesn't need a Masters to get a good job in Social Work. I have a job that pays well, with benefits, etc in that field, and all I've got is a college diploma...oh, and 3 years experience. Your girlfriend needs to realize that these jobs are not just handed out to any of the thousands of SW grads every year (York, U of T, Brock, Ryerson, plus all the colleges...) and like most jobs that pay 40+k a year and require you to be in direct care of vulnerable people, you need some valuable experience. Work where she works, get more training, volunteer somewhere. It'd be my advice that if she's having difficulty getting into the Masters, don't waste more time on it. Look into volunteering somewhere that provides services she's interested in providing. Also, professional training, if her existing job is in that area they may be willing to pay for all or part of it. As long as she's alive, she can get a Masters degree anytime she wants. Tell her to check out resources like Charityvillage.com, as well as the ontario government job site and google (for workopolis, monster, w/e else pops up). She has a bachelors, shes starting out better than me...if she puts her mind to it, she'll find a job in the next year.

Best of luck!

[Sappo569]

Well she does have job experience, 2-3 I believe working with persons with disabilities and the like

Also tonnes of volunteer (like going on 10 years)

That is why I have such a hard to figuring out why the Masters will not take her :D


The program at George Brown was Child and Youth Worker

Also I believe the BA was Social Work but had a strong focus on the criminal side of things (she would like to work in a corrections environment I had once heard)


Man if she read this I would be in so much trouble.... not knowing her program OR her birthday. :bang

[MarkWB]

Well she does have job experience, 2-3 I believe working with persons with disabilities and the like

Also tonnes of volunteer (like going on 10 years)

That is why I have such a hard to figuring out why the Masters will not take her :D


The program at George Brown was Child and Youth Worker

Also I believe the BA was Social Work but had a strong focus on the criminal side of things (she would like to work in a corrections environment I had once heard)


Man if she read this I would be in so much trouble.... not knowing her program OR her birthday. :bang

It may be that the courses she took in her BA/college program do not meet the standards of the particular Masters program she's looking into. Her best bet would be to talk with advisors from each school she's applying to BEFORE she applies to it and have them see if she meets the requirements education wise. Your girlfriend (by her work history) also seems to be of mature student status, has she tried applying that way?

It's still my opinion she's better to enter the workforce in a solid job (aka move on from what shes in now) and go for the masters later. She may play around with different roles in this field and find criminal justice isn't right for her, and she'd rather work with victims of crime (just an example) and then she could pick a Masters program that suits both her future goals and her skills and experience...Ryerson also has some online grad certificates and professional development courses that can be helpful to career building as well.

[Sappo569]

Thanks Mark I'll see what comes of the advice

I just know she is frustrated and disslusioned big time, I can only help so much thats why I came here for some help :)

I'm just a goon in a suit, no fancy book learning degrees for me!