Psychology and social work?

Question

Has anyone out there majored in psychology or social work? If so, what kind of classes did you take in college? Did you enjoy picking that as your major? What kind of job are you hoping to get or have? I am currently going to transfer and I am not sure if I should make psychology or social work my major or even have education as a minor to fall back on. I am so confused on what to do. I am wondering what some people have done and whether it worked out for them in the long run. Any advice or experiences with these majors please let me know.

Answer 1

I'll go question by question here:

-  Majored in PSY or Social Work?:

Yes, I have a BA in Psychology.

-  What classes did I take?:

I took a variety of courses within different subdisciplines within Psychology-- the major required it.  I also did research assisting with a professor, was a Teaching Assistant for Introductory Psychology, and worked at the campus writing center.  Like a lot of people getting degrees, I also took some electives, just for fun: creative writing, religion, and art history.

Finally, I also did an internship at the local mental health facility, since someone once told me that people who don't do internships often end up unemployed.

-  Did you enjoy picking that as your major?

I did enjoy the classes, especially social psychology courses.  I liked thinking about why people do what they do.  Biopsychology, and, to a lesser extent, cognitive psychology, were difficult, but it was useful and made me feel like the major I was completing had a lot of content and value.

-  What kind of job are you hoping to get or have?

Thank goodness for that internship.  I started out just applying for anything I could find: I was aiming for nonprofit agencies, social services, things like that, but no one would even give me a second interview.  I blame it on the lack of experience to accompany the degree.  

That internship saved my butt: it got me in the door at the mental health facility where I interned.  I had to take a high-school-level position (behavioral health technician at a group home), due to the relative lack of experience, but it's been two years now, and I've moved up to a job as a case manager at an inpatient psychiatric facility.  This job requires a Bachelor's degree and two years of experience.  It also pays a little bit better.  Nothing amazing, but it pays the bills.

Still, I looked forward and knew that a BA in Psych wouldn't do anything for me beyond where I am, unless I wanted to be a manager.  Managers are on salary and are overworked: honestly, I'd rather continue as a case manager than do that.  This is the life of someone without a grad degree in Psychology.  And a job in Psych/Human Services/Social Work is very stressful, underpaid, and often depressing.  And the opportunities are pretty meager without a grad degree.

This is the reason I'm now completing a Master's degree in Professional Communication.  I'd prefer to get out of the field, and my college teaching experience as a grad aide is making me think about doing something in education, college adjunct work, or training instead.

***

In terms of what I think you should do for your major, my main recommendations are:

-I'd say do social work instead of psychology at the undergraduate level.  I say that because social work is less theoretical and more focused on getting a specific job upon graduation.  Psych is primarily about giving you a foundation for graduate school.  I also say it because the Human Resources lady where I work now specifically said they prefer people with Masters degrees in Social Work: she never said anything about a Masters in Psychology.

-I like the idea of a minor in education.  It'll allow you more options, in case you end up getting burnt out on your major field of study.  It'll also make you more marketable.

-And most importantly of all: **do internships**.  It saved my butt from working in retail post-degree, and it could do the same for you, too.

Answer 2

I got my bachlors degree in Psych and my masters in SW.  I switched from psych to SW because you can't get a job in the psych field with just a bachlors or even a masters in psych, you need the ph.d.  If you are interested in doing research and really enjoy school, then perhaps psych is for you.  I have heard from alot of people that getting your Masters in SW is taking the easy way out, because you don't need to get the ph.d, but ask anyone who's just finished 6 yrs of college to get thier MSW if they thought it was easy!  I will give you a hint. Some colleges allow students who've recieved their bachlor's in SW to get their master's in 1 yr instead of 2.  If you have that option, TAKE IT!

I was glad I took psych classes as an undergrad, because it made the master's classes a little easier.  A lot of the material was familiar.  In social work, i took classses in counseling theory, group therapy, family and marriage conseling, research, stats, human development, assessment and diagnosis, history of sw, etc.  I also had 2 internships during my masters and I actually got my current job from the agency I interned at my first year.  The internship is one of the best places to network and get your name out there.  

Having a minor in education would be good if you are interested in working with children or adolesce.  That is a big area right now.  People are always willing to donate money for children.  I develop programs for youth and their families in a non-profit agency and I absolutley love my job.

I also have to tell you that liscening rules for SWers are becoming a lot stricter.  After you get your MSW, you have to get liscenced.  It's just a test, but obviously an important one.  When you have your liscence, you can provide therapy.  

Good Luck!  

Answer 3

I was a social work major in college.

Classes:

The classes that I took that were degree specific included classes such as working with groups, addiction, mental illness, family systems, social welfare and policy, social work and the law, human behavior and the social environment, community organization, into to practice, helping relationship and other various classes. The link below is to a university site that describes the classes needed to graduate with a degree in social work. It is even layed out by semester.

http://www.fhsu.edu/sociology/socialwork...

I really did enjoy my major. But it was alot of hard work. We did many group projects and our assignments (at the time) seemed endless. However, I grew very close to all of my classmates because the class size was so small. The experience was so amazing, I would do it again in a heart beat.

Currently, I am a social worker with juvenile offenders. This was also where I did my social work internship. Internships and volunteering are very important in this field. It helps you get a foot in the door at an agency and also some experience in the field. It also shows how willing you are to help the local community.

Another thing to keep in mind is that there is a great need for social workers. Also, you should know that the pay isn't always the highest and the stress level can be outrageous. If you are looking to be rich or make alot of money quickly, this isn't the field for you.

Social work and psychology are both amazing fields. Either way, you will be making a great decision.

Good Luck!