Social work career advice?

I got an MSW 5 years ago and I have never worked in the field. The reason why is lack of good job opportunities. I have been working as a special ed teacher and I'm sick of this field. When I try to pursue a job in social work I can't get hired due to not having the experience they are looking for or it is a job that pays so little it is not worth the drive to work. I really want to work as a school social worker and I have interned in that field but it is difficult to get a job in that specific area. My question is should I continue to try and make a career and pursue the social work career field or should I completely change careers? If you say change careers I do not want anything that will require years of additional schooling. I'm looking for serious answers only.

Social work career advice?
I think you need to do a reframe and you might want some coaching on interviewing.





1) If you have an MSW and have been working with children in special education - you have been doing social work. Look at the skills, tasks, and responsibilities. Think back to your schooling and you will see the the social work.





2) School social workers spend a great deal of their time working with special education. USE THIS to get the school social work position. You will better be able to understand and serve these children because of your experience, make your experience an asset not a liability.





3) Since you are already in the school system work the politics of it. Get to know the principles of the schools, the other school social workers, work the inside angle.





Social work is about flexibility and understanding that your degree prepared you for a profession...not a title or a job. I've never held a job with the title of "social worker" but I've been a social worker for 20+ years.





DA
Reply:isn't there like a ladder system at your place of employment? Since you already work as a special ed teacher, doesn't that help you as far as in your time committed with the school? Social work is really low pay...my wife was a social worker for the county about 8 years ago parttime in the mental health and NOW she's department manager, Good luck tho.
Reply:Social workers at social services don't make a lot of money and the stress is very high, as you probably know. I have a graduate degree, and I started out as a volunteer and then worked for a year in various capacities at a social service agency--then the director told me she liked my work ethic and attitude and was willing to give me a chance as a social worker. I decided that I didn't want the job and decided to pursue other interests.





On the other hand, a neighbor has a social work degree and has never used it. She cannot even get an interview at this same agency!





What I would say is never give up on your dream job. Make it happen. Sometimes you have to be creative (like taking a lower paying position just to get into Human Services, and then moving up or on once you have some experience). I have tried for 4 years to get back into the field I am passionate about and no one will hire me because I've been out of the field for so long. I have applied for hundreds of jobs in this field. I know what I need to do, and I'm going to do it (go to school for 1 more year--and take an allied health course). I won't give up. I hope you don't, either.
Reply:I reccommend that you do not do a complete career change, because you have the degree and experience necessary to do the job, but it depends on what kind of social work you want to perform and the population. I would first look for jobs related to working with youth with special needs, at risk, or emotionally disturbed, since, as a special ed teacher, you have this experience. Try targeting social work that works with this specific population and move on from there. To get your foot in the door, you may have to settle for lower pay at first. In my oppinion, the easiest population/area of social work you can probably get your foot in with, is job development/employment placement for youth. Look up titles called "job devlopers" and "Employment Specialists", some are even called "Job training Technicians", then, once you have the experience of case management and social work activities related to employment and specific populations, you can move up the ladder to what it is you want, weather its foster care, working with adults, working with ex offenders, etc.





The highest paying jobs in social work will be city, state, and federally funded programs or institutions. The non profits will not pay so much, because of byudget, unless the non profit is using city, state, or federally funded dollars, which is possible. I may even try starting off at a local community college with the DSP to see if their is any opportuntiies available for maybe a year or so then move on/up from there into a position/population of social work which better suites you.