Advice please? Warning, a bit long.

[Guest]

I need objective advice concerning a personal dilemma.

I am unemployed, technically. I do some free-lance photography, but it's far from full-time work.
I want to buy a house and there is no way in hell we can afford to do so with my part-time work.
So, the hiatus must end. I am a social worker with concentrations in family and children services and crisis counseling. I LOVE non-profit agencies. I worked at a crisis center prior to the hiatus where I did counseling, worked as a rape companion in conjunction with the hospitals, and co-facilitated support groups. I loved my work, though it proved challenging. Ok, my point: I could easily land a Socialworker III position at the local D.S.S and work long hours with sucky pay. Or, I could hold out and beg more non-profit agencies to hire me. If I do hold out, the dream house will be on hold as well. Is it worth it? To work a bad job to come home to a house? My husband supports whatever decision I make. I know he wants me happy. I know he wants a house. Argh. Help?

 

[april-wine]

Couldn't you take the sucky job until you could get a better one???

Just a thought, good luck in your decision.......april

 

[Guest]

Couldn't you take the sucky job until you could get a better one???

Just a thought, good luck in your decision.......april

I've thought of that and my family and friends, unfortunately, think that since I'm loyal and quite masochistic (heh), that I would stick with the job, even though I hated it. I'm not sure if I would. If my caseload consisted of families that had abandonment issues, it would be extremely difficult to leave. It's tough because clients begin to trust you and depend of you. Leaving before hurt my clients and hurt me in return.

I just need to win the friggin lottery.

Thanks for taking the time to advise me, april-wine.

 

[april-wine]

winning lottery numbers...........

6,23,32,41,53,69.............

Hmmmmmmm would be a tough decision, hope the numbers work for ya lol...........

 

[Guest]

winning lottery numbers...........

6,23,32,41,53,69.............

Hmmmmmmm would be a tough decision, hope the numbers work for ya lol...........

Damn, I never win anything, though. Well, working the corner could be an option. Nah. I hate heels.

*sighs* I wanna be 5 years old and trick-or-treat.

 

[Guest]

Raindancer,

Life isn't always easy, is it? There is always something put in your way to make it a struggle, but only if you let it. Sometimes we have to do things that we don't always want to do just so that later on we can be happy. I know that doesn't sound like the perfect advice, but if you think about what's important, your heart will find the way.

Would it be worth it to you to work a job you wouldn't enjoy and have to work long, tiring hours, then go home to be in the house of your dreams? How would you feel when you arrived home each night? Would you be excited enough to enjoy it? Would you be too tired to make your new house a warm, loving home? These are all of the questions you must ask yourself in order to let the answers flow from your heart.

Would it be better for you to look a bit more for the job that will make you the happiest you can be, very fulfilled and very much satisfied so that you can then enjoy your dream home much better? Would you be able to go out and search harder for that perfect job so that you can enjoy your dream?

In the end, you must do what makes you happiest - what best suits your needs and those of your husband.

Good luck to you, Raindancer. I hope all works out wonderfully for you.

 

[Guest]

Enchanted,
Thank you. Had you been saying this to me, in person, I would have cried in your bosom.
I'm bad at making decisions because of my over-analysis. I worry constantly about screwing up. Yea, I know it happens. But, when other are involved, I don't want to screw up. My hubby, though loving, is not the type to put his foot down. I think I must torture him tonight. He must be part of this decision.

Thanks!

 

[SexyChele]

I work for Children's Protective Services and I see first hand how hard the social workers do their job - and what they have to go through to get it done. You are right, Raindancer. A social worker who starts a job working with clients, building trust, having them depend on him/her, only to have that person leave within a few months is crushing to the family. Especially if there has been a certain bonding between family and social worker.

I would opt for holding out until you find a job you really like. If your husband supports your decision, that should be all you need. A house is nice - very nice. But your sanity is even nicer. Plus, if you are at all like me, if I'm doing a job I hate, everyone around me is miserable because I'm miserable.

Anyway, my .02 worth....

 

[Guest]

Anyway, my .02 worth....

Yes! You get it! If I could only deal with this guilt...I won't even get started on that..lol
Thanks!

 

[Gus]

Decisions

Since you work in the 'pscho' area you will know that you can do whatever you want to do simply by making the decision. To do nothing also implies making a decision ie the decision not to make one.

Time to be bold. Take the hard road - work for the money. Get the house. Have a happy family then bother about others first.

Gus

 

[Guest]

Re: Decisions

Since you work in the 'pscho' area you will know that you can do whatever you want to do simply by making the decision. To do nothing also implies making a decision ie the decision not to make one.

Time to be bold. Take the hard road - work for the money. Get the house. Have a happy family then bother about others first.

Gus

Wow Gus, you cut to the core, eh?
Yes, I work in the "psycho" area, but, we are the worst clients! Ha!

Thanks for your input!

 

[YogiBare]

Hi Raindancer from another social worker

Basically, I agree with all those who are urging you to find the right job for you before buying the house. The work that we do is very intense both emotionally and spiritually. When I am doing work that I love it enhances and energizes me. But when I'm doing work that I don't love, it can be extremely draining. Please find something that enhances you rather than drains you. Best wishes.

 

[Guest]

Re: Hi Raindancer from another social worker

Basically, I agree with all those who are urging you to find the right job for you before buying the house. The work that we do is very intense both emotionally and spiritually. When I am doing work that I love it enhances and energizes me. But when I'm doing work that I don't love, it can be extremely draining. Please find something that enhances you rather than drains you. Best wishes.

Thank you!!
I know it's true. I know myself.
Damn these adult decisions.

blessings!

 

[Guest]

I just wanted to say thanks to you all that took the time to give me advice. I'm off to find a newspaper.
Have a good one!

 

[Guest]

Raindancer,

It's always a pleasure. Good luck to you and much happiness with your future work and dreams.

 

[SexyChele]

No problem. Just take care, good luck, and may all that you dream and wish for come true.

 

[sch00lteacher]

Have you considered working for you local school system? Same job, better hours, possibly better pay. Our social worker keeps busy, but she goes home at 3:15 every afternoon.

She checks to see why kids are absent. Makes sure they get help if needed. She talks to the kids one on one. Etc. so forth and so on.

 

[Guest]

Have you considered working for you local school system? Same job, better hours, possibly better pay. Our social worker keeps busy, but she goes home at 3:15 every afternoon.

She checks to see why kids are absent. Makes sure they get help if needed. She talks to the kids one on one. Etc. so forth and so on.

Wow. I thought this thread had died days, ago!

To answer you, when you receive a degree (BSW or MSW), at an accredited school, you work on a concentration: geriatrics, medical social worker, school social work, family/children's services, etc. The track includes various classes and certification that may not be included in another concentration. I didn't concentrate in school social work, so I'm not qualified.
Either I've been over-qualified or under-qualified, thus far.
Not that you need or wanted to know all that! *lol*
Thanks for your input, teach.

~the ever confused one

 

[ExLimey]

Just a thought, but, if you take the job that sucks to get the house you may end up hating the house because it reminds you that you had to do something that sucks to get.

Just a thought.

I've worked a job before solely for the money. Still have nightmares six+ years later. Scarred for life.

 

[christophe]

you can always take the sucky job for now but i would definitley check for othe jobs as well. someone with a LSW should be able to find the right job! have you ever tried monster.com or other job related sites for your area? just a thought!

 

[CeceliaSkye]

My advice would be to go with your heart... I suspect your answer lies there...

 

[*bratcat*]

 

[Bob Peale]

Raindancer,

I wanted to offer a little food for thought, for what it's worth.

I understand the house thing - I really never wanted one until we found out that we were pregnant with Thing 1 and Thing 2 (OK, "we" may be a little assuming). We were fortunate because we were in a position to buy the house we needed immediately.

However, I will also tell you that there are times where I hate my job, my clients suck, and I'm on the verge of telling the world to pound sand. The main thing that prevents me is my financial responsibilities (including said house).

Now luckily, those days are few and far between. I generally like what I do and where I do it.

I don't know how much I'd grow to resent the house, and everything that goes along with it, if I felt I had to stay in a job just to meet those responsibilities. I can tell you that, like my father in law said, owning a house is a TREMENDOUS financial obligation. There is a significant cash outlay that transcends the downpayment and closing costs - I think when all was said and done, excluding movers, we ended up spending an additional $5,000 - $7,000 for all the "incidentals" (utility deposits, trash cans, shower curtains, up front fees, etc.), so factor that in to your planning.