I'm thinking about a career change in the next few years. I currently work in an unrelated field but I'm becoming more and more interested in social work due to my voluntary work.
I'd like to work with adults, probably in mental health or addiction capacities.
I've volunteered with an organization that works with women involved in street sex work for the past 18 months - would this count as relevant experience towards my masters application? I work on the front line in this capacity, i.e. working with women directly on the streets, helping them to access services and report assaults, etc. Much to my surprise, I love it, I find it fulfilling and inspiring. I love the client group I work with - I find I can empathise without becoming too involved, and I feel truly driven and happy while volunteering. I am hoping to take on some overnight drop-in centre work later in the year, too. My question is, is this the kind of experience that would be valued by an application board? It's not full-time, but it is very hands-on. I've done related training in drug and alcohol intervention, child protection, and listening skills, which I hope would be useful? I had a look on a few masters programme websites but they were a bit vague.
I have a first at undergrad in a humanities subject, and a postgraduate diploma in psychology. Would these be seen as good qualifications for a masters programme?
Finally, I have a history of depression (well-controlled for the most part), which I think helps me to empathize with clients experiencing mental distress - but would this count against me on application/in the role itself?
My depression is generally triggered NOT by difficult or sad circumstances but from a lack of purpose and impact on the world. I've always lacked a bit of confidence in my ability to actually do something like this - but my DH and a close friend who works in the field keep encouraging me to go for it.
What do people currently in this kind of field think?? Is it soul-destroying? Or is it fulfilling?
(goodness that's long! Sorry!)