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Original poster

teaching social work or councilling?

97 replies

Mumoftwox · 12/08/2019 18:52

I'm doing a general degree in integrated health and social care I'm in year 3 so need to make a decsision soon about what I want to choose I could do my 4th year in primary education social work or can change to councilling. I have heard alot of negatives towards teaching and social work does anyone have any advice? thanks

OP posts:
OhDear2200 · 12/08/2019 18:59

Social work is very broad, there is adult services and children services and within these many different teams. It’s bloody hard work and extremely emotionally demanding. But you’ll never get board (well you will with all the paper work but the subject matter is never boring).

If you can get experience within a front line team try to as this will give you an insight into what it is like.

I’ve got to say that when I interview prospective students I’m looking for people who know roughly what the job entails and have some passion about it. So if you’re not sure I would think carefully whether this is the right job for you.

Wolfiefan · 12/08/2019 19:01

Decision
Counselling
A lot
So not teaching!!
I appreciate this is an online forum but they are such glaring errors.

TheFatberg · 12/08/2019 19:02

Yeah you'd need to spell counselling correctly to even be able to search for suitable jobs, so not that.

Original poster
Mumoftwox · 12/08/2019 19:11

dont know what has happened with my spelling my phone keeps changing words to the wrong ones! I asked for advice not the spelling police ever heard of if you dont have anything nice to say dont say anything at all thanks for the nice replies xx

OP posts:
mallikaben · 12/08/2019 19:13

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

NoBaggyPants · 12/08/2019 19:16

I'm with Wolfie on this. It's not just your spelling (that cannot be blamed on predictive text), but the complete absence of punctuation. Teaching would be inappropriate for you, and both counselling and social work require high standards of literacy, so you will struggle with either.

Perhaps take some time to work on these skills before you decide on your next step?

Wolfiefan · 12/08/2019 19:23

That reply makes you seem even less suited to teaching (or social work for that matter.) Teachers are expected to convey themselves using effective punctuation and to have high standards of literacy.
Nobody should be a teacher unless they REALLY want to be. It’s a bloody hard job and unless you are really dedicated then it’s not an appropriate choice.

Dhalandchips · 12/08/2019 19:27

I'm inclined to agree with PPs. Teaching is a vocation, I'm not sure you have what it takes. Good luck.

TheFatberg · 12/08/2019 19:29

I really do wonder if university degrees are practically meaningless these days.

Original poster
Mumoftwox · 12/08/2019 19:30

sorry I never realised I had to use the correct grammar when writing a text. Geeees give me a break, obvcourse I know teaching is hard. I'm simply trying to weigh out my options as I'm stuck on what I would like to do. You seem to enjoy criticising people, wonder what your job is?.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 12/08/2019 19:33

Don’t get a job in tech or communication either. This isn’t a text. Grin

Original poster
Mumoftwox · 12/08/2019 19:34

I really do wonder if criticising people on mums net makes you feel so great about yourself, suppose we have got to get our kicks one way or another..

OP posts:
Lilyofthefields · 12/08/2019 19:39

Hey @Mumoftwox sounds like your degree can open lots of doors.

Counselling has fewer employment opportunities and lower salaries.

Teaching and social work are similar in terms of employment opportunities, pay and conditions (and by that I mean long hours, lack of resources etc).

What are your favourite bits of your degree, the bits you find yourself going above and beyond or in flow with?

What do you see yourself teaching - age or subject?

Lilyofthefields · 12/08/2019 19:42

Also, how does your degree work in terms of professional qualifications? Are you sure you'll get in to social work? Does it lead to the two year Masters? What about the teaching year, does it mean you come out with a PGCE?

Caaarrrl · 12/08/2019 19:44

I am a fully qualified teacher with a first class degree and I occasionally make spellinging and grammar mistakes and fail to punctuate directly on an internet forum. However, I rarely make such mistakes where it matters so this does not preclude the op from teaching.

However, I think that teaching truly is a vocation rather than just a job. If there isn't something inside of you you screaming that you want to teach then it's probably not the right profession for you op.

rainbowheart · 12/08/2019 19:48

Ignore people who just want to nit pick and judge you on one small paragraph!

Teaching and social work are very difficult careers to maintain.. they're becoming increasingly difficult and work loads are often unmanageable. I work in a school as a behaviour specialist. I was also interested in all those 3 career choices but having worked closely with teachers and social workers I was often warned not to follow that path.

I think counselling would be very rewarding, but as others have said job opportunities in that field aren't as easy to come by. There is a reason that social worker and teacher jobs are so easy to get and why training in these areas is given away for free.

If I was you and it's possible, I would try and seek some work experience if possible, in the areas that interest you and see how you feel about it. I left university and done some agency work in teaching, you can try different schools, mainstream, SEN you may find you naturally find your way in to something like I did.

iklboo · 12/08/2019 19:48

YY to what parts of your degree are you enjoying the most or find most rewarding? That can really help with choosing a career you'll get the most out of.

Piggywaspushed · 12/08/2019 19:50

Most primary teachers have a specialism (eg maths, English, art). I can't see how a H&SC degree qualifies someone to teach. Does it convert to a BEd?

Pieceofpurplesky · 12/08/2019 19:50

OP why not try and shadow someone in these fields to get a feel for what you may enjoy? I am a teacher and agree with PPs that you really need to feel it and want it.

Wearenotyourkind · 12/08/2019 20:23

Are you in the UK, OP? If so, you need an Undergraduate or Masters degree in Social Work to become a qualified Social Worker. You will then need to be registered with the HCPC to practice with this title. Not sure how it works in other countries though. As PP's have said, contemporary Social Work is diverse and broad remit and many different opportunities within this. I would start by doing some research into your options and what you think would suit your skills, knowledge and experience best.

Haffdonga · 12/08/2019 20:31

When you are ask which job to do and you clearly demonstrate that you don't have the skills required for one of those jobs, it's quite fair for posters to point out that it wouldn't suit you.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 12/08/2019 20:34

Sadly, I agree with Fatberg.

Original poster
Mumoftwox · 12/08/2019 20:35

thanks everyone! dont understand why some people try and bring others down especially online. I have worked previously in a school for children with sensory and visual impairments. I really enjoyed this but at the time I was a student nurse, so was a different role however I did think the teachers done an amazing job for the children and since then I thought I would really like teaching. My degree after this year enables me to do the PGDE course for one year and qualify as a primary teacher. I do love working with children which is why teaching is an option, but also always been interested in Social work. I'm volunteering in my sons school in the classroom so hopefully this will give me more of a rough idea! thanks everyone

OP posts:
TeenTimesTwo · 12/08/2019 20:37

Would pastoral care in a secondary school be an option?

It has aspects of social work and counselling, and of course is working in a school with young people, similar to teaching.

Craftycorvid · 12/08/2019 20:37

They are all jobs requiring high levels of commitment and dedication. As PP have said, counselling isn’t always that well paid, can take 2-4 years to qualify and is an expensive training. If you are considering counselling, I’d really recommend doing some helping work as a volunteer and/or doing a short introductory course in counselling skills. It’s a wonderful job if you love it but you really need to love it!