I've got the social work salary blues.

[judecorp]

I went to my interview this morning with The Home For Little Wanderers. The woman who interviewed me was a very hard read; she was quiet and somewhat passive, and displayed little emotion. She asked me questions that I flubbed answers to, questions about what sort of philosophical background controlled the OSU School of Social Work. I didn't really know how to explain to her that there was no one underlying theoretical method at OSU, but that there were some faculty members who were into existential therapy and others that were into solution-focused brief therapy, and the school itself tended toward a generalist practice. She wanted authors: what authors we'd read, whose work we mimicked. Once again I flubbed that our program wasn't geared that way. She did not seem impressed.

I gave her some of my experiences working with preschool children at the behavior clinic I interned at in 2001-2002. She seemed receptive to these experiences but I didn't feel like I was convincing her that I was qualified. After all, that internship was the most clinical position I've ever had, and that was 2 years ago and unpaid. All of my professional work has been significantly less clinical. I think I may even be less qualified that some new graduates, especially from around here since apparently the schools have strong theoretical backgrounds, mostly psychodynamic. How can I explain the beauty that was Jim Lantz, preacher of existential methods and one of the greatest men I've ever met? How can I compare Victor Frankl to what this woman had in mind? So frustrating.

At the end of the interview, she let me know that the starting salary for this position is $30,888/year. I almost threw up in my chair. Back in the car after a firm (but noncommittal) handshake, I had a veritable anxiety attack at the prospect of never being able to pay my bills and a lifetime of eating store-brand box macaroni and cheese. And never doing anything fun that costs money again.

Of course, all clouds have silver linings, and this cloud's came in the form of two recent emails for phone interviews - one on Friday and one early next week. The phone interview on Friday is for a position in a school here in Dot that pays significantly more and has four weeks paid vacation (it's part of a program run by Harvard). The phone interview on Tuesday is for an outreach position with homeless women that sounds dirty and exciting. Here's hoping!

Comments

[wendywoowho.livejournal.com]

*HUGS* *HUGS* *HUGS*

And, who is the beautiful skeptical wee one in your icon?

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

That's Fisher, son of pattisimmons! He's just the cutest little thing.

[luloubelle.livejournal.com]

lots of luck!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Fanks!

[biophile6.livejournal.com]

Was Victor Frankl at OSU?

He wrote some amazing essays about hope, if I recall. I barely remember reading it, but that I was impressed.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

No, he wasn't at OSU, but my favorite professor (Jim Lantz at OSU) did a lot of work with him and interpreted a lot of his existenz work for clinical social workers.

[folkyboy.livejournal.com]

believe me, if anyone knows, i know about the frustrations of having to look for a job in this city. you're very lucky you're getting all these interviews right off the bat. and if this lady didn't bite at the bait then there's always the prospect of something else coming along. it's friggin' SUMMER time. someone is bound to need you. don't worry :)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I know I'm lucky to have had such good responses, but keep in mind that I've probably sent out 80+ resumes in the past two months in preparation for moving to Boston. So the fact that I've had four interviews and a handful of calls isn't /terribly/ shocking, especially considering that none of the interviews (so far) have amounted to diddly squat.

Sounds like you've got some good job prospects lined up. GO YOU! I'll be hitting the temp agencies soon if I don't hear anything.

[folkyboy.livejournal.com]

yeah well i couldn't have done anything without my friend Brian helping me out. and i completely know all too well how you feel in regards to those resumes. i was chucking them out left & right

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I'll keep crossing our fingers for us!

[indigodove.livejournal.com]

While I hope you get a job very soon, try to keep things in perspective. This could be a place you'd be unhappy at -- think about what you want in a job, in addition to the salary you need. I've survived several bad places and while it's sometimes necessary (that whole needing to eat and pay bills thing), I'm really hoping you get something that's good for you as well as something that pays the bills. *hug*

Sending both you and Jen my best "get a job" vibes.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I agree that I need a job that I will be happy in, especially since I was so frustrated and miserable with my last job, but at this point, I just need /something/. I'm about ready to go to temp agencies if I don't hear about anything soon. Heck, I can probably make more money as a secretary anyway. :)

Thanks for all of your good wishes!

[vorpalbla.livejournal.com]

Be glad the salary is so low. If you know you can hardly live on the job, you can be OK with not getting it.

"She asked me questions that I flubbed answers to, questions about what sort of philosophical background controlled the OSU School of Social Work. I didn't really know how to explain to her that there was no one underlying theoretical method at OSU, but that there were some faculty members who were into existential therapy and others that were into solution-focused brief therapy, and the school itself tended toward a generalist practice."

That's ridiculous. Even if it had a particular "philosophical background" that doesn't mean it is your OWN preference. In all of my interviews I have been asked practical, nuts and bolts questions, along with old standbys like "what are your strenghts and weaknesses".

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yeah, she didn't ask me a single strengths/weaknesses question. She /did/ ask me about previous clients, which is pretty standard, but since this was a preschool thing, she wanted clients from my MSWII internship which feels like a million years ago.

Aah well, I'm better off, I think, having a funky weird interview. Because I don't think this job would be a good match for me at all.

[hope-persists.livejournal.com]

<3 viktor frankl

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yes! Definitely!

[rebasayre.livejournal.com]

i'm hoping for you too! i talked to my friend eric dawson at peacegames. he seemed interested in your qualifications. won't be hiring until july, but may be worth it to at least give him a call to help with the boredom! his number is 617-308-7826. tell him you are my friend that i told him about, blah, blah, blah. his email is eric@peacegames.org. love you and miss you much!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Rebecca! I emailed him this morning, and he had his Executive Assistant schedule a phone call with me in July. (It was funny "scheduling" anything that far in advance. I was like, "Tell me when and I'll answer the phone!") Thanks for all of your help. Who knows? Maybe something totally cool will come out of all of this.

Love you love you love you!

[rebasayre.livejournal.com]

too funny! i'm sorry it is so far from now, but his life is an unreal pace! he's gotten good at planning so that he has a moment to breathe, but we have to schedule times to talk too! :) i hope something works out for you as well! that would be so wicked awesome! ;)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I will keep my fingers crossed! If you love him, he must be GREAT!