Hey everyone, just like title says.. I am currently struggling to find a job in the field. I graduated from university in June and I am a registered social worker since August.. I also have a diploma in SSW. I have applied to various positions, but with no luck.
Is anyone else in the same position? Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thank you.
Posted Dec 21, 2023, 6:51 PM UTC
If you aren’t apposed to the north Gov of NWT base pay for social worker is $46/ hour with fat OT and northern allowances. Many communities are hiring right now. (I made 160k this year because of OT and travel)
Gov of Alberta is also hiring starting at $67k/year and being bumped up to $75k/year after a year of training. Less OT in Alberta tho. (Financially not looking forward to moving to Alberta but amenities are higher, though Yellowknife has a lot of amenities as well and they are always looking for social workers as well.)
As someone heavily contemplating whether it was worth finishing my BSW, I find this highly upsetting lol
I’m sorry you’re experiencing this. Where in Ontario are you located and what kind of jobs are you applying to?
Aw, haha, thank you. I’m in the middle of nowhere, lol.. near Orangeville. I’ve applied to many places- CMHA, long term care facilities, school boards, intake worker positions. I’ve been doing this since August 😭 but when I apply for SSW positions, I get call backs from agencies- this has happened twice now. Are you currently in a BSW program now?
I’m a 4th year BSW student at McMaster University. I’ve had a lot of second thoughts, and think I’m planning to change career paths at this point. Don’t think the social work life is for me, unfortunately.
I think it’s odd that you’re not getting call back. Especially when you’re consistently told how “in demand” social workers are. Maybe they’re not as needed in your geographical area? Hopefully someone else here can offer some better insight than I can. Sorry lol
Why don’t you think it’s for you? Because of stress/burnout!? If you don’t mind me asking.
Yes.. were told that. But a lot of positions I found will ask for people with a BSW or MSW- which they say is preferred. Sure, there may be a lot of opportunities, but the competition is high. The requirements for a job is a lot, that’s what I’ve noticed as well. It’s hard 😭
Low pay, high stress/burnout, and I haven’t met some any genuinely happy social workers during my time in placements/volunteer work. Obviously, happy social workers do exist but I haven’t come across any yet.
In my 4th year class, the vast majority of students are applying for their MSW right out of their BSW. The field is getting more and more competitive.
I’m a 4th year BSW student at McMaster University. I’ve had a lot of second thoughts, and think I’m planning to change career paths at this point though. Don’t think the social work life is for me, unfortunately.
I think it’s odd that you’re not getting call back. Especially when you’re consistently told how “in demand” social workers are. Maybe they’re not as needed in your geographical area? Hopefully someone else here can offer some better insight than I can. Sorry lol
Try Peel Region CMHA - they're always hiring crisis workers and they want a BSW for those positions.
Also you can check out SHIP as they're always hiring for social work/mental health type positions.
I have my SSW and a Psyc Degree and unfortunately I've been in the field for over 10 years and find the lack of opportunity and the low pay to be insulting and unfair.
I will look into SHIP.. thanks so much!
Unfortunately a lot of places seem to need staff (I usually look in Peel and Halton regions) and post a lot of jobs, but they don't pay nearly enough to survive on. Especially with 2 kids to feed.
Good luck to you!
i live in the same area as you. in alliston, there’s a shelter called SHIFT that is regularly hiring. also, school boards are in desperate need of educational assistants right now & a BSW will qualify you for the job. both jobs are pretty low pay, but they’ll help you get your foot in the door. good luck!
BSW can reliably get children's aid, shelters etc.
Every other "good" social work job needs msw.
For sure, I agree. I’ve only been applying to jobs that require a bsw. Maybe one day I’ll get an msw haha 🥲
Lol yeah child welfare for life over here because I don't want to do more school 🫠
Oh.. I totally relate. I CANNOT do any more school. How’s it working in child welfare?
I've been in since 2004. I can manage it fine because I'm a kinship worker not family services. I've created good boundaries and it provides a decent life. Example I'm currently typing this pool side in the Dominican....
I’ve commonly heard that many MSWs in Ontario are only worth it for the slight pay increase. Otherwise, they’re its basically a glorified BSW (focusing a theory) with some specialization options.
That's what I've heard from my co-workers. You don't learn a ton more. You are basically paying for the opportunity to have better job prospects
Have you seen a career counsellor for help with your resume and cover letter writing? In both urban and rural places that I have lived there is always a huge demand for SWs especially in child protection and in shelters/homelessness. But if you live in a small community or rural area perhaps there are just less options. I live in a small community and their are limited employers that hire BSW social workers, the hospital has one, school district has three, the municipality has two, and for anything else you'd have to commute. Maybe that's the case for you too?
Yes, I was thinking about going to a career counsellor to review my resume/cover letter. I was also suggested to find someone on .. I think it’s called ‘fiver’ to review my writing skills.. that could for sure also be an issue. I’m definitely willing to commute at this point and I have applied to child welfare positions but I’ll take a look at shelter positions as well. Thanks so much. The jobs in my area usually require an MSW so I don’t bother to apply so I’m always applying to bigger cities.
Some provinces have free employment services that can help with your resume for free. Google for your area.
Ontario is pretty competitive because of all the MSWs there. When I was at CAS, even though positions only required a BSW, almost all of us had MSWs.
Alberta isn’t bad for BSW level positions. Our hospital’s/health care system can be hard to get into based on the benefits and pay $38-50/hr, we also have our school divisions that typically want BSW and our government will take pretty much anyone, even a diploma. You would definitely get a non for profit gig in places like Calgary or Edmonton, but they aren’t worth the pay for the stress you endure.
I work for a school board and make decent money as this is my first year with a BSW (graduated in May), but I’m applying for my MSW to max out my opportunities and pay.
Good luck!
Alberta government is hiring for several different positions; financial benefits, disability services and child protection.
When I first started, I found shelter jobs were the easiest to secure due to such a high need/turnover. I have a much better job now with my BSW/RSW (not that there’s anything wrong with shelter work if you enjoy it!) and six years in.
I am doing my MSW currently but gotten my current position before I was doing my MSW.
Are you Specialized and do you have Certifications and Certificates behind you?
Specialized, no. But I was looking for certifications I could do.. do you have any suggestions? I would appreciate it a lot.
You need to do your Masters
The job market is very different out West. BC is paying BSWs 40-50 an hour and there are so many openings. With the affordability crisis hitting Ontario too I would consider leaving if it’s possible for you.
BRUH. I’m packing my shit now.
If I were coming from Ontario I’d look to move to the Sunshine Coast (which is part of Vancouver Coastal Health) or maybe Fraser health region which is a bit cheaper in terms of cost of living. They had BSW shortages so they upped the pay to the MSW rate basically. I don’t have my degree yet but have been working in social services here for five years and I love it. A lot of really innovative work is happening here in substance use programming.
Hi, Just wonder if someone does not have social work practicum experience in healthcare setting, will that person be considered for job application in VCH or Fraser Health?
I couldn’t really say, I don’t work for them. I think they do have opportunities for new grads. The best way to find out is to apply.
I’m in BC. How much do they make in Ontario?
Couldn’t tell you. I know that I make 32/hr with no BSW/SSW and equivalent jobs in Ontario even with the SSW that I don’t have are like 17/hr. It also seems to be harder to get hired out there.
I started my career as a Recreation Therapist in BC and my pay scale was $38-48/hr. I’m Ontario the pay scale for the same job was $20/hr. I didn’t realize it was the same with SW
Yep. That sounds about right. Even nursing salaries are lower. Healthcare or social services don’t seem to make sense as a career in Ontario.
same in AB in healthcare and govt