<p>I’ve been out of college since August 2008. I graduated from Case Western with a degree in Religious Studies. My GPA was a 3.77 and my major GPA was a 3.87. My husband moved to Toledo right after I received my degree and I had a hard time finding a job. I didn’t want to do grad school in Toledo plus I just felt that I needed a break from school. I finally did manage to find a job as a secretary at an Islamic School. I do like my job for the most part. I love the children and the staff that I encounter but honestly, I am ready to finally move on grad school. However, I am afraid that I will be seen as a horrible underachiever for only working as a secretary. </p>
<p>I was thinking that perhaps getting an MSW would be good for me since I did take a lot of sociology courses in college (I was one class short of having a sociology minor) and since I do blog frequently about social issues, especially among Muslims. I guess the main issue I am worried about is 1) perhaps I am not really meant to be a social worker 2) graduate social work programs might perceive this in my application and wonder if I am simply applying so that I can go back to grad school.</p>
<p>I have a lot of interests but I just don’t think that most of them will allow me take care of myself. With an MSW, I will probably always have a job. Yes, I know that I won’t make huge amounts of money but I’m sure it will be much more than what I currently make. Plus, it’s not as if I don’t care about making the world a better place.</p>
<p>I would love to get a graduate degree in religion but honestly, I don’t know if I will be able to get a job after I graduate and additionally, I will have to take the GRE probably and frankly, at this point, I don’t have time to take them.</p>
<p>I’ve talked to my mother and my husband and I still feel confused. I figured getting honest, unbiased feedback from strangers might be more helpful. All I know for certain is 1) I do not want to be at my current job come August and 2) I want to be back in school by that time.</p>
<p>ETA: I know some of you might suggest teaching. Please don’t. I have substituted as a teacher and I do not like it.</p>
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I don’t think this would be a problem at all. So many people are out of work right now, if anything you would be seen as someone who rolls up her sleeves and does what needs to be done.
The GRE only takes about 3 hours. At the electronic testing centers you can sign up for an appointment that suits you. Even the busiest person can find three hours. Pehaps your mother can help by covering your responsibilities for those three hours. I recently took the GRE after 20 years out of school - and I am certain it would have been MUCH easier after only a one-year absence! If (and this is unlikely) you do not score well enough for the programs you are thinking about you would be no worse off than if you hadn’t taken the GRE. And you likely will do fine! That would open up options that might make you feel less trapped in your current job.</p>
<p>I won’t suggest teaching, but I do want to mention that I have worked both as a substitute and as a regular teacher. They really are very different. I did NOT like substituting! You have to mean or they walk all over you! Regular teaching is not at all like that and is much more rewarding.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>But you do have to study for it anyway… that takes time. Even if just to get familiar with the format of it. I don’t have feedback but I agree with alamemom that substitute teaching =/ regular teaching. I’ve never done either, but it wasn’t too long ago that I was in high-school and remember how they were treated. I think being a guidance counselor in a school can also be rewarding (well, personally, they were very very beneficial for me in high-school).</p>
<p>I direct a grad program in religion, and frankly, the study of Islam is one of the few subfields in which the employment picture looks good.</p>
<p>However, you may have to wait another year to apply for many programs, since there are no respectable religion programs that do not require the GREs, and many application deadlines are in December. There are some deadlines in January and February, though, which might allow you to take the GRE in time to apply for fall 2010.</p>
<p>An MSW is a very viable option as well. Before deciding, though, make an appointment for an informational interview with someone who currently works in the field, and someone who is affiliated with an MSW program (a director of grad studies would be ideal). The MSW would guarantee employability in a much shorter time than the PhD, but you need to know more, I think, about the many paths to which an MSW could lead. (Look up LCSW in Ohio, for instance.)</p>
<p>Two more things:</p>
<p>Your secretarial work will by no means reflect badly upon you. Experience in the working world is good.</p>
<p>Your disinclination to teach might guide you away from the PhD. An MA in religion might still be an option, though, particularly if you’d like to work in a religious nonprofit or other similar arena after earning the degree.</p>
<p>I’d like to add that teaching at the college level is completely different than teaching at the secondary school level and below.</p>
<p>If you really want to pursue a MSW (I’m a current student), seek informational interviews with current social workers and local social work schools. Attend the prospective student sessions. Do you want to go into direct practice or macro/community practice? MSW programs generally do not ask for GRE scores, and they like applicants with a variety of experiences (you do not need a BSW to apply!). You may want to look at states or regions that have large Arab/Muslim populations. I know SE Michigan has a large Arab population whom you could receive a good field placement experience related to your interests. You can use this same advice for the MA in Religious Studies if you want to go that route. IMO, the MSW has better professional opportunities.</p>