Dallas Social Worker Says Master's Degree Is A Necessity For Better Jobs
Rachael Ray is a licensed social worker that works for Dallas CASA. She supervises volunteer advocates whose position is to look to the best interest of abused and neglected children in substitute care. She earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from the Texas A&M University at College Station and a master's in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington. She shares her insight on pursing a master's degree.
Why did you pursue a master's degree?
"I realized early in my career that it would be necessary to have a master's degree in order to land better and higher paying jobs in my field. Social workers are taught in college that master's degrees will most likely be necessary to compete for jobs."
What would you tell someone who is considering returning to school to earn a master's degree?
"If someone has hit a wall in his/her career, a master's degree can surely open doors. For me, it was a tough financial decision to take on more debt knowing that I would never have a high salary even with a master's degree, however, the connections I made through internships in graduate school led me to work in amazing organizations that I would not have been introduced to otherwise. It was absolutely worth it."
What was the biggest challenge you faced when pursuing your master's degree?
"In my social work program, there were a lot of research papers assigned. I grew tired of writing so much. It was also difficult financially because I decided to go to school full-time and work only part-time so that I could graduate in two years."
What was the biggest reward for earning the master's degree?
"Having this degree expanded my network and gave me the opportunity to compete for better jobs. I believe most people who enter the social work field want to make a difference in the world and having the education to further that goal is priceless."
Robin D. Everson is a native Chicagoan who resides in Dallas, Texas. Her appreciation for art, food, wine, people and places has helped her become a well-respected journalist. A life-long lover of education, Robin seeks to learn and enlighten others about culture. You can find her work at Examiner.com