Opinions needed =update

alwaysonthego_2

Hi all,

I am in my third year of an educational studies degree and plan to go on to do a MA in Social Work. I have an interview in January and they are really interested in my application.

My tutor cornered me the other day and said that he was interested in my research proposal and suggested that I could get funded to take my research to a MA in ED research or a PHD. This would really interest me as I am really enjoying my research and it is in an area where it is hard to access the participants.

I am not sure which way I could go if I got offered a place on the MASW and also got offered funding to do a MA or PHD. Anyone got any thoughts?

thanks

MrsManda

Did you decide to apply to do an MA in Social Work because you really want to be a Social Worker? Or is it the research side rather than the practical side which interests you the most?
I guess the question you need to ask yourself is why did you not apply for a research MA in the first place?

alwaysonthego_2

MrsManda wrote: »

Did you decide to apply to do an MA in Social Work because you really want to be a Social Worker? Or is it the research side rather than the practical side which interests you the most?
I guess the question you need to ask yourself is why did you not apply for a research MA in the first place?

I have always wanted to work with people and SW seemed an obvious choice for me. I get fully funded for a SW MA.

I have never thought of doing a research MA before my tutor approached me. I am not sure what it leads to and I could never afford to do it if it was not funded. I did not think that I was clever enough to go that far, whereas the MA in SW is more occupational and I should get a job at the end of it. I am really passionate about the research that I am doing and it infringes on social work tyoe of issues.

Devontrish

Hi alwaysonthego (great name!!!!)
I finished my BA Hons in Ed Studies in 2005, and then went on to do the MA in Social work...spooky!!! I will say that you should follow your "gut" feeling, as i felt i picked the MA simply as a way of staying in education because i loved it. I only completed 8 months of the MA as i knew it just wasn't for me...no matter how much they spout empowerment to others i simply couldn't deal with the power i would have had over others. Not finishing meant repaying part of the bursary (still doing that) and really contributed to my financial situation. But that is besides the point. I would maybe suggest you go for both options and then make your mind up when is needed, your circumstances/wants may change in a few short months, and having options open is better than closing a door which you may not be able to open again very easily.
Not finishing my MA didn't really do me that much harm as i am now doing a job i love as a youth worker (actually 2 jobs in youth work now, one of which is a senior post) so no matter what happens in the future, your options are huge whichever direction you go in!!!!
I wish you the best of luck in your choice...but follow your heart/instinct...it's generally right!!!!

Trish

Oldernotwiser

Would there be any possibility of your doing the PhD after the MA SW or is the research MA a prerequisite?

You might find it useful to make an appointment with your University Careers Service (you knew I was going to say that, didn't you?) which should give you the opportunity of investigating your options in an objective setting.

By the way - congratulations!

alwaysonthego_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Would there be any possibility of your doing the PhD after the MA SW or is the research MA a prerequisite?

You might find it useful to make an appointment with your University Careers Service (you knew I was going to say that, didn't you?) which should give you the opportunity of investigating your options in an objective setting.

By the way - congratulations!

Thanks ONW!

I am not really sure, the lecturer is going to look into funding for me but yes I should take a trip to the uni career services

I am just really excited that I could take my research further :j

MrsManda

alwaysonthego wrote: »

I am just really excited that I could take my research further :j

Sounds like a research MA is the way your heart lies

alwaysonthego_2

Got offered a place on the SW MA, they phoned me an hour later to offer me the place, decisions, decisions

flutterbyuk25

Congrats on being offered the place on the SW MA!

I would suggest that you really think about whether you want to work in SW. Do you know any SW's that you could ask for advice? Could you contact your local council and ask to shadow a SW for a day or so?

A lot of people think that a SW MA will open doors for them to a great career however this isn't always the case. There are many similar jobs that do not require the MA, also some council will fund the SW MA if you work in their Social Services dept.

I really wanted to get into the youth work field and seriously considered the SW MA as the way forward, but I was advised by the uni careers adviser, after much discussion, that SW probably wasn't really what I wanted to do so why 'waste' 2 years doing the MA, if you know what I mean. I wanted to only work with young people, whereas on the SW MA you have to do different types of placements with old/disabled/young people etc.

Fast forward 18 months, I am now employed by a leading youth charity doing a fantastic job which I adore. I have been here just under a year, been promoted once already. I am being funded to do a Level 4 NVQ in Youth Work, with potential of the funding for MA in Youth Work if I can prove it's beneficial. I have undertaken many other courses that are transferable in this field too.

If your heart lies in research then do the research MA!! You can always find a way into SW field after it.

Oh and re the uni careers service, they are great. I graduated almost 6 years ago, and have used them a few times since graduation, last time being 18mths ago. They give an objective view of things and think up things you may not have thought of.

Good luck

x

bestpud

I can't help with the decision making but many congratulations on being offered the place! :T :j :beer: :j :T

alwaysonthego_2

Thanks again!

I have decided to do the MEd which is only a year and I will hopefully get my work published. My lecturer [future superviser] is putting some bids in for funding. I was thinking that dd2 starts school and I will have more time to ensure she settles well than I would if I was doing the full on MA SW.

I am going to defer my SW place and see where my future takes me but at least I have options.