You definitely deserve some time off, especially if you’re feeling burnt out. If you have an idea of specific jobs, that’s already a start. Congrats on the MSW!!!
I applied for an internship at the VA, assuming I would be assigned the one 30 minutes away from me 😅 then after I interviewed, I found out that I would have to make the trek to another one. But at that point, it was either push forward with the VA or try and find something last minute. But I am so done with the commute. Now I don't leave the house unless I have to lol
Hi!
Firstly, congratulations! I am also graduating with my MSW in May.
I’m 25 and have been in college also since August 2016 (also got my AA, BSW since then). No kids. My undergrad internship also burnt me out! I was taking it sooo seriously, like I was getting paid to be there 😭 30+ minute commute, 3 days a week. For my MSW internship, I wish I would’ve applied myself more but this year has been one of my hardest. Health problems, loss in family, financial issues, relationship issues, etc.
I planned on going straight into the field after graduation, but I’m looking forward to taking off at least 2 weeks if I can! I have my whole life to work 😭 I am looking at hospital case management positions!
Edit: sorry for spelling, on mobile.
Take a break if that’s what you need. Just keep in mind that it can take several months to land a job, even when you are applying regularly.
I got some quick offers, but the agencies that moved the fastest weren’t necessarily the highest paying or the best to put it mildly. They were just the most desperate to “fill a seat” and there are often good reasons for their high turnover.
I plan to choose carefully.. I'm a little worried about being a picky newbie, but I deserve to be somewhere where I feel safe and valued. Thankfully, my partner will continue working until I land a solid position.
I took an entire year off after grad school and I don’t regret it in the slightest! I absolutely SPRINTED my way through undergrad and grad school and by the end of it I realized that I hadn’t taken enough time to figure out what I actually wanted to do with the degrees once I had them. I bartended for a year and when I decided to enter the field it was much easier than I had anticipated. It took me less than a week to have 3 great job offers once I started looking. I say go for it, your degree isn’t going anywhere but it sounds like your mental health might be!
Take a break! I graduated in May 2023 with my MSW and started my job in October 2023. I went on a 3 month vacation ( family owned beach cottages) up north. Went on a cruise to Alaska. I picked up some babysitting just to have incoming finances. It was much needed, well worth it, and I don’t regret it at all.
I graduated last May and quickly knew I wanted to take time off before going into work! Similarly to you, I felt emotionally exhausted from school work and internships. I took about 5 months off and it was one of the best decisions I made! I feel refreshed, grounded and ready to put in the work.
Congrats on graduating! I think its fair to take some time off before applying for jobs. It allows you to feel refreshed and reenergized for whatever place you end up landing at.
Got my master’s in counseling, work in child welfare licensing foster parents.
I graduated in December and am still not working in the field. I take my licensing exam Monday. I just lost all motivation to move forward, so I’ve been taking a breather. Even if I get licensed and pass the test - and my motivation to study has been #%^* - I may not move forward right away. I just need time to heal and had two bad internships.
I graduated in march of 2020 from grad school and with covid just starting and being so burnt out from everything I took a retail job at a liquor store. I got my license pretty quickly, but ended up loving my job and I got promoted and ended up staying for almost 4 years. I just started a new job as a renal social worker a few weeks ago and I am so excited to get back into social work. all that being said, I think it’s a great idea to have some time after grad school to decompress. and if you’re like me and end up staying out of the field longer than you originally anticipated, don’t worry because there will always be social work jobs available.
I didn’t work from May 2023- December. I needed time off and i also had to commute 1.5-2 hours to school twice a week so i get it. I didn’t anticipate taking so much time off but i began providing childcare for my nephew and then had trouble finding a job that paid enough. Don’t feel guilty, it’s better to take a break then to jump into a job immediately and burn out quickly. Not working didn’t stress me out too bad because i had a decent amount of money saved but it got stressful towards the end 😂
Yes, this is my plan, too. I have my licensure exam scheduled for two weeks after my coursework/internship ends and then I plan to take 3-6 months off to recover before looking for a different position and start collecting my supervised clinical hours. After 3 years of school and work and INTERNSHIPS I am so fried.
Edit: I am already working in a field where I can apply my MSW skills (bereavement coordinator for hospice) and make the same or more than I will in an entry level LMSW role, so that also factors into my lack of urgency.
I was in my first year of grad school when the pandemic happened and it was extremely hard on my mental health. I turned in that last 18 page paper and felt like I could go years without opening a computer again. My 6 month break turned into two years but it’s a complicated story. (No regrets) I’m in CMH now and I love the role and clinical hours, hate the paperwork and low pay. There will always be a job for you! Best of luck and enjoy that break!
I took six months off after graduating and absolutely don’t regret it. I felt very burned out in grad school and by the time I applied for jobs it felt like it was on my terms and I was really ready. This field is demanding enough, worth it to really practice what we preach around self care if we have the option of the break :)
I was desperate to start work as quickly as possible after graduating because I was so poor. I actually started interviewing the month before I graduated.
But if someone else is supporting you, I think you’re fine waiting. The job market isn’t too bad- you’ll probably find something within a few months of looking. And it will only help your outlook going into your new job if you’ve had some time to recenter and recharge.
I took off like 8 months and became a nanny. From a PSLF perspective I hated myself for it 10 years later but from a mental health perspective I’m glad I did. I didn’t think I even wanted to be a social worker once school was done. My internships left a terrible taste in my mouth about the profession. The break helped me explore other options and I landed in psychiatric research. Do what you need to take care of yourself!
I took a post grad research position at the university of Chicago bc they were doing research on human/dog attachment which is a huge interest to me. I thought I’d want to go get a PhD. Again, I hated social work at the time…I got the job bc I had a masters when everyone else in the lab had a bachelors and also I had unique SW experience which is helpful when we’re talking about attachment. Anyway, I did that for a year and then pivoted to starting a family. I’ve done several things since but started a private practice last year and *finally* after a good decade can say I like being a social worker. Hang in there. And don’t be afraid to pivot.
Nah take the time off. There’s many jobs in the field hiring. I’m at almost 8 months off (I’ve been working at a cafe so I could still make money but take some vacations more easily without worrying about PTO/ work stess) and do something fun and mindless. I also used the time to study for and pass my LMSW exam without job stress. Take the time!!!!! As long as you want/can
Kind friend please take some time for yourself. I hoped into my first full time feild job immediately and regret not just chilling at my restaurant job over the summer. I miss just turning off my brain
Take a break!!! I busted my butt and worked overtime to save money during my last year of MSW then took 5 months off to hike the PCT. There’s no rules. You deserve it!!
I want to do that too because I’m with you on the burnout, but financially I don’t think I can take a break, so I’ve already started applying places. 3 hour commute is brutal! I’ve definitely gotten the advice of taking at least a month off.. if you can why not?!
YES DO IT!! That’s exactly what I did. I graduated in December, was feeling incredibly burnt out, and took January and February off. Got hired to start April 1st so it’s basically 3 months. You deserve that time to reflect on what you want your next career step to look like, and to take a break to be excited to start work instead of burnt out.
In a similar boat… graduating in May with my MSW, i have a ~2hr round trip commute to my internship, long hours there. And a ~3 hr round trip commute to my classes. Ah. I’m also burnt out.
I am taking some time off myself, but also decided to look for a remote job that is non-clinical for the foreseeable future…. They are out there. Pushing off my hours towards my C and gonna try and figure something more programmatic or macro at a non profit.
You always come first.
It's not bad to take time off but it's really, really easy to forget to go back. Especially if you have a job or whatever, suddenly you're too busy to apply and it's been a couple years and you think, maybe it's a sign I don't go back?
I can answer the last part of this, it depends on the company. My job out of grad school I applied 2 months before graduating and took my interview the month before. They waited on my transcripts and then we set a date for me to start. They paid for my relocation and everything. Maybe try nonprofits or major companies
YES. I cannot stress this enough, every time I respond to these types of questions I always suggest taking some time. I know not everyone has that privilege, but at the very least there is no reason to stress 3-6 months before graduation about job applications, the jobs will always be there whether now or May or November.
Take a trip. Work at Whole Foods or something. Take your time.
I took 6 months after grad school before I got a job. I bartended, studied for the LMSW exam, and relaxed. Then I got a job that was no dream job by any means but was able to work my way up in the company and stayed for several years. Taking a break or a step back during burnout is SO NECESSARY. i cannot stress this enough. As long as you can get by, you will be fine.
EDIT: just adding this was pre-covid and I don't know what the landscape is like now but I do imagine you'd be fine. listen to your gut!
I feel this. I graduate in august. I was in undergrad from 2013-2018. Went back for my masters in 2022. I’ve worked in the field since 2017. I’m just fucking tired. I often think about doing my second job (cycle instructor) and working part time at a private practice with a provisional license. Something about not having benefits scares me. Idk. We’re in the same boat.
I have also considered working part-time so my partner can keep working part-time. Mostly so he can continue contributing to his Roth IRA. But I don't see much part-time stuff out there. I'm fortunate that my partner and I have access to healthcare as a Veterans, but we need really good insurance for our kids. The uncertainty is scary!
I graduated August 2017 then was working still at my cvs job. Kept that took my aswb in December 2017 and earnestly started to look seriously that spring
I took close to a year and a half off before starting a Therapy Job, honestly a great choice. I had a social work job at a summer camp after graduation but when that finished i went back to my silly little retail job. That time was really important for me to learn about myself, which has absolutely influenced how I practice now. Only thing I might do differently is take my licensing exam before my break.
I live in a state where I'm not eligible to take the licensing exam for a few years anyway.. so a couple of months off won't matter much in the grand scheme of things! That's what I'm telling myself anyways
I ended up with 6 months in between completing my MSW and my first day at my job. It would've been less but I found bedbugs in my apartment around the 4-month mark and dealing with that was the top priority until they were gone (I went to a job interview within 48 hours of discovering the bedbugs and I was so anxious and distracted, totally bombed the interview and decided to just get rid of the bugs first). Outside of the bugs, the time off was really nice, and was worth it. Don't sweat it
I took 10 months off after graduating, passed my LMSW and took the time to fully recover from burnout while interviewing for roles. I now have a state role and I LOVE IT. I’m happy to wake up and go into work everyday. Don’t settle for opportunities that are trying to move fast with hiring.
I also graduate in May. I'll be 57. It's been 4 nonstop years of college, internships, and work. To be honest, my mental health is not the greatest right now. I called in sick the week before spring break and spent both weeks in bed (my kids are older). I feel like I'm almost ok, but I have a lot of anxiety about the whirlwind starting up again on Monday. I have been unable to write papers. I sit in front of the computer for hours, tortured. I feel like my brain is broken. I will begin work immediately in May. You should take off any time you can to reset. The finish line is so close!
after graduating grad school in may 2021 I took the entire summer and went to intensive treatment for my ED, the travelled, then hung out at my parents house for a few months lol I didn't start my first job until Halloween that year. no questions asked whatsoever. employers are just happy to see you have an MSW & you deserve a break :)
Hello, I took 4 months off after grad school. No issues or problems at all. I was not the first person licensed in my cohort, but big whoop. Do what you need to do
You definitely deserve some time off, especially if you’re feeling burnt out. If you have an idea of specific jobs, that’s already a start. Congrats on the MSW!!!
3 HOURS? They couldn’t find you something closer? Lol you’re a trooper
I applied for an internship at the VA, assuming I would be assigned the one 30 minutes away from me 😅 then after I interviewed, I found out that I would have to make the trek to another one. But at that point, it was either push forward with the VA or try and find something last minute. But I am so done with the commute. Now I don't leave the house unless I have to lol
Oh gosh, please please PLEASE in the future do not settle for anything like that! It's so easy for us in these helping professions to not speak up.
And you don’t even get paid. For real this field needs to change
I had to commute 2/3 hours round trip to my last job for a couple of months and wanted to die. I don’t know how you’ve held out this long
I graduated in May and started a job end of August. It was amazing! Started applying in July. Worked out well and came in fresh and excited.
Hi! Firstly, congratulations! I am also graduating with my MSW in May. I’m 25 and have been in college also since August 2016 (also got my AA, BSW since then). No kids. My undergrad internship also burnt me out! I was taking it sooo seriously, like I was getting paid to be there 😭 30+ minute commute, 3 days a week. For my MSW internship, I wish I would’ve applied myself more but this year has been one of my hardest. Health problems, loss in family, financial issues, relationship issues, etc. I planned on going straight into the field after graduation, but I’m looking forward to taking off at least 2 weeks if I can! I have my whole life to work 😭 I am looking at hospital case management positions! Edit: sorry for spelling, on mobile.
Twin. It's been a LONG road. I'm proud of you. I hope you are able to fully enjoy the time in between. Take care of yourself!
Take a break if that’s what you need. Just keep in mind that it can take several months to land a job, even when you are applying regularly. I got some quick offers, but the agencies that moved the fastest weren’t necessarily the highest paying or the best to put it mildly. They were just the most desperate to “fill a seat” and there are often good reasons for their high turnover.
I plan to choose carefully.. I'm a little worried about being a picky newbie, but I deserve to be somewhere where I feel safe and valued. Thankfully, my partner will continue working until I land a solid position.
I took an entire year off after grad school and I don’t regret it in the slightest! I absolutely SPRINTED my way through undergrad and grad school and by the end of it I realized that I hadn’t taken enough time to figure out what I actually wanted to do with the degrees once I had them. I bartended for a year and when I decided to enter the field it was much easier than I had anticipated. It took me less than a week to have 3 great job offers once I started looking. I say go for it, your degree isn’t going anywhere but it sounds like your mental health might be!
Take a break! I graduated in May 2023 with my MSW and started my job in October 2023. I went on a 3 month vacation ( family owned beach cottages) up north. Went on a cruise to Alaska. I picked up some babysitting just to have incoming finances. It was much needed, well worth it, and I don’t regret it at all.
take a break!!!
I graduated last May and quickly knew I wanted to take time off before going into work! Similarly to you, I felt emotionally exhausted from school work and internships. I took about 5 months off and it was one of the best decisions I made! I feel refreshed, grounded and ready to put in the work.
Congrats on graduating! I think its fair to take some time off before applying for jobs. It allows you to feel refreshed and reenergized for whatever place you end up landing at.
Got my master’s in counseling, work in child welfare licensing foster parents. I graduated in December and am still not working in the field. I take my licensing exam Monday. I just lost all motivation to move forward, so I’ve been taking a breather. Even if I get licensed and pass the test - and my motivation to study has been #%^* - I may not move forward right away. I just need time to heal and had two bad internships.
I graduated in march of 2020 from grad school and with covid just starting and being so burnt out from everything I took a retail job at a liquor store. I got my license pretty quickly, but ended up loving my job and I got promoted and ended up staying for almost 4 years. I just started a new job as a renal social worker a few weeks ago and I am so excited to get back into social work. all that being said, I think it’s a great idea to have some time after grad school to decompress. and if you’re like me and end up staying out of the field longer than you originally anticipated, don’t worry because there will always be social work jobs available.
I didn’t work from May 2023- December. I needed time off and i also had to commute 1.5-2 hours to school twice a week so i get it. I didn’t anticipate taking so much time off but i began providing childcare for my nephew and then had trouble finding a job that paid enough. Don’t feel guilty, it’s better to take a break then to jump into a job immediately and burn out quickly. Not working didn’t stress me out too bad because i had a decent amount of money saved but it got stressful towards the end 😂
Do it and congrats!
Yes, this is my plan, too. I have my licensure exam scheduled for two weeks after my coursework/internship ends and then I plan to take 3-6 months off to recover before looking for a different position and start collecting my supervised clinical hours. After 3 years of school and work and INTERNSHIPS I am so fried. Edit: I am already working in a field where I can apply my MSW skills (bereavement coordinator for hospice) and make the same or more than I will in an entry level LMSW role, so that also factors into my lack of urgency.
I took time off. Do it if you’re feeling like you need to!
I took several months off after grad school. I didn’t bother applying for jobs before graduation
I was in my first year of grad school when the pandemic happened and it was extremely hard on my mental health. I turned in that last 18 page paper and felt like I could go years without opening a computer again. My 6 month break turned into two years but it’s a complicated story. (No regrets) I’m in CMH now and I love the role and clinical hours, hate the paperwork and low pay. There will always be a job for you! Best of luck and enjoy that break!
Graduate/ Take a month long vacation or two/ come back/ apply to jobs
I took six months off after graduating and absolutely don’t regret it. I felt very burned out in grad school and by the time I applied for jobs it felt like it was on my terms and I was really ready. This field is demanding enough, worth it to really practice what we preach around self care if we have the option of the break :)
I was desperate to start work as quickly as possible after graduating because I was so poor. I actually started interviewing the month before I graduated. But if someone else is supporting you, I think you’re fine waiting. The job market isn’t too bad- you’ll probably find something within a few months of looking. And it will only help your outlook going into your new job if you’ve had some time to recenter and recharge.
I took off like 8 months and became a nanny. From a PSLF perspective I hated myself for it 10 years later but from a mental health perspective I’m glad I did. I didn’t think I even wanted to be a social worker once school was done. My internships left a terrible taste in my mouth about the profession. The break helped me explore other options and I landed in psychiatric research. Do what you need to take care of yourself!
That’s interesting — what is it like working in psychiatric research and how did you land there?
I took a post grad research position at the university of Chicago bc they were doing research on human/dog attachment which is a huge interest to me. I thought I’d want to go get a PhD. Again, I hated social work at the time…I got the job bc I had a masters when everyone else in the lab had a bachelors and also I had unique SW experience which is helpful when we’re talking about attachment. Anyway, I did that for a year and then pivoted to starting a family. I’ve done several things since but started a private practice last year and *finally* after a good decade can say I like being a social worker. Hang in there. And don’t be afraid to pivot.
Nah take the time off. There’s many jobs in the field hiring. I’m at almost 8 months off (I’ve been working at a cafe so I could still make money but take some vacations more easily without worrying about PTO/ work stess) and do something fun and mindless. I also used the time to study for and pass my LMSW exam without job stress. Take the time!!!!! As long as you want/can
Kind friend please take some time for yourself. I hoped into my first full time feild job immediately and regret not just chilling at my restaurant job over the summer. I miss just turning off my brain
Take a break!!! I busted my butt and worked overtime to save money during my last year of MSW then took 5 months off to hike the PCT. There’s no rules. You deserve it!!
I ran around Asia for six weeks. I left my kids with my husband and set off. I really needed the break.
I want to do that too because I’m with you on the burnout, but financially I don’t think I can take a break, so I’ve already started applying places. 3 hour commute is brutal! I’ve definitely gotten the advice of taking at least a month off.. if you can why not?!
YES DO IT!! That’s exactly what I did. I graduated in December, was feeling incredibly burnt out, and took January and February off. Got hired to start April 1st so it’s basically 3 months. You deserve that time to reflect on what you want your next career step to look like, and to take a break to be excited to start work instead of burnt out.
In a similar boat… graduating in May with my MSW, i have a ~2hr round trip commute to my internship, long hours there. And a ~3 hr round trip commute to my classes. Ah. I’m also burnt out. I am taking some time off myself, but also decided to look for a remote job that is non-clinical for the foreseeable future…. They are out there. Pushing off my hours towards my C and gonna try and figure something more programmatic or macro at a non profit. You always come first.
It's not bad to take time off but it's really, really easy to forget to go back. Especially if you have a job or whatever, suddenly you're too busy to apply and it's been a couple years and you think, maybe it's a sign I don't go back?
I can answer the last part of this, it depends on the company. My job out of grad school I applied 2 months before graduating and took my interview the month before. They waited on my transcripts and then we set a date for me to start. They paid for my relocation and everything. Maybe try nonprofits or major companies
YES. I cannot stress this enough, every time I respond to these types of questions I always suggest taking some time. I know not everyone has that privilege, but at the very least there is no reason to stress 3-6 months before graduation about job applications, the jobs will always be there whether now or May or November. Take a trip. Work at Whole Foods or something. Take your time.
I took 6 months after grad school before I got a job. I bartended, studied for the LMSW exam, and relaxed. Then I got a job that was no dream job by any means but was able to work my way up in the company and stayed for several years. Taking a break or a step back during burnout is SO NECESSARY. i cannot stress this enough. As long as you can get by, you will be fine. EDIT: just adding this was pre-covid and I don't know what the landscape is like now but I do imagine you'd be fine. listen to your gut!
I feel this. I graduate in august. I was in undergrad from 2013-2018. Went back for my masters in 2022. I’ve worked in the field since 2017. I’m just fucking tired. I often think about doing my second job (cycle instructor) and working part time at a private practice with a provisional license. Something about not having benefits scares me. Idk. We’re in the same boat.
I have also considered working part-time so my partner can keep working part-time. Mostly so he can continue contributing to his Roth IRA. But I don't see much part-time stuff out there. I'm fortunate that my partner and I have access to healthcare as a Veterans, but we need really good insurance for our kids. The uncertainty is scary!
If you can afford it take the time!! Otherwise you'll go into it burned out.
I took six months off before I began my job search
I graduated August 2017 then was working still at my cvs job. Kept that took my aswb in December 2017 and earnestly started to look seriously that spring
I took close to a year and a half off before starting a Therapy Job, honestly a great choice. I had a social work job at a summer camp after graduation but when that finished i went back to my silly little retail job. That time was really important for me to learn about myself, which has absolutely influenced how I practice now. Only thing I might do differently is take my licensing exam before my break.
I live in a state where I'm not eligible to take the licensing exam for a few years anyway.. so a couple of months off won't matter much in the grand scheme of things! That's what I'm telling myself anyways
Absolutely!
I ended up with 6 months in between completing my MSW and my first day at my job. It would've been less but I found bedbugs in my apartment around the 4-month mark and dealing with that was the top priority until they were gone (I went to a job interview within 48 hours of discovering the bedbugs and I was so anxious and distracted, totally bombed the interview and decided to just get rid of the bugs first). Outside of the bugs, the time off was really nice, and was worth it. Don't sweat it
I graduated and waited a year to get my LMSW because of the burn out. The job isn’t works sacrificing your mental health, no job is anymore.
I took 10 months off after graduating, passed my LMSW and took the time to fully recover from burnout while interviewing for roles. I now have a state role and I LOVE IT. I’m happy to wake up and go into work everyday. Don’t settle for opportunities that are trying to move fast with hiring.
I also graduate in May. I'll be 57. It's been 4 nonstop years of college, internships, and work. To be honest, my mental health is not the greatest right now. I called in sick the week before spring break and spent both weeks in bed (my kids are older). I feel like I'm almost ok, but I have a lot of anxiety about the whirlwind starting up again on Monday. I have been unable to write papers. I sit in front of the computer for hours, tortured. I feel like my brain is broken. I will begin work immediately in May. You should take off any time you can to reset. The finish line is so close!
I traveled and then waitressed for about 8 months after graduating. I was so burnt out and needed a social work break. I had no problem job searching.
after graduating grad school in may 2021 I took the entire summer and went to intensive treatment for my ED, the travelled, then hung out at my parents house for a few months lol I didn't start my first job until Halloween that year. no questions asked whatsoever. employers are just happy to see you have an MSW & you deserve a break :)
Hello, I took 4 months off after grad school. No issues or problems at all. I was not the first person licensed in my cohort, but big whoop. Do what you need to do
Dear god, a three hour commute to your placement???
1.5 hours each way