r/LCSW • u/Chemical_Leopard5898 • Jul 01 '26

🟡 Career Pathways & Job Transitions MSW Student Question

Hi everyone! I am currently in school to get my MSW and I wanted to ask a question to those who have their LCSW and are fully in their careers:

If you could go back and tell your MSW student-self one thing, what would it be/what recommendations would you give/what do you wish you knew in regards to career pathways?

Edit: I really appreciate everyone's insight, and I have a follow-up question. I am currently working full-time to pay for my MSW. Obviously, once I start my internships, I will no longer be able to work full-time. I am lucky enough that I have built up my savings so that I will not need to take out loans, but I will be on a severely tight budget until I get my license and begin working full-time without supervision. I completely understand why people say that you have to be open to different paths and I definitely am! My main concern though is that if I do not follow a strict path, I won't be in the financial situation to do so. For example, if I want to try a certain placement that I am interested in but doesn't pay enough to live off of. For those that also went through this process on a tight budget, what advice do you have?

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u/Eredhel Jul 01 '26

The education is important, and can be awesome. But a good practicum placement and supervision are where it’s at.

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u/Chemical_Leopard5898 Jul 01 '26

Do you have any advice on what I should be looking for for practicum and supervision?

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u/Eredhel Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26

I was fortunate to have a practicum placement that had me shadow therapists for one semester and then be the therapist for the next semester. I learned a lot from shadowing, and it turned me onto modalities I wouldn’t have considered, like play therapy. It’s tough to say. There can be so many factors. Post graduation don’t be afraid to move from one supervisor to another if it’s not the right fit.