I am torn between two career paths. How do I choose?
By JULIE LABRIE, Special to The Globe and Mail
Monday, Nov. 12 2012
The Question:
I have a career dilemma. I am currently torn between two career paths and I am not sure how to make a decision. I have a social work background and I am interested in either pursuing more education to move into the human resources field or to pursue a developmental services worker certificate. I am very interested in working with people with barriers to employment and people with disabilities. Currently, I am taking courses in employment counselling, as I am interested in this field as well.
I feel that by taking HR courses it may open up more private sector jobs in areas I’m interested in. However, I’ll need to complete a four-year degree first, and there are aspects of this field in terms of values that do not sit well with me. After speaking with one recruiter in the HR field I found that this field is very much about money.
I also find that many of my requests for even informational interviews in the HR/recruiting area are not returned. In contrast the developmental services field seems much more promising in terms of employer response, even without having a formal DSW certificate.
I initially entered a social work program because I wanted to work with people in a helping field but I am finding employers don’t want people with only a social work degree. I believe from my own research that taking this certificate will lead me to a job.
I also feel social services work of some kind fits better with my overall value system, as I tend to be a very progressive person. However, I am worried about funding. It is great to want to help others but I just can’t afford to be a volunteer all of my life and many not-for-profits don’t seem to understand this. I often become frustrated with the fact there is so little funding in the social services area and I think that perhaps sacrificing a bit of my values in order to find some viable work in the private sector may be worth it in the end. What should I do?
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