Catch 22

Here's the latest dilemma - my SW license. There is nothing more I want than to be a LMSW. However, getting to that dream is much harder than I had originally thought. I have received advice from employed social workers in the last few days that is quite obvious. They have told me that most agencies won't even look at me until I have my LMSW. Well, duh! It's always better to hire someone who is actually licensed to do what they do rather than someone like me who just plays a professional on TV. Of course I should have my license. Of course I want my license. What's keeping me from getting it, you ask? Well, the wonderful folks at the State of New York feel that it is a necessary evil to take money from someone who will not make any money in their lifetime. To this I will add my own little Mastercard Commercial:

Registering in the State of New York: $270

Fee to take the Exam: $175

Spending $445 so that you are a
licensed professional and can now
make minimum wage for the rest
of your life: PRICELESS

Currently, I do not have the $445 to spend to get a license. Not to mention the fact that this is not a guarantee that I will get my license. I would still have to pass the damn test. I refuse to beg for the money from my parents and I certainly will not ask my husband for the money (yes, we have separate money) because I feel that this is something I should do on my own. I am the one who chose to go into SW, I am the one who chose to go to Columbia and I was the one who was stupid enough to think that this whole SW thing would be easy.

So that's my rant about being a Real Live Social Worker. Social Workers are asked to give their heart and soul to the people they serve and in return we get shitty wages, little recognition and get to live slightly above the poverty line. Who the hell created this profession? Oh well....Damn me for wanting to help people and change the world.

But back to the real reason for this post - the Irony.

I can't get a job unless I have a license and I can't get a license because I can't afford to pay for it without having a job.

I hate getting caught in the Catch 22!