Need Some Ideas Please!

[crafty73]

Hi Everyone
I work FT Mon - Fri during the day and occassionally have evening meetings or out of town conferences I must attend. I am a social worker and work at a local high school. I love my job but my salary is even less than what a first year teacher makes! I would like to supplement my income but living in such a small town, options are limited. I don't want to do babysitting and mystery shopping really isn't an option here since there are so few places to shop. My whole career has been working with 'at risk' groups (youth, gangs, domestic violence etc) and I think it would be fun to try something totally different than what my 'day job' is. Any ideas?

[Momto5RN]

Home health care.

2 of our offices MSW are PT that have FT jobs at schools or hospitals. they see the cts on weekends are afternoons or evenings which actually works well for many because the family likes to be there .

you usually just let them know what resources are out there
explain whats needed to quailify for different programs -
work alot with seniors many who were able to care for themselves then had an illness etc that leaves them needing help .

if you are per deim you can take on cases as you can .
i would think it would be better money than childcare etc
and you can use your degree but use it for people who may be a bit more appreciative for what you offer them than kids / teens at risk.

i do home care as a RN per deim and i love my job ,

[Momto5RN]

ohh you are in canada - not sure if they do things the same way we do here in NJ but worth looking into maybe ?

[QM]

What about getting a job as an evening and/or weekend cashier at a local grocery store or children's clothing store?

Or maybe you could find a Dietary Aide job at a nearby nursing home? I was hired at a nursing home to help in the kitchen and set tables...I didn't have or need any experience. Only a compassionate heart for the elderly.

[prudent lass]

ohh you are in canada - not sure if they do things the same way we do here in NJ but worth looking into maybe ?

We have the same thing here in Ontario and as you said, it's a great way to set your own schedule and make extra cash. Here in ON they're called Community Care Access Centres (CCACs), but they may go under a different name in SK.

crafty73, I have some friends in SW. I'll pick their brains and report back if they have any creative ideas.

[prudent lass]

I love my job but my salary is even less than what a first year teacher makes!

Just processed this bit of info. This is freaking REDONGCULOUS.The amount of work it takes to get into and to graduate from a MSW program and you get the same as someone who did a year in teacher's college???

Please tell me you're on a good pay grid.

[crafty73]

I have my bachelor degree in social work, not my master's degree. The position I'm in is unionized but its with CUPE and not the same union as the teachers. It sucks because I feel my 4 year bachelor degree (BSW) from a recognized university (not a college) is just as valid as a 4 year bachelor degree in education but I don't get paid anywhere near what the teachers make and I put in just as many hours as they do (while the work is different, I think both are equally valuable). Plus, with the union the teachers belong to, you get a healthy increase for each yr you teach, plus they get paid year round, even during summer holidays. My position, we are only paid for 10 months and are paid thousands less than teachers plus less benefits etc. All the complaining aside , I love my job and am very passionate about it which is why I chose to stay where I am. I love working with the kids and their families. I just need some extra $$ lol I do government contracts with the Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing but they are sporadic at best and not a reliable source of income as you could go months and months between contracts.

[crafty73]

My paygrid sucks biscuits

[Momto5RN]

opps was mistaken

[prudent lass]

I love my job and am very passionate about it which is why I chose to stay where I am. I love working with the kids and their families.

I've found this attitude in all my SW friends and colleagues. It's a vocation in the truest sense of the word and I have the highest regard for your profession. Which, of course, means nothing when you're trying to pay your bills.

I've left a message re: your question with one of the savviest SWs I know. I'll post when I hear back from her. She's only worked in QC and ON though so she may not know a lot about options in SK.

Would you be willing to work in the north? i know a number of people who have taken this option. You get a cash bonus and the cost of living there is really low. It's augmented by the fact that there's nowhere to actually spend your money. Sounds less than glamorous, I know, but it's a good way to store up a ton of money.

[prudent lass]

A question, crafty. Is it actually your preference that your second job not be related to your day job? I know it's easy to get burned out, but your earning potential would be much higher if you did a job in your field. Maybe joining a private practice of psychologists or other SWs who specialize in non-teen issues?

Btw, did you see that ep of Til Debt Till Do Us Part where the CYW was the guardian of a teen with FAE? The government not only paid his salary, but all his living expenses, too. There was also money to pay for respite every month. An unorthodox job, but an amazing way to get ahead financially.

Anyway, if you wanted something completely different, consider tutoring. You might not be able to tutor within your board, but you could look at the Catholic board (or public, if you're with the Catholic). With your spec ed connections, you could find yourself flooded with referrals.

[crafty73]

thank you prudent lass all suggestions are very much welcomed. you are right that if i work in a different field i may not make as much money (mind u, i dont make much as it is lol). i wanted to try something different for a change of pace, it would be new and perhaps a bit of an adventure. i dont view the unknown or unfamiliar as something to dread, i always see it as an adventure i always thought that living up north was more expensive, especially if food and supplies have to be flown in a few times a yr. The farthest north i have been was La Loche, Saskatchewan and I found it to be horrendous. At that time i vowed never to go that far north again lol That was back in1993 and i remember the cost of food was outragous at that time, a denver sandwich was $8.00 in 1993! but things may have changed, i think i will have to check around and keep my eyes and ears open
THANK YOU everyone for your input, really appreciate it

[shoiji]

How about housitting? You can check on a house in the evening, water plants, take care of indoor animals, etc.

[Rebookie]

Do something out of the box! What do you have a passion for?

[prudent lass]

i always thought that living up north was more expensive, especially if food and supplies have to be flown in a few times a yr. The farthest north i have been was La Loche, Saskatchewan and I found it to be horrendous. At that time i vowed never to go that far north again lol That was back in1993 and i remember the cost of food was outragous at that time, a denver sandwich was $8.00 in 1993! but things may have changed, i think i will have to check around and keep my eyes and ears open

Had to google La Loche and whoa, our ideas of "up north" are several latitudes apart! I was thinking more like Sault Ste Marie. Yeah, if you're that far north then I don't think the cash bonus or northern residence tax credit are going to be enough to balance out the cost of living.

Just as an FYI for anyone considering tutoring, there's a huge variance in what tutors make, but the ones in areas with lots of private schools often have parents desperate for tutoring and willing to pay for the service. The going rate around here last year was $50/hour. (!!)