It’s Time to Talk About Money

Social Work Today • Sue Coyle, MSW • Fall 2024 Issue

“Another factor that may affect salaries is the degree to which social workers are expected to work beyond their job description and without pay—something that starts before many have even earned their degrees.

‘In our field, we are expected to do a lot of unpaid work—not just students but professionals,’ says Alejandra Luis, MSW, a part of the national leadership team for Payment for Placements and a recent MSW graduate in Georgia. Payment for Placements is an advocacy group with chapters at colleges and universities throughout the country fighting for paid internships for social work students.

Unpaid internships, with the expectation that students will complete 1,200 hours per school year, for example, are exhausting for MSW students and limit the individuals who are able to complete the program. Many social work students must work while at school but are unable to do so to the degree necessary because of the requirements, making it difficult for them to make ends meet or complete the program. Allen points to recent findings that show that 28% of social work students at Boston University are receiving at least one form of government assistance, such as SNAP, and 72% are often or always worried about expenses.”

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