I'm in the process of making a big career move, but I think I need some advice. I'm a social worker and I'm pursing my license, my LCSW. However, in order to do this I am probably going to go to a counseling agency. For those of you who are not social workers... Let me explain. I used to work for an agency and got totally burnt out: I worked every weekday for well over 8 hours, was asked to work weekends for free, got called in the middle of the night with crisis situations, and was NEVER done with the paperwork. Not to mention the pay was barley enough to pay the bills (and I'm a very frugal and budget oriented person). Due to all of the stress I started having actual panic attacks.
But now... I'm in a really good place to try again. I live in a small town with very limited options & my current job will not meet the requirements for my license. The local counseling agency is only 5 minutes from my house. All of my other options are a 40 minute to an hours drive away. The counseling agency can help me achieve my goal of getting my LCSW and (in two or three years) starting my own private practice. So, in my mindset, I need to run the gauntlet for two years. After that time I can be my own boss & I'll have a lot more career opportunities. My main problem is I'm concerned I'll get burnt out again. "It's only two years; you can do anything for two years" my husband & friends say. Me, I'm not so sure. "You can't hold your breath for two years" I reply. Haha. I've talked to therapists who have worked for this agency and they do say it is extremely challenging and they are overworked. But my question to you all is this: How do you thrive in a high stress job? How do you not let the stress get to you? I want to succeed at this job.
Personally, I've been trying to meditate daily, go for a two mile walk daily, eat healthy, and I even see a therapist to assist with self-actualization. Yet, I still feel this tightness in my chest, this difficulty breathing whenever I think about going to work for this agency. I think it's the best move for my career and my family, but I look at it and I think "This is going to be hell." And I need to pack marshmallows and air conditioning...
