I've been toying around the idea of taking an intro to social work class because I'm not 100% set my major even thought I'm junior. I was thinking about possibly minoring in social work but I don't know if it's a waste or not. I'm currently a nutrition major hoping to work for a government agency such as WIC or work in nutritional counseling enviornment. My school does not offer a minor in counseling so I thought this was the next best thing and I've always had a place in my heart for social work.

Opinions Please?

I'm currently thinking about going into social work too. My major has nothing to do with it and Im a senior. You will need a masters in social work anyways if you go that route, so a minor in social work isn't necessary. Just take the intro class to see if you like it and try to do some social work volunteering and such.

and try to do some social work volunteering and such

This is mandatory! If you are considering social work, get experience as early as you possibly can because the courses don't show you what social work is like - the small-minded politics, etc.

I'm not saying that it is bad for everyone, but my sister said that she would look in the mirror after each work day and not like what she saw. She quit after about two years and tried to quit much earlier.

Since you want to work for a government agency taking an elective on the US government might be useful. And volunteering and interning is definitely a must. I think most government jobs require it anyway.

I was interested in doing my entire degree on Social Work initially but so many people said negative things that it really deterred me. I got a lot of, "Oh, you don't want to do that kind of work, it's too emotionally draining!".

Ya, well, I'm sure it's emotionally draining on the people involved as well but someone has to be there to do it.

I'd take the intro course and see what you think, you may find it intriguing, you may not.

I ended up taking intro to social work and I'm beyond in love with it. It's probably everything I've ever wanted to do and I think I could handle it and the stress it comes with but I'm not planning on changing my major at this time but I'm planning on minoring in social work.

Our instructor is pushing us all to volunteer and get out feet wet in the field. Not only are we learning the background , history, and basic principles we are learning about the different ways you could use a social work degree.

The good thing about a social work masters is most don't require any pre-requisites. I was close to getting my masters in social work and while I was school hunting I noticed that most (that I looked at) offered an accelerated program for those with a bachelors in SW, but nobody got penalized for not having one. So, don't worry about having a completely different major now. Just graduate so you can move onto the real stuff!

Grad school is fun

Sara- I never thought of that. That sounds like a great idea. I think I will keep the minor going though so I have some classes that I truly enjoy.

Okay I'm offically a pre-social work major! I've decided after months and months of soul searching that I do not want to be a dietitian. I feel so much better and happier about it!