<p>I am going to sound pretty mercenary but remember that I am about to pay $40k/year tuition <g>. Social work is a great field but another one under-recognized financially. Sometimes, that doesn't matter at all if it gives you some financial support, good work hours/benefits and personal satisfaction. Honestly, it is no different in most "helping professions" including teaching, allied health. Just thought I should mention that the MSWs are graded below SLPs and auds in the medical setting meaning that their pay scales are lower. Private practice involving counseling may be better financially. In all honesty, though, I never thought about salaries when I was going to school so maybe I am just too old and worried about paying for college and retirement and shouldn't be so negative! For me, this is the time of life when you wish you had invented post-it notes. OTOH, of all my college friends, I undoubtedly have the lowest salary........so it's something to keep in the back of one's mind, anyway. I should mention that there are sometimes options for increasing salary in industry - that's usually a trade off situation in my field - not necessarily others. I am not usually so negative, but, healthcare has changed a lot. There is definitely a growing need for all professions in healthcare which may change the economic and professional dynamics for the future, though.</g></p>