[amandahane]

I was wondering if anyone out there might be able to provide me with a little more information about careers in international adoption. I just got back from a trip to India working in a children's home, and I'm trying to figure out how to build on that experience. It sounds like you don't necessarily need an MSW, but that it's useful? Would a degree in counselling psychology also be relevant? Also, if you work in the field, how often do you travel abroad? Do you get to know the children very well? And how long after the adoption do you follow up with the families? And finally, if you work in this field, can you make a decent living? (I'm mainly asking because I know that social workers often make very little, and I'm wondering if the adoption field is any different.) Any help you could give me would be great!

[BAnn08]

Hi Amanda ~ That's great you want to pursue this field! Travelling really does open your mind and I don't know anyone who comes back from abroad without having a love for differences in people and other cultures. I graduated from college with my BSW (Bachelor's of Social Work) in '06 and currently working with adopted children and their families. Basically, I travel with the families and their children revisiting their birth countries. I think in most agencies you do need your MSW, especially if you actually want to work with families wanting to adopt. I am actually going back for my MSW this fall, which is part of the agreement when I got hired in to my job. I would actually email or speak to someone who is working at an agency - Bethany Christian Services or another well known agency by you would be a good start. In Social Work, it is not a high paying job, but obviously the rewards of developing relationships with the children and families are what matter anyway. With a MSW degree, you can get paid more than having a BSW. You can definitely live 'comfortably' but not 'luxuriously.' PM if you want to talk more about this!