I worked in customer service for a major bank and was very much living hand to mouth when I quit without another job or plan lined up. It was SUCH a relief to get away from a micromanagerial environment. Some people are suited to that and aren't self starters capable of managing their own time. Others just can't stand the constant scrutiny and wither e rather than flourish under those conditions. There's nothing wrong with that. What's wrong is staying in a job you hate hate hate and makes you miserable. I was very lucky when three days later and landed a job in a field I'm still in and enjoy. Sometimes you just have to take a risk. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

You are right, pp...because there's no such thing as rocket surgery

Anonymous wrote:Um, most Americans don't have the luxury of walking away from a job without a plan. Granted the PP and many living in La-La DCUMland are so out of touch with reality that they can't comprehend that. For the record, I'm not jealous...I love my public interest law job. But the OP said herself that she didn't have a plan or money...but I suspect she's just another typical dcumer who doesn't really know what "doesn't have money" means. It means you don't quit a job without another lined up...

Sometimes people quit horrible jobs without having another one lined up, even if they can't afford it. It's not rocket surgery.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can I ask the population you worked with, and salary?

Not the OP, but I have a BSW, work with disabled/aging and make $72K/year. (At job 12 years.)

Thank you, that is helpful. I don't know if you saw my follow-up post but basically I'm an MSW student interested in burnout among target populations. I know right now the population that I work best with, but I wonder if 12/15/20 years down the line if I can expect to feel the same as OP... Anyway, thank you!

OP is a meanie, too. Look at her post @ "my thoughts exactly." She's no better than the rest of DCUMland.

Anonymous wrote:Can I ask the population you worked with, and salary?

Not the OP, but I have a BSW, work with disabled/aging and make $72K/year. (At job 12 years.)

To 21:44 - you sound unhinged. And clearly you don't understand that most Americans live paycheck to paycheck. I'm talking about people all across the country, not just in DC. The vast majority of people wouldn't quit a job out of fear of not being able to make rent and keep food on the table. Materialism has nothing to do with it. Just saying the MSW is fortunate that she has a husband who can support her. Geez.

Looks like the meanies are out tonight!

Pay no attention to them, OP.

Congrats OP. You know what's best for you. Those county social work jobs are HARD.

Anonymous wrote:Um, most Americans don't have the luxury of walking away from a job without a plan. Granted the PP and many living in La-La DCUMland are so out of touch with reality that they can't comprehend that. For the record, I'm not jealous...I love my public interest law job. But the OP said herself that she didn't have a plan or money...but I suspect she's just another typical dcumer who doesn't really know what "doesn't have money" means. It means you don't quit a job without another lined up...

No maybe she is not the typical DCUMer who chooses happiness over money. In know you can't, but IMAGINE THAT??? I think someone who chooses Social Work in the first place is not materialistic and does not have high material wants. MANY people in DC live on very low incomes and MANY of them off of one income. I know a family of 4 living off 80K, which would be downright impoverished to you Ms. Hot air pompous worthless dirt bag attorney.

The OP sounds like she went to grad school to kill time while trying to find a husband. She definitely doesn't sound like the kind hearted social workers and providers I know. Enjoy your new life, OP!

It's sounds like you've made a good decision for yourself and I'm happy for you. I'm just sorry you were driven to the point that you had to quit like this. I worked with a county social worker when my youngest was in EI. I'm just sorry that yet another good social services professional has been driven out of a position that I'm sure served those who really needed assistance. It's a shame, isn't it? I also understand that you don't have to be rich to quit a job without having another one lined up. Sometimes a situation is just too toxic and you need to get out. Nothing wrong with picking up a retail/restaurant/babysitting job while you look for a better one. Best of luck to you!

I'm 21:18, and the reason I asked those questions is because I'm getting my MSW now, and I hear about burnout a lot. I'm wondering how big the trade-off is for peace of mind/ no stress vs paycheck, I guess. And another question- the job/ population: were they what you thought you wanted, or was it not an 'ideal' job from the beginning?

Um, most Americans don't have the luxury of walking away from a job without a plan. Granted the PP and many living in La-La DCUMland are so out of touch with reality that they can't comprehend that. For the record, I'm not jealous...I love my public interest law job. But the OP said herself that she didn't have a plan or money...but I suspect she's just another typical dcumer who doesn't really know what "doesn't have money" means. It means you don't quit a job without another lined up...