Social workers are highly trained professionals working to improve the quality of life and well-being of others through direct practice, crisis intervention, research, community organizing, policy change, advocacy, and educational programs. Social workers are dedicated to the pursuit of social justice and strive to help those affected by poverty, disabilities, illnesses, divorce, unemployment, and other personal problems and social disadvantages.
Being a social worker requires extensive knowledge of human behavior and development, as well as social, cultural, and economic institutions and the ways in which they interact. Most social workers will hold at least a bachelor’s degree in social work or related field, though many (especially clinicians) will hold a master’s degree and valid license to practice.
A good social worker will often possess a high degree of compassion and empathy, a passion for helping others, strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, and good listening and organizational skills.
Social workers fight for social justice, equality, and the overall well-being of people in need. Social workers are responsible for many of the liberties we have today. These include:
Clinical social workers diagnose and treat mental health conditions as well. They provide individual, family, and couples therapy, and they assist with depression, anxiety, family problems, and other mental health or behavioral issues. They may work in private practice or at a mental health or therapeutic facility. Social workers host support groups, create treatment plans, and facilitate interventions when necessary.
Some common duties of a social worker include:
There are several common areas of focus in the social work industry:
A good social worker will often possess a high degree of compassion and empathy, a passion for helping others, strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, as well as good listening and organizational skills.Social work is unique in the way it can be found in most aspects of community life. Social workers are employed in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, hospices and nursing homes, private practices, government institutions, correctional facilities, law offices, military organizations, public welfare agencies, nonprofit organizations, and some private businesses and corporations.
Even when social workers are employed in office, they may spend time traveling to visit with people in need. School social workers may also travel from school to school or hospital social workers from hospital to hospital.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics, overall employment of social workers is expected to grow at a rate of 19% between 2012 and 2022. The demand for health care social workers is expected to grow by as much as 27% during this same time period—a rate much higher than the average growth rate for all occupations. One reason for the increase in demand is due to the aging of the baby boomers, who will soon need long-term care and assistance.
Social workers in the mental health and substance abuse fields will also be in high demand, with a 23% increase in employment expected by 2022. More people are expected to seek mental health treatment, and people who have a substance addiction are increasingly sent to treatment programs rather than jails or prisons.
Those interested in entering the social work profession should first prepare for admission to the program of their choice by gaining valuable volunteer experience and obtaining professional references in the field.
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for an entry-level social work position, but most employers prefer a graduate degree. A master’s level education in social work is a requirement for clinical licensure in most states.
An undergraduate degree in social work is not necessary to gain admittance to a master’s program; virtually any bachelor’s degrees will suffice. Upon graduation, a few years of supervised work is necessary to gain licensure.
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