Career Description of a Social Worker
- A social work career can involve working with individuals, families, or groups of people.group of people image by Nikolay Okhitin from Fotolia.com
The job of a social worker, regardless of the specialty area, is to help individuals cope with the challenges that are preventing them from improving the quality of their lives. This can include research, enhancing communication skills, coping with mental and physical health issues, exploring relationships, and policy development. Social workers work with people of all ages and all economic groups. Social work can involve working with individuals, families, groups, or communities. - Obtaining a college degree is mandatory with a social work career.graduation image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that "a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) is the most common minimum requirement to qualify for a job in social work." To widen the scope of job possibilities with higher salaries a master's degree in social work (MSW) is necessary. BLS says an "MSW is typically required for positions in health and school settings and is required for clinical work." - Social workers must pass written examinations to obtain licensure.taking test image by Petro Feketa from Fotolia.com
Every state has its own individual requirements in terms of licensing, registration, and certification. These regulations must be met in order to continue maintaining your social work title. Social workers must attend continuing education classes, pass written examinations, and have ongoing training and client contact with appropriate supervision to meet these requirements. Contact the National Association of Social Work office to find out your specific state requirements. - Advanced degrees like a DSW are needed to teach or do research.harvard university image by Stephen Orsillo from Fotolia.com
There are career opportunities in social work that do require a Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) degree or a Ph.D degree. The BLS describes these job options as "college and university teaching positions and most research appointments." The majority of social workers do not choose to pursue these advanced degrees. - Social worker salaries vary with specialty areas, training and education.money image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
There is a wide range in terms of salaries in the social work profession because of the variety of settings available in this career. Salaries do increase for social workers who have more advanced degrees and greater experience. The BLS reports in May 2008 that "median wages of child, family, and school social workers was $39,530. Median annual wages of medical and public health social workers was $46,650. Median annual wages of mental health and substance abuse social workers was $37,210. - A hospital setting is one example of job settings for social workers.defibrillator and hospital room quipment monitor image by alma_sacra from Fotolia.com
There is vast array of populations and places social workers can work. College Crunch.org lists potential job settings including, "schools, prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, hospice programs, mental health agencies, child welfare and public social service agencies. - Choosing a career in social work offers a broad range of challenges.Familie image by Melanie Vollmert from Fotolia.com
The National Association of Social Workers says, "For sheer variety, few occupations can match social work, which offers the broadest range of opportunities and settings." NASW goes on to say that the education and training a career in social work offers "equip the professional social worker to combine the desire to help others with the knowledge, skill, and ethics to provide that help." Working daily with people can be extremely challenging but the rewards can be equally gratifying.
