Social workers assist people resolving problems to improve their lives. They work with people struggling with family problems, the homeless, and people who are ill. They may assist students struggling in school.
Social workers assist people by locating resources for them. To help a person struggling with their families, social workers may locate a parenting course or find a support group. To help a homeless person, social workers may locate housing and a career training class. To help a student, social workers could find a person to help them with a learning disability.
Certain social workers help their clients locate resources like the aforementioned. They conduct research to determine how to help their clients. Then, they organize programs to assist them. They could work with people afflicted by poverty, child abuse, violence, and other issues.
Social workers frequently provide counseling services. Clients discuss their problems with social workers and then they offer solutions.
There are three main types of social work.
Child, family, and school social workers. These professionals locate foster homes for mistreated or abused children. They also instruct parents about child care. Other social workers assist people arranging adoptions. Social workers employed at schools help students and teachers learn how to resolve social, learning, and behavioral problems. Certain social workers assist older people and their loved ones.
Medical and public health social workers. These professionals assist people struggling with terminal and other illnesses. They counsel individuals and their families struggling with illnesses. They also locate nutrition training programs and nursing care to assist these people.
Mental health and substance abuse social workers. These professionals are often known as clinical social workers. They assist those struggling with mental illness or substance abuse. They could utilize talk therapy to discover individuals’ problems and determine solutions to solve them. They might also assist members of the general community by discovering individuals needing assistance and offering it. Some of these professionals set up programs to teach people how to prepare budgets, handle anger, or improve other important life skills.
Whatever their specialty, the majority of social workers meet with clients and organize programs in offices. Some travel to the homes of their clients to meet with them. Occasionally, they meet with clients at night and on the weekends. Many social workers are self employed.
Many social workers enjoy their careers, but it can be stressful working with angry and struggling people. Often, social workers have full schedules since they work with multiple people at a time.
How do you prepare for this career?
Most social workers attend college. They usually obtain a 4 year bachelor's degree. Many social workers are required to obtain a 2 year master's degree to obtain their desired job. Some social workers attend school longer to obtain PhD.
During college, social workers are taught various ways to assist struggling individuals. They also enroll in psychology, sociology, economics, and ethics courses. Students additionally learn by working alongside skilled social workers.
Before they are hired, social workers must become registered, certified, or licensed. The requirements for these certifications vary by state. Social workers may also become members of the National Association of Social Workers. This certification opens up numerous job opportunities for social workers.
Students can prepare for this career by enrolling in social studies courses. They can also volunteer with charity organizations and join peer mentoring groups.
How much will I earn?
Most social workers work as school, family, and child school social workers. Salaries for child, family, and school social workers in the 50th percentile were between $29,590-49,060 annually during 2008. Those with salaries in the lower 10th percentile made $24,480 or less while those in the upper 10th percentile made $62,530 or more annually.
Salaries for medical and public health social workers in the 50th percentile earned between $34,110-53,740 annually during 2008. Those with salaries in the lower 10th percentile earned $27,280 or less while those in the upper 10th percentile earned $64,070 or more annually.
Salaries for mental health and substance abuse social workers in the 50th percentile earned between $27,940-45,720 annually during 2008. Those with salaries in the lower 10th percentile earned $22,490 or less while those in the upper 10th percentile earned $57,630 or more annually.
How many jobs are there?
During 2008, nearly 595,000 social workers were employed. Nearly 50 percent were employed by social services and health care clinics, and nearly 30 percent were employed by government departments.
What is the future outlook for this career?
It is projected that until 2016 job growth for social workers should increase quicker than average growth in other industries. Numerous jobs will be available for those desiring to assist the elderly. Jobs will also be available for social workers assisting people overcoming substance abuse problems. Jobs for social workers at schools will also increase since more students are enrolled in special education programs. Additionally, jobs at hospitals will increase but not at the same rate as in other industries employing social workers.
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