Start Rewarding Yourself – Becoming A Social Worker

 

 

Do you want to assist others? Do you have a strong desire to make a difference? If so, social work could be an excellent career choice for you. Social workers witness the best and worst of human nature, witnessing extraordinary acts of kindness and upsetting cases of neglect. It’s a role that can be both challenging and rewarding.

Social workers assist people who are dealing with a variety of physical, behavioral and environmental issues. While social work can be demanding, it is rewarding because you get to help others in need daily.

You must have an accredited degree or a first degree in another subject plus an accredited postgraduate course to become a social worker. If you do not have an undergraduate degree in social work, you can pursue a postgraduate degree through a social work master’s program. Working towards postgraduate qualifications is frequently combined with practical experience in social work.

To apply for your postgraduate course, you must have relevant work experience. This will assist you in determining whether social work is the right career for you and provide you with scenarios to reflect on during your studies. There are other options if you do not want to pursue a social work degree but still want to help people and make a difference in their lives. For example, as a high school graduate, you could work as a social work assistant. High school graduates can also work and gain qualifications in the broader social care field.

What do social workers do?

At any given time, social workers work with many people. Assessing people’s needs, strengths and wishes, working directly with individuals and families to help them make changes and solve problems, organizing support, making recommendations or referrals to other services and agencies and keeping detailed records are all part of the job. The issues that social workers encounter are frequently rooted in social or emotional disadvantage, discrimination, poverty or trauma. Social workers see the big picture that affects people’s lives and work to create a more equal and just society where human rights are respected and protected.

Social workers are trained and equipped with the skills to effect change in all roles. They learn how to use the relevant legal powers to protect people’s rights, and sometimes balance the rights of everyone involved. This skill set is unique to the social work profession. Here are some reasons why social work is one of the most rewarding professions.

The Rewards

As touched upon, becoming a social worker is a challenging, demanding and sometimes taxing job. However, the benefits and rewards far outweigh these. Here are some reasons many people consider training to become a social worker:

Acquiring skills – Being a social worker entails interacting with people from various backgrounds. This, in turn, will deepen your understanding and knowledge of human relationships, leading to improved communication and leadership abilities. Furthermore, social workers have a healthy level of autonomy as they assist clients in discovering and deciding how to achieve their goals. This independence can be a valuable asset for those who prefer a more flexible work schedule.

Job satisfaction – Job satisfaction significantly impacts how you feel about yourself and your life. After all, you spend a significant amount of time at work. Studies show that people who assist others find more meaning in their work. As a social worker, you can help individuals, organizations and entire communities. You assist others in resolving problems they cannot solve independently. For example, as a school social worker, you would help children with issues such as bullying or aggression. As a healthcare social worker, you might assist patients in understanding their diagnoses and how to live with them physically and mentally.

In-demand role – According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, social worker employment will grow much faster than the national average by 2029. If you specialize in areas where your services are most needed, such as substance abuse and mental health, the demand is even greater. According to the BLS, demand for these professionals will increase by 25%. This is a job that is in high demand that also offers meaning and fulfillment.

Making a difference – Special attention is paid to vulnerable and oppressed communities in social work. Social workers not only help individuals and families but also advocate for social change. Social workers inspire individuals to see and address the internalized messages of oppression that hold them back by developing programs that explore the effects of racism, sexism and homophobia in people’s lives. Pursuing a career in social work is most certainly a worthwhile and rewarding career in this sense.

Dynamic role – Another advantage of working as a social worker is that the job constantly changes. As a result, a social worker’s daily responsibilities vary greatly. Some days, social workers meet with families or individuals to talk about financial plans, an upcoming court hearing or subsidized housing options. Other workdays may be spent on community outreach and networking. In addition, the clients of a social worker may influence how they spend their workday. For example, social workers who work with homeless people may visit shelters, parks and soup kitchens to build relationships with clients and assist them in transitioning to permanent housing.

Child welfare social workers, on the other hand, frequently spend their time making home visits, coordinating services for foster children, supervising visits between children and their families and attending court hearings. No two days are the same for clinical social workers in private practice. Depending on the situation, these social workers use different therapeutic techniques, such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy or mindfulness-based stress reduction. Substance abuse, marital problems and post-traumatic stress disorder are some of the issues they address.

Social work roles

There are numerous career paths available in social work. Here are some examples of various social work jobs:

Direct care worker – Direct care workers provide care and assistance to patients who cannot care for themselves due to a physical or developmental disability, advanced age, illness or injury. They may assist patients with daily activities such as personal hygiene, medication administration, household chores, errand running and independent living counseling. Direct care workers also watch for changes in patients’ overall health.

School counsellor – A school counselor counsels students on topics such as personal and social development, career development, college admissions and meeting academic goals. School counselors can work in public, private and charter schools in elementary, middle and high schools. A school counselor’s specific responsibilities vary depending on the ages and needs of the students they serve.

Healthcare worker – Healthcare and hospital social workers assist people in dealing with various factors that impact their health and wellness, such as emotional, physical or medical stress. For example, patients with terminal or chronic medical conditions may become overwhelmed by their conditions’ emotional and financial burdens. Health care social workers assist these clients and their families during this challenging time. They also give them direction, stability and advice when they are unsure what to do next.

Child welfare officer – Child welfare and family social workers assist vulnerable children and families experiencing psychological or social issues at home, school or in the community. They inspect the home to ensure that parents or caregivers provide a safe environment. They also assist parents or caregivers in helping them improve their relationships with their children. A child welfare and family social worker may intervene to provide a safer environment for a child if they observe that the child’s safety is jeopardized.

Employment support officer – Employment support workers help people in need of care and support find suitable employment opportunities and assist them with their resumes and interview skills. They also work with employers to help people adjust to their new jobs. Supported employment workers, advisors and inclusion workers are all possible job titles.

Final thoughts

Many people today take their rights for granted because of the work of social workers. Because these courageous individuals were willing to speak out against abuse, neglect and injustice, all people now have protected civil rights. Individuals with a mental health diagnosis are no longer institutionalized. Families can access the resources they qualify for even if they don’t know how to complete the administrative process. So, we can conclude that social work is an emotionally demanding but gratifying profession. We have spoken greatly about the rewards of becoming a social worker, but this career is more concerned with how willing you are to help humanity than with what you will receive.