You have probably heard of a career as a social worker — but do you really know what it entails? Social workers are prevalent in many aspects of life — in child welfare, in clinical and mental health facilities, and in palliative and hospice care. If you are someone who likes to help others no matter what their difficulties are, you might want to consider a career as a social worker.
Education
To work in this field, you must have at least a bachelor’s degree in order to practice. Depending on the area in which you want to practice, you may also have to continue your education to a Master’s degree or further licensing. While earning your undergrad, you should expect to take classes in sociology, psychology, social work policy, community outreach, welfare programs and ethics. Be prepared to also do plenty of work outside of the classroom — you will have to complete fieldwork hours in your community that will give you a hands-on approach to what a career in social work is really like.
What to know before you apply
A career in social work is not always an easy one. You should be prepared to deal with difficult situations and have a lot of patience. Additionally, you should be aware of the requirements it takes to be a licensed social worker. How many hours of field work does your state require? Do the schools you’re applying to give you those hours? Make sure you’re getting the training you need.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social workers earned an average of $44,200 per year as of 2012.
For more information about social work careers, take the course at NextStepAcademy.com
