Essay on The Work of a Social Worker

Another negative aspect from seeking a social working profession is the annual salary. “The annual salary for a social worker varies based on exact employment and geographical location, but the median salary is just above $44,000.00. This is lower than other comparable professions and the salary for social workers is not steadily climbing” (Medical Articles and

Adoption Social Workers can find in police department's, mental health clinics, corporations, hospitals, and military facilities. Social workers are the nation's largest providers of mental health services. More than 600,000 people in the United States have a social work degree. There are a total of 649,400 jobs and expected to be 74,800 in 10 years.

Social work is a career that I have always been interested in, especially working with children and families. Helping people overcome obstacles and making the most of themselves is a very rewarding and yet a challenging career. I’ll have the chance to meet a variety of different people with different problems from cases of abuse and neglect as well as supporting those in the care system. I am particularly interested in working with children and families who often form the most vulnerable service users, developing a professional and trusting relationship with them, hopefully enabling them to participate fully in society.

With a master 's level education in social work, I see myself envisioning clients’ health and well-being. As a student, I will study and practice techniques, beyond a generalist perspective, that will allow me to give clients hope and the ability to see something greater than what they are facing. Upon completion of a Master of Social Work direct practice degree and certificates in gerontology and mental health programs, I intend to become a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I will competently incorporate specialized skills in different professional settings while developing my knowledge of a wide range of social issues and professional standards. With commitment, I wish to develop skills that will enable me to create or find hidden resources and services for my future clients, create platforms through counselling for victims of trauma.

Social workers meet in an office, hospital or school setting. Our text states, the focus of social workers is helping individuals, families, and groups cope with a wide variety of problems (2015). Social workers can work as a case manager, keeping records, files, and different types of documents and referrals for their client. They will take notes, make plans and keep the clients needs and choices in the clients hands, making sure they are respected and valued at all times. Social workers will network and work with others to ensure the client’s needs are being meet. The Occupational Outlook Quarterly states, a social worker also acts as an advocate for clients and refers them to other resources (2011). Their tasks vary and are similar to many other jobs in the field. The educational requirements are a bachelor’s degree to start, and require masters for positions in mental health or administration (Woodside & McClam, 2015). According to Human Services Career Network, This position interviews, coordinates, and plans programs and activities to meet the social and emotional needs of their clients. Works with the client to utilize community resources to meet individualized needs of the client. Typically reports to a senior case manager or director (2005). Social workers work with all populations, range from individual to group, from young to elderly and special needs. The average salary according to the Occupational Outlook is $44,200 per

Social work is a professional and academic discipline that works to improve the quality of life and enhance the wellbeing of individuals, families, couples, groups, and communities. Heather Holland is a Social Worker at Uniontown Hospital who has over 12 years’ experience in the field. She explains that a typical day on the job is far from easy. “Days in this career are crazy, busy, and mostly, undetermined” Holland explains of her days on the job. Social work is a very important job. Social workers work with clients who are vulnerable and in need of serious help. It is so extremely important that social workers are properly trained and are always giving their best in their work because client’s lives often depend on it. Social workers are

There are different careers in the social working field like public social worker works for the government and non-profit organization are in charge through helping education,legislation,and other large inventions. There

The National Association of Social Workers says, “According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social work is one of the fastest growing careers in the United States. The profession is expected to grow by 19% between 2012 and 2022. There are more than 650,000 people that currently hold a degree in social work” (“Social”). Social workers aim to help those in need. There are many positive and negative opinions about social workers. For example, some think that social workers only help people that live in poverty, and others think that all social workers have a heart for children. There are several myths about social workers such as all social workers take children away or that social workers are underpaid. Another myth that is said is that most social workers are women. Although these myths contain a little truth, they are still myths.

Social work may not be the most respected profession but it’s a recognizable one. Social workers help people or groups identify their problems, determine their skills and capacities, what they are doing well, and how that was accomplished, and then analyze ways that those strengths might be applied to the identified problems. Social workers are helping professionals.

You also need to obtain the certification that's required by your state. Visit the Association of Social Work Boards to learn more about your state's specific requirements.

I have never felt so much drive and power to start my profession, but also fear and anxiety. When I graduate, I will have to start the repayment of my student loans. I know I am not the only student that has felt this way before or will have to pay for student loans, but in the world of the helping profession, it is demoralizing to know that the compensation does not match the labor. According to the National Association of Social Workers Center for Workforce Studies, the average pay is between $35,000 and $ 59,999. Social workers are constantly facing challenging agency environments, vulnerable and oppressed populations, mental illnesses, and traumatic events. This means that current Social Workers are looking outside the profession for work. The compensation of this profession has to be congruent to the amount of education and labor that the Social Worker has put

To be in this field of work, a proper education is required. The Child Care Career Book says “a masters degree in social work is needed if this person would like to go into the mental health, research, or supervisory positions”. It also states that, “A doctorate id required for teaching and desirable for some research and administrative jobs”. Also a social worker at my school said

Families are engaged by school social workers to strengthen their parenting skills and school involvement, to create a link to outside resources, and to assist them through their student’s education process. School social workers are often the main path for which families are connected with services that provide assistance with social, emotional, or economic needs (Minnesota School Social Work Association, n.d.). In the state of Minnesota school social workers must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited social work program as well as licensure from the Board of Social Work and licensure as a Teacher/Related Service through Minnesota Department of Education (Minnesota School Social Work Association, n.d.). In some states, as well as several school districts within Minnesota, it is required that social workers have a Master’s degree to practice in a school.

Social Work is a field of interest to me because of the positive effort it contributes to society. Within the social work profession individuals are striving to improve the welfare of those in need of assistance. Social Workers assist a variety of individuals; from children, young adolescents, older adults, mentally ill, substance abuse individuals, and many other minorities; as in LGBT members, veterans, homeless people, and low socioeconomic status individuals. The broad mix population fascinates me because within this field one will always be able to work in a flexible environment. Social Work is used in multiple settings as in hospitals, nursing skilled homes, mental health and substance abuse clinics, schools, correctional facilities, community centers, child welfare agencies, employee assistance programs, and private practices.

As the saying goes, “Our children are our future” and who you are as a child can determine who you can be later on in life. It is important for a child to be in a safe, comfortable and loving environment during its development so that the child can have the full advantage to become the best he can be in his future. My future career as a social worker will ensure just that. I chose this profession because of my own history. Growing up, I’ve had my share of social workers in my house. I experienced them as people who helped my family during a hard time. This is a career where I can fight for people’s rights. I will also be able to protect