What Can I Do with a SOCIAL WORK Degree?
What can I do with a SOCIAL WORK degree?
AREA EMPLOYERS DESCRIPTION/STRATEGIES
PUBLIC WELFARE Public welfare agencies Public welfare is designed to provide services and Administration and Planning Private social service agencies support for poor, disabled, ill, elderly, or juvenile Case Management Local, state, and federal government including: clients. Program Evaluation o Department of Human Services Policy Development o Department of Education Volunteer at homeless shelters, soup kitchens, battered Research o Housing Services women homes, literacy programs, or other social o Veterans Administration service agencies to get experience. o Indian Health Services o Administrative agencies Gain management experience through internships, o Job Corps part-time employment, or leadership in relevant o Head Start student organizations. o State legislatures
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/CORRECTIONS Prisons and correctional facilities Social workers in corrections focus on rehabilitation Counseling/Therapy Courts of clients. Rehabilitation Police departments Probation Probation and parole offices Obtain experience by volunteering at a correction Parole Victim services organizations facility or victims’ program such as a rape crisis center. Youth Services Private Treatment Facilities Victim Assistance Youth Services Organizations Drug Prevention
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK Elementary and secondary schools School systems may employ social workers to help Case Management School districts students cope with and resolve emotional, Pupil Personnel Services Head start centers developmental, or educational difficulties. Student Advocacy Early intervention programs Instruction Gain experience with children at daycare centers, Assessment camps, Boys and Girls Clubs, and the like. Referral
What can I do with a SOCIAL WORK degree?
AREA EMPLOYERS DESCRIPTION/STRATEGIES
CLINICAL Community mental health centers Clinical social workers are found in a variety of Counseling/Therapy: Individual, Group, Psychiatric hospitals settings that provide therapeutic counseling to clients. Family Behavioral health systems Assessment Drug/alcohol rehabilitation centers Master of Social Work (MSW) is required. Case Management Residential and day treatment hospitals Crisis Intervention Employment assistance programs (EAP) Obtain licensure as an LCSW since many employers Program Planning Schools require licensure to practice. Family service agencies Private or group practice Develop strong communication, listening, and organizational skills, along with a sense of empathy.
ADMINISTRATION Family service agencies Administrators are involved with planning, Management Child welfare departments budgeting, public relations, marketing, supervising, Policy Development Social service agencies operations management, fund raising, and other Planning State mental health departments crucial responsibilities that keeps an organization Supervision Employee assistance programs (EAP) functioning. Fundraising Probation and parole departments Budgeting Public welfare agencies Obtain an MSW and gain management experience. Grant Writing Public interest groups Advocacy Local, state, and federal government Consider a minor in business during undergraduate Evaluation Residential and outpatient hospitals/treatment centers education.
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION Colleges and universities Research provides data and statistics important in Research Research institutes program implementations and policy development. Teaching Research hospitals Grant Writing Local, state, and federal government Doctor of Social Work (DSW) or Ph.D usually required. Supervision Advocacy organizations Gain research experience as an undergraduate by assisting professors with their work.
Acquire a solid background in statistics and research for higher education program development and evaluation. What can I do with a SOCIAL WORK degree?
AREA EMPLOYERS DESCRIPTION/STRATEGIES
OCCUPATIONAL Larger corporations Occupational social workers help employees to be Counseling Employee assistance programs (EAP) more productive and satisfied. Education Labor unions Wellness Promotion Local, state, and federal government: Gain experience in a university or community career Organizational Development - Department of Labor center while in school. Assessment Community agencies Human Resources Earn a relevant certification such as Certified Employee Assistance Professional or Global Career Development Facilitator.
HEALTHCARE Hospitals Social workers in healthcare facilitate medical and Case management Community health centers emotional treatment of patients. Counseling Outpatient clinics Prevention and Education Public health programs Choose volunteer settings such as hospitals, the Program development Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) American Red Cross, or AIDS agencies to get Administration Nursing homes experience. Research Group homes Child Life Specialists Hospice Attend local support groups to being to understand Hospice Care Veterans Administration hospitals the impact of illness on the person, family, and other Rehabilitation Home healthcare agencies support systems. Wellness Promotion
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION Advocacy organizations Social workers in this area work with existing Program and Community Development Development corporations organizations to improve conditions for specific Advocacy Community centers groups, enhance quality of living, and involve Politics Local, state, and federal government community members in the political process. Education Political associations Planning Get involved with grassroots causes and community agencies.
What can I do with a SOCIAL WORK degree?
AREA EMPLOYERS DESCRIPTION/STRATEGIES
GERONTOLOGY Hospitals Gerontology involves working with older adults, Advocacy/Intervention Nursing homes healthy or ill, and their families. Counseling Senior centers Case Management Assisted/independent living centers Get involved with programs or organizations designed Programming Hospice for senior citizens. Public Policy Home healthcare agencies Administration Mental health centers Employee assistance programs (EAP) Larger corporations, e.g. bans, investment firms, insurance companies
CHILD WELFARE Local, state, and federal government Child welfare social workers strive to ensure the Case Management including: safety and well-being of children through treatment Advocacy - Department of Children’s Services of the whole family. Intervention Public and private child welfare agencies Supervision Adoption agencies Volunteer at daycares, child shelters, camps, YMCA, Foster care organizations Scouts, or other agencies that aid youth. Child daycare centers Gain licensure as licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) after graduating from a master’s program in Social Work.
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Community residential homes Social workers in this area help people with disabilities Case Management State and local agencies to adjust and lead productive lives. Program Planning and Evaluation Medical facilities Research Schools Volunteer at special needs camps, daycares, schools, or Policy Development Colleges and universities hospital to gain experience. Advocacy Become familiar with human development and issues specific to disabilities and accommodations.
What can I do with a SOCIAL WORK degree?
AREA EMPLOYERS DESCRIPTION/STRATEGIES
INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL WORK International Inter-Governmental Organizations Social workers in the international arena identify Humanitarian Services (IGOs) such as United Nations Economic and social problems, make recommendations for social Advocacy Social Council and the World Health Organization programs and implement change. They work on Education solutions to problems including educational, Wellness Promotion International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) environmental, health, human rights injustices, Development: Economic & Community business and agricultural. Disaster/Disease Relief Federal government agencies with an international Volunteer Coordination focus, e.g. Peace Corps and United States Agency for Learn one or more foreign languages. Program Administration International Development (USAID) Clinical Practice Plan to study, volunteer, or intern abroad more than Policy Development Country-based service agencies one time if possible. Research International aid and relief organizations Join professional organizations such as National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Foundation programs specialty practice section of Social and Economic Justice and Peace. Nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations, e.g. Vital Voices or Habitat for Humanity Research the structure and function of the international organization/agency. Private voluntary organizations Develop good working knowledge of international Humanitarian organizations, e.g. International Red humanitarian law. Cross and CARE
Religious organizations, e.g. World Vision
Multi-national corporations
What can I do with a SOCIAL WORK degree?
General Information and Strategies
• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) prepares individuals for entry-level direct practice. • Master of Social Work (MSW) is necessary to provide therapy and for advancement to supervisory or administrative positions. • Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) or Ph.D. usually required for positions in teaching, research, and administration. Advanced degrees are desirable for some clinical positions and private practice. • Complete a degree from a college or university program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Programs include practical field experience. • Most states require licensure, certification, or registration. Contact the state board directly or the American Association of State Social Work Boards (ASWB) for information. • The National Association of Social Workers offers many specialized credentials that Social Workers can earn. Research these options after choosing a specialty area. • The field practicum is used to determine suitability for this profession and to provide exposure to various practice settings and clients. • Candidates should possess empathy for others, an appreciation for diversity, and an interest in social change. • Social workers serve a range of client systems (individuals, families, groups, communities) as they attempt to enhance social functioning. • Social work is unique given its dual focus on the person and the environment. • Join a social work organization while in school and seek leadership positions. • Look for ways to impact your community and get involved with local organizations and issues. • Update your resume as you acquire new accomplishments, skills, knowledge, and interests. • Learn a second language to better communicate with immigrant or migrant populations (particularly helpful in certain areas of the United States). • Note: Much of this information was adapted from Choices: Careers in Social Work by the National Association of Social Workers.