Social work is a fulfilling and rewarding career and an excellent choice for anyone looking for reliable work and good pay. If you are unsure what career you would like to pursue, or if you are looking to switch careers altogether, social work might might be the right fit for you. As a social worker you will have the opportunity to help people and make a positive impact on your community. But it is not a career without challenges. If you want to join this field, you will need a social work degree. Luckily, you can get your degree via the internet in only two years.1 Moreover, there are many ways to reduce the cost of your degree. This means that when you graduate, you may not only be free from debt but with a 99% chance of getting a high-paying career.
If you are still not convinced that social work might be the perfect fit for you, we’ve compiled a list of reasons why becoming a social worker is one of the best careers out there.
Social Work has Excellent Job Opportunities
Social work can be a very challenging profession, but most social workers agree that the rewards far outweigh the hardships and the costs. Social workers help people of all ages and backgrounds overcome a wide variety of problems. There are many different types of social work available. Here are some of the most common ones:
1. Child Welfare: As a social worker who focuses on child welfare, it will be your responsibility to inspect homes and cases for signs of possible child abuse. You will also help provide safe housing and protective environments for children, among other things.
2. Direct Service: This type of social work involves working with specific-purpose agencies such as those that help shelter homeless youth or offer gang youth programs.
3. Gerontology: Social work that helps the elderly and their families overcome the challenges of getting old, as well as ensuring that the elderly are well cared for and protected is another important branch of this field.
4. Public health: Those social workers who have chosen public health as their main area of expertise ensure that patients in medical institutions get proper care. They can also help medical workers, patients, and their families make difficult decisions all while looking out for the patients’ rights.
According to PayScale, 2 the average yearly income with bonuses can be up to $49,576. You can get an even better salary if you choose to work as an in-demand social worker or in a more challenging position.
You Can Make A Difference
No matter the specific position or focus, social workers have an important job. Whether you are taking care of children or adults, you will be doing an outstanding job for a whole community by helping those who need it the most. It is meaningful work, which means that you will be in a position to protect those who are most vulnerable. Not only will you improve peoples’ lives but you can save them as well. But you won’t only be benefiting others. The sense of fulfillment, achievement, and direction you will have as a social worker will give your life an entirely new meaning.
How Do I Choose Which Type of Degree I Need?
You have two options: bachelors’ (BSW) and masters’ degree (MSW). A bachelor degree will get you started and later during your career you can gain a masters’ degree as well. Most job positions require just a BSW, so there is no need to get the MSW right away. A BSW gives you all the knowledge you will need to work in any social work field.
For more specific career paths, you may need an MSW. The MSW gives you detailed knowledge of one field of specialization. MSW provides you with the opportunity to work in schools, hospitals or as a teacher.³ Upon graduation, you may be required to pass a licensing exam to start working legally⁴.
Because social workers are so in-demand, you may be able to apply for loan forgiveness from the federal government, and there are multiple scholarships and fellowships available for social work students to help you pay your education bills.⁵ Thus, it’s a great career to pursue if you want to avoid having to pay a lot of money to get the degree.
Improve Your Community by Becoming a Social Worker
A social work degree allows you to have an everyday impact on all the people within your community, so make it a positive one!
If you have decided to take this path, but aren’t sure what area would best suit you, that isn’t a problem. You can always start by earning your BSW. This way, you can explore different areas of social work until you find yourself completely satisfied with where you are.
[1] “Associate Degree in Social Work.” Social Work Guide. https://www.socialworkguide.org/degrees/associates/
[2] “Average Social Worker Salary.” PayScale. https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Social_Worker/Salary
[3] “How To Become A Social Worker: A Quick Guide.” Social Work Guide. https://www.socialworkguide.org/
[4] “What Does It Take to Become a Social Worker.” Study.com. 11 July 2018. https://study.com/what_does_it_take_to_become_a_social_worker.html
[5] “Student Loan Forgiveness for Social Workers.” National Association of Social Workers. https://www.socialworkers.org/Advocacy/Policy-Issues/Student-Loan-Forgiveness
