How to start a social worker career

The social work field is a growing field and will continue to grow as long as there are elderly people, children, and individuals with mental health or substance abuse issues, in short, those individuals who need help. If you are the kind of person who enjoys helping others and making a difference in people lives, then choosing a career in a social work job field may be right for you.

Education requirements

There are different types of social workers in the social work industry; there are social workers who work in schools, prisons, hospitals, and nursing homes. Degree options For anyone who thinks that he is interested in a career in social work, he can obtain an associate’s degree to get a brief understanding of what becoming a social worker entails. All social workers are required to have a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW). Many students continue towards a higher education and obtain a master’s degree in social work or a doctoral degree in social work (DSW,) so they can have more career choices. Along with obtaining the required degrees, it is mandatory to have completed a certain number of hours in fieldwork. Licensing and exam requirements After a student graduates with a social work degree and completes the necessary training hours, he may obtain his social work license. To obtain a social work license, a student must at least have a master’s degree in social work and two years or 3000 hours of verified work experience. A state or national exam that consists of 170 questions must be taken and passed for a person to finally get licensed in social work.

General facts about social work careers

Salary information The average annual salary for a social worker is around $33,000 to $40,000, but depending on the social work field that a person choose, the annual salary could vary. For example, a child, family or school social worker makes an annual average of $34,820, and a mental health and substance abuse social work makes an annual average of $33,920. Career advancement There are plenty advancement opportunities in the social work field, depending on the type of degree a social worker has. A social worker with a master’s degree in social work can have a management position, or be involved in clinical work, whereas a social worker with a Doctorate degree in social work can do a lot of research work or teach graduate level course.