I am considering going into the field of social work...?

Question

but I have heard that it's not all it's cracked up to be. I've heard that there's so much paperwork and legality involved that it's hard to actually feel like you're helping people.


I also have heard that social workers are paid like crap, but I know there's lots of different kinds who work in different areas as well.

Anyways, my main goal is to be able to find a job where I will feel like I'm accomplishing something in the world. I want to feel like I have made a genuine difference in someone's life and that without me, someone may not have made it through their problem.


So, I guess my question is: Is this field of work right for me? Or will my reward not be great enough?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I totally DIG your spirit, lady!! i like the fact that you want an occupation where you feel like you can make a difference and help people. Money is not the main motivation for you...

I feel the same way as you, girlie, and am currently in school getting my teaching credential to teach high school for the same reasons :)

People tell me often that teaching is too "hard" and "stressful", that i CANT really help people by doing it, that the pay is crap... But guess what? These people are NOT teachers,
nor are they happy with their own jobs for the most part, so i choose to ignore them... After all i know how i am, i know that i have MUCH to give to others, and that this makes me happy to do so... I know that being a millionaire isn't so important to me and for all these reasons, i feel that teaching will help me live the kind of satisfying life i deserve.

If you feel that being a social worker will give you an opportunity for a happy satisfying life, then you should GO with it..>!!
Ignore the naysayers and haters out there...Follow your instincts about YOU! Give social work an honest effort, you sound like your heart is in the right place :)

Besides if you feel like a career change LATER in life, then thats a possibility too...

Still my heart and good-will go out to you... Good luck :)

Answer 2

No one can answer if its the right job for you, except you. Try to volunteer in the social services field. Go to a food bank, to an emergency shelter, to a children's centre and ask if there is volunteer work. Go to your local hospital. Get involved in the field as a volunteer. Make an appt and talk with different social workers. Investigate the different fields of social work - as its far more than front line child protection.

I am a child and youth counselor. I was a nurse. I spent my high school years as a volunteer in the hospital, with Red Cross at the local senior citizen home and talking with other nurses, to see if it was a field I wanted to be involved in. It was. At that time the pay was awful ($10/hr) and the hours long but it was a very rewarding career.

I moved into counseling due to little jobs in my field - recession - and took on casual labour in women's transitional home, working with children of refugees and volunteering at a school focused on rehabilitation of physically handicapped children. I am now in a field that is rewarding, it is also exhausting at times and sometimes I wonder why I'm here. The pay isn't terrific but its not terrible. The hours are better than nursing. It's fun.

I work with counselors who (some) have their degree in social work. My friend who is a social worker moved from child protection to employment counseling and loves it. Another friend works in the hospital as a social worker. Others I know personally love child protection - yes its hard and it still can be rewarding especially when a family truly comes together after tragedy or abuse pulled them apart.

Explore the options out there. Only you know if its the field for you.

Answer 3

Will your reward be great enough? Depends are where your values, needs and wants lay.

That was my field....for many years I worked in the management and administrative and policy arena and made big money...I later moved to working directly with people, which does not pay a lot.

People often confuse social work with other types of helping professions...like counseling and guidance or life skills coaching...or psychology...

In any human services helping field you will make more with a graduate degree no matter where you work, be it government or be it the private sector.

NOTE: The most satisfying is non-profits, however, pick one that has competitive wages and benefits when looking for a job

Answer 4

I am a social worker. I work in two nusing homes. I find it rewarding so many people abanden older people. Yeah, there are times that the paperwork is intense and so is the politics. BUt seeing somone smile because I took 5 min/s of my day to talk with them makes it work it. even if they have dementia and do not remember later. It makes a difference then and brightens there day.
Also, with social work there is so many places so if one place does not fit right with your beliefs or if a place burns you out. There are plenity of other options. Pregnancy centers, Job and Family services, children services, drug and alocohol (sp?) treatment centers, nursing homes, hospitals, hospice, etc. You just need to find your nitch. Also take time for yourself. try not to get too involved (emotionally) with every client or you will get burned out.

Answer 5

Well: being an " SocialWorker in the Feild is a great Volunteering
program towards those whom want good Careers among other
type of people today called ( "Case Management personnel
Or Job Coach") teaching them some Voccational trainig Skills
yes ! refer http://www.community.soicalworker.org

Answer 6

it was my dream, since 7th grade to be a social worker... i have my bachelors in SW, and i ended up working in a completely different line work... do u volunteer? i did interns at domestic violence shelters, and a nursing home... i did after school programs for low income kids... you get the feel for the job when u volunteer... it pays crap... and here in michigan u need a license to be a sw, but in order to get a license u need two years under a licensed sw, could not get a job... ended up in automotive industry.

Answer 7

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