Social work is all about helping people. That fact alone may be rewarding enough for many who want to get started. However, there’s more to being a social worker than just assisting others in need. There are plenty of benefits for you personally and professionally.
If you’re considering entering social work but are unsure if it’s appropriate for you, here are some wonderful and empowering benefits of working with people who really need your support.
You help people reach their full potential
As a social worker, you do more than just stand up for the rights of others. You’ll get the chance to learn deeply about people’s lives, personalities, and what they’d like to achieve. Sadly, however, many people find themselves severely disadvantaged – whether through health, addiction problems, crime, or other factors.
Social workers learn how to help said people find the best versions of themselves and really aim for the goals they want to achieve. Whether the blockades in place are intangible or physical, you’ll learn how to adapt theories and models of social care practice through education, such as online MSW programs. Remote online social care education, through bodies such as Cleveland State University, provides students with case studies, practical guides, and evidence-based learning. Courses like this ensure that you have access to all the tools you need to encourage people to strive beyond their boundaries.
It’s a genuine challenge
No one ever said social care was going to be easy. Given that we are all complex individuals with different backgrounds, needs, wants, and demands, it’s safe to say applying one theory or model to all people isn’t going to work.
Therefore, always be prepared for varied and challenging situations. You may work with disabled children one day and financially restricted retirees the next. You’ll also handle cases where people may struggle with mental health issues or may have addiction problems.
Part of the challenge within social work is that the pathways to “success” aren’t always clear. Therefore, it’s important to work closely with your clients so you can understand their needs and what they define as a successful outcome.
If you love mentally stimulating work and solving problems, social work could be a surprisingly worthwhile career route for you to take.
It’s secure work
While social work is demanding, it’s also extremely secure. Given the sensitive nature of the work you’ll do and the effort you’ll need to exert to help the people assigned to you, you’re likely to be high in demand.
The US is still facing a shortage of social workers, which means that – provided you are willing to travel and work flexibly – you’ll have ample opportunity to find a role.
This is all the more reason to ensure you get an adequate education in social care before you start applying for roles. Educated and experienced social workers are in high demand for their fantastic interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
Just as working in a general healthcare environment is secure work since there will always be demand, people will always need social workers in their corner. Social care exists to ensure that those who are at unfair disadvantage get support and make the most out of their lives.
There are many opportunities
As mentioned, if you can travel, the world of social work is wide open to those with education and experience. However, did you know there are also multiple routes and roles you can take within social care, too?
Different career opportunities available for social workers help you find a niche for working with specific groups of people. For example, you may find you’d like to work in community outreach, where you work closely with local bodies to help improve the lives of many, not just the few.
You may also wish to work in school social care, where you can help children get the support they need from their earliest years. Beyond this, social workers even help families and couples experiencing crises and concerns that are difficult to manage independently.
If you can feasibly imagine a social or interpersonal situation where a social worker may be of assistance, there will likely be an opening for you somewhere.
It’s great for developing interpersonal skills
All good social workers possess fantastic interpersonal skills. These include the ability to show empathy and to actively listen, for example. While it’s important to possess these “power skills” ahead of applying for any roles, it’s just as vital to keep developing them while working.
For example, some interpersonal and communication skills – such as collaborating and innovating in teams – may not come easily to you at first. However, in some social care environments, you may need to adapt and grow quickly.
Social work gives you an amazing opportunity to grow as a person. You’ll learn more about how you can readily support people in your daily life as well as at work. Transferable skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and practicing empathy and kindness will serve you well in all walks of life, not just in the social care sphere.
It’s humanizing and empowering
Above all, social care puts you at the heart of people’s lives. When there is so much negativity in the world, pushed by biased press outlets and social media alike, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and maybe even lose faith in humanity.
Social work, however, helps you connect deeply with people one-on-one. You can work with people at a human level without bias or agenda. Social workers want their clients to achieve their goals, even when the odds are against them.
Social work is immensely empowering. Doing good for people who often can’t help themselves provides an incredible feeling of accomplishment, and it’s not selfishly motivated.
However, to really succeed as a social worker, you’ll need to make sure you dive deeply into education and put years of practice into your craft. Given the humanity factor, the job security, and the varied work available, it’s certainly worth getting involved.
