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Articles of Interest:
Careers in Social Work
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) prepares individuals for entry-level direct practice.
- Most states require licensure, certification, or registration.
- Social workers serve a range of client systems (individuals, families, groups, communities) as they attempt to enhance social functioning.
| Areas |
Employers |
Descriptions/Strategies |
PUBLIC WELFARE
*Administration and Planning
*Case Management
*Program Evaluation
*Policy Setting
*Research |
*Public welfare agencies
*Private social service agencies |
*Public welfare is designed to provide services
and support for poor, disabled, ill, elderly, or
juvenile clients.
*Volunteer at homeless shelters, soup kitchens,
battered women homes, literacy programs, or
other social service agencies to get experience. |
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/CORRECTIONS
*Counseling/Therapy
*Rehabilitation
*Probation
*Parole
*Youth Services
*Victim Assistance |
*Prisons and correctional facilities
*Courts
*Police departments
*Probation offices
*Victim services organizations |
*Social workers in corrections focus on rehabilitation
of clients.
*Obtain experience by volunteering at a corrections
facility or victims program such as a rape crisis
center. |
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK
Clinical Social Work
Pupil Personnel Services
Student Advocacy
Instruction |
*Elementary and secondary schools
*School districts
*Head start centers
*Early intervention programs |
*School systems may employ social workers to
help students cope with and resolve
emotional, developmental, or educational
difficulties.
*Gain experience with children at daycare centers,
camps, or Scouts. |
CHILD WELFARE
Case Management
Advocacy
Intervention |
*Public and private child welfare agencies
*Adoption agencies
*Foster care organizations
*Child daycare |
*Child welfare social workers strive to ensure the
safety and well-being of children through
treatment of the whole family.
*Volunteer at daycares, child shelters, camps,
YMCA, Scouts, or other agencies that aid youth. |
GERONTOLOGY
*Advocacy/Intervention
Counseling
*Case Management
Programming
*Public Policy |
*Hospitals
*Nursing homes
*Senior centers
*Assisted living
*Hospice |
*Gerontology involves working with older adults,
healthy or ill, and their families.
*Get involved with programs or organizations designed
for senior citizens. |
CLINICAL
*Counseling
*Therapy |
*Family service agencies
*Child welfare departments
*Social service agencies
*State mental health departments
*Employee assistance programs
*Probation departments
*Public welfare agencies
*Public interest groups
*Local, state, and federal government |
*Administrators are involved with planning,
budgeting, public relations, marketing,
supervising, operations management, fund
raising, and other crucial responsibilities that
keep an organization functioning.
*Obtain an MSW and gain management experience. |
| Areas |
Employers |
Descriptions/Strategies |
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
Research
Teaching |
*Colleges and universities
*Research institutes
*Local, state and federal government
*Advocacy organizations |
*Research provides data and statistics important
in program implementation and policy
development.
*Doctor of Social Work (DSW) or Ph.D. usually
required. |
OCCUPATIONAL
*Counseling
*Education
*Wellness Promotion
*Employee Assistance
*Organizational Development
*Human Resources |
*Businesses
*Corporations
*Employee assistance programs
*Labor unions |
Occupational social workers help employees to
be more productive and satisfied. |
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
*Case Management
*Program Planning and Evaluation
*Research
*Policy Development |
*Community residential homes
*State and local agencies
*Medical facilities
*Schools |
*Social workers in this area help people with
disabilities to adjust and to lead productive
lives.
*Volunteer at special needs camps, daycares,
schools, or hospitals to gain experience. |
HEALTH CARE
*Case Management
*Counseling
*Program Development
*Administration
*Research |
*Hospitals
*Community health centers
*Outpatient clinics
*Public health programs
*Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
*Nursing homes
*Group homes
*Hospice
*Veterans Administration hospitals |
*Social workers in health care facilitate medical
and emotional treatment of patients.
*Choose volunteer settings such as hospitals, the
American Red Cross, or AIDS agencies to get
experience. |
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
*Program and Community Development
*Advocacy
*Politics
*Education
*Planning |
*Advocacy organizations
*Development corporations
*Community centers
*Local, state, and federal government
*Associations |
*Social workers in this area work with existing
organizations to improve conditions for
specific groups, enhance quality of living,
and involve community members in the
political process.
*Get involved with grassroots causes and
community agencies. |
Note: Much of this information was adapted from Choices: Careers in Social Work by the National Association of Social Workers.
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