If you enjoy giving back to your community and making a difference in people’s lives, social work may be the ideal career for you. But before you make a final decision, consider these factors to determine whether social work is the path for you. Instead of writing an angry email you can take social work as your career.
For many people, it’s not just about which career will bring them happiness on a day-to-day basis. It’s also about helping people and making a real difference in their lives. So if social service is one of your priorities when considering careers, read on to see if this profession might be right for you!
- You Like A Hands-On Experience
There is a lot of pride that comes with being a social worker, and people often talk about how nice it is to be able to serve others. Whether you’re involved on an individual level or work as a team member, you’ll want to be satisfied with your career choice. But your career is not the only area that will provide you a hands-on experience. Social work education often involves fieldwork and practical skills as part of the course. And it doesn’t end with a bachelor’s degree. You can go even further and continue your education alongside a job by opting to earn your msw online, which means that you’ll be working in the field through both your job and education.
- You’re Good With People
Social workers must have good communication skills and the ability to empathize, whether they are working face-to-face with clients or in the workplace. They must be able to communicate effectively with superiors and co-workers and handle conflict to provide care and support to those who need it. You’ll need to be able to put yourself in their position and see things from their point of view. Social workers need to be good at listening and making themselves available when clients or others want or need support.
- You’re Passionate About Justice
When people come to you for help, they want to feel like they’re being treated fairly and with respect. They also expect you to provide the best service possible. Your clients need to know that you are listening, making them feel like they’re getting the care they deserve. You can’t let them down by not providing them with quality service when they need it the most. So, if you find yourself looking at the world and wishing you could directly right all the wrongs, then you might just be made for social work.
- You’re Patient
Before you get too involved with a client, you must be able to put aside your personal feelings and learn how they see their situation. You need to understand how they’d like to be treated, how they think their life should be going and what makes them happiest. Getting the best results can sometimes mean waiting longer than you’re used to, but it’s crucial showing that you are willing to go the extra mile and truly care about what your client needs.
- You’re Driven
As a social worker, you’ll spend a lot of time at work on the phone or in meetings and at various events around town. You may find yourself traveling for official duties as well. When you get home, you’ll be up to all hours of the night thinking about the next day’s challenges. If you want to succeed in this field, it requires a lot of determination and hard work. If you have a lot of energy and focus, then you may do well in this career. You should also be able to handle stress well and be able to juggle various priorities at once.
- You’re Sensitive
One of the main reasons social workers are involved with clients is to help improve their lives. The work is never easy, and you may be forced to watch cruel or abusive actions from others. The need to help people throughout their life, whether they are children or adults, can make you very sensitive, but you need to be able to work through your own emotions and stay focused while being empathetic towards your clients’ needs and positions to truly help them. Are you up for the challenge?
- You’re Open-Minded
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to social work. You’ll have to be comfortable with almost different kinds of clients: those with different cultures and backgrounds, those who are children and adults (even the elderly), those who seem to have no problems whatsoever, those who need immediate assistance or assistance for years, etc. You may even find that some clients don’t want to follow a traditional pathway for help. As you get more experienced, you will learn how best to help clients actively seek their own goals and dreams rather than following a set path.
- You Thrive During One-on-One Interactions
Social workers will often face several situations that require one-on-one interaction with others. You’ll need to be able to work with people intelligently and effectively, whether you are meeting face-to-face with your own clients or working on a team with other social workers. You’ll need to be looking out for their best interest while also considering those of your agency. Depending on the position you choose, you may find yourself using more formal approaches when interacting with co-workers or clients. You must adapt to each person—the minor being groomed, the recently orphaned child, the man with emotional trauma, the individual suffering because of their gender identity—all require different approaches, and intelligent interactions in these cases are essential.
If you find yourself relating to these points, then congratulations! You’re already a social worker in the making. Now, it’s time to take the next step and gear yourself towards earning the credentials that will allow you to fully chase after your calling and make a difference in the world that you’ve been yearning for.
