Social Work in Action: Impactful Stories From the Field
Those searching for a rewarding career in which they can do life-changing work on a daily basis should set their sights on the field of social work. Defined as a practice-based profession that focuses on helping people function as best as possible in every aspect of their lives, social work is a broad field with ample opportunities to specialize.
What Is the Role of a Social Worker?
A social worker's role is to connect with those in need and provide them with the services and resources they require to live a fulfilling life. The daily life of a social worker will vary significantly based on the type of social work they specialize in.
According to the Council on Social Work Education, all social workers, regardless of their specialty, work to promote social welfare, assist people working through challenges and advocate for improved social and economic justice in their community.
Crucial Skills for Effective Social Work
Compared to other careers, social workers require more interpersonal skills than other professionals — and they have to be able to effortlessly complement those soft skills with the technical, industry-specific skills required by their positions.
According to Indeed, some of the most critical skills that social workers need to acquire and hone throughout their careers include:
- Active Listening — Social workers, at their core, are advocates, which means they have to stand up for the needs of others. You can only advocate for others by truly understanding and listening to their wants and needs. When working with their clients, social workers must be present, focused and attentive at all times.
- Cultural Competency — Defined as the ability to be respectful and aware of cultural differences, particularly among traditionally underrepresented groups, cultural competency allows social workers to better advocate for the unique needs of their clients.
- Empathy — Empathy and understanding can go a long way in social work, particularly as social workers strive to provide their clients with the resources they need to cope with the challenges they are facing at that time.
Social workers must also be detail-oriented, organized professionals skilled at documenting their cases and following up when required. In addition, social workers must be able to protect their mental health and set safe boundaries for themselves as professionals. The life of a social worker can be stressful and overwhelming, especially when you are consumed by the challenges and needs of others every day. It's imperative that you set your boundaries and strike a balance that allows you to live a healthy and fulfilling life.
Exploring the Varied Duties of a Social Worker
Social workers may be required to complete a wide variety of daily duties. The exact responsibilities of a social worker will depend on their chosen specialization. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some of the common job duties of a social worker include:
- Assessing the clients' individual needs and developing a plan to address those needs.
- Connecting clients with community resources that can assist them.
- Providing clients with support and assistance as they adjust to major life changes, such as a serious diagnosis, a recovery after an accident or a challenging divorce.
- Maintaining accurate and detailed case files for all clients.
- Responding in a crisis, such as when a child has been found in a dangerous environment.
The Transformative Power of Social Work
By focusing on advocacy and equitable access, social workers truly have the power to change lives. Few other professions focus solely on improving the lives of others and ensuring that they have the resources they need to survive and thrive.
How Social Workers Empower Communities
Social workers can directly impact the communities they serve by providing their clients with the additional services and support that they need and by helping them to build a foundation upon which they can better themselves.
According to the National Association of Social Workers, social workers improve their communities by:
- Working directly with a specific population that requires additional support.
- Helping members of the community become aware of the services and resources that can be found in the local area.
- Collaborating with other community leaders and government officials to create new and innovative support systems.
- Providing counsel and simply being available to those going through a challenging time.
In many ways, social workers are the threads that hold the community fabric together — often weaving together a network of support to help an individual feel like a more valuable member of the larger community.
Diverse Specializations in Social Work
Perhaps one of the most appealing facets of the social work field is that there are many specializations and niche areas of practice to pursue. According to the National Association of Social Workers, the various types of social work include:
- Administrative Social Work — These social workers often complete research and work with private agencies to develop social work policies.
- Advocacy Social Work — These social workers focus primarily on community organizing to advocate for additional needs and resources for underrepresented groups.
- Aging Social Work — Social workers within this specialization often work with elderly clients to ensure they have the resources they need for their physical and mental health. They also work to protect aging clients and make sure that they are not being taken advantage of.
- Child Welfare — Social workers who work in child welfare often work with child protective services and other government agencies to ensure that their clients are in a safe and loving environment.
- Healthcare — Health care social workers collaborate with medical professionals to ensure patients receive the comprehensive care and services they need. They may work with individuals who have developmental disabilities, who are recovering from a severe injury or illness, or who have recently received a life-altering diagnosis.
- Clinical Social Work — Clinical social workers primarily focus on the mental health needs of their clients. This can include helping clients with anxiety, depression or substance abuse disorders.
- School — School social workers often work in a school building and serve the needs of students in that community. They often go above and beyond to ensure students have access to the community resources they need.
Opportunities for Growth in the Field of Social Work
Within the field of social work, there are opportunities for career advancement. Generally, most social workers begin their careers by obtaining entry-level positions after earning a bachelor's degree. Those wanting to move into private practice or clinical social work will pursue a master's degree. Many social workers find that a graduate degree allows them to explore additional, advanced opportunities in the field.
What Makes Social Work a Rewarding Career?
Social work is often described as one of the most powerful experiences, largely because those in the profession can see the direct impact that they are having on their clients. Social workers have the privilege of connecting with people going through difficult trials in their lives and providing them with the additional care and support they need. Most who enter the profession find these connections–and the results they see—to be incredibly rewarding both personally and professionally.
The Flexibility and Unpredictability of Social Work
In the life of a social worker, no two days are the same. One of the biggest advantages of working in this field is that you will enjoy a flexible and versatile work environment in which you constantly meet new people and discover life-changing opportunities that can benefit your clients.
Real-Life Stories of Impactful Social Work
These anecdotes will shed light on what it's like to spend your days as a social worker:
Story 1: Veterans Helping Veterans: One Social Worker’s Approach to the Field
In a story detailed by Social Work Today, one social worker had been pursuing his master's degree in social work when he was called to serve in Iraq. After serving his tour of duty, he came home inspired to connect with veterans and provide them with the compassionate care they required. Recognizing that many veterans required help with housing, he started a non-profit foundation to provide veterans with the stable and comfortable homes they needed.
Story 2: Forging Connections in Real and Actionable Ways: How a Social Worker Changed the Life of a Child
Many social workers specializing in child health and welfare work within the foster care system. Some of these social workers regularly witness heart-wrenching moments. In a story published in Foster Focus Magazine, one social worker made it her mission to connect with a child in the foster care system. The child was managing a mental health disorder and working through grief. She established trust and camaraderie with this child by spending one-on-one time with him and actively working to find him an adoptive family that would meet his complex needs.
How Can One Forge a Meaningful Career in Social Work?
A meaningful career in social work begins with a passion for people and an understanding approach to human behavior. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most entry-level positions in the social work field require candidates to have a bachelor's degree in social work, so an undergraduate education is necessary for those who want to carve out their social work career path.
Begin Your Life as a Social Worker at The University of Memphis Global
Your career in social work begins with a world-class education. At UofM Global, we offer both a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and a Master of Social Work program, allowing aspiring social workers to develop the foundational understanding and advanced competencies needed to thrive in this dynamic field.
Request more information about our social work degree programs today.
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