Social work has become a reasonably attractive profession since the last decade. Elderly, children, and mentally challenged were the only people dependent on their performance, but that circle has enlarged. These individuals are also a ray of hope for the abused people and minorities by the hands of society. That is why people who can sympathize and address the pain and suffering of others are readily considering this career opportunity.
Additionally, there are several other benefits that a person enjoys by joining this line of work. You can work on developing a diverse skill set, improve your communication, and gain the satisfaction of comforting other people. There’s also a sense of nobility associated with this job. You get the respect and attention of people, and can easily find yourself in a leading role for groups seeking social assistance.
Unfortunately, because the dynamics of this profession are unlike working in a business setup or medicine, it is not as famous as those options. Institutions also falter in playing their role to spread awareness about such an area of work. That is often the reason that students fail to consider it as a potential career pathway and explore their options.
For everyone falling in this category, you need to realize that it is a full-fledged profession. You can even get a formal education to tailor your skills according to the criteria. Getting a degree of masters in social work online is one of the most pursued ideas by the candidates who prefer acquiring more education to serve society better. Since it’s a distinct course that focuses on several areas, you can expect to use the gains from it in different capacities. Plus, it makes you qualified to operate in all roles and positions. Thus, making you an adequate fit for the job.
As far as the possible career choices are concerned, here are some of your potential options to help make up your mind. They should enable you to make a well-informed and conscious decision from the complete range of possibilities instead of hand-picking from a few.
- CHILDREN & ELDERLY WELFARE
The most vulnerable stages of life are your childhood and your days as an elderly. They are when you are most frail and weak to take care of yourself and need to depend on others. Also, adults often face mental issues like depression from spending too much time alone.
Social workers can help in this regard and change their outlook on life. Similarly, they can leave their mark by transforming the life of a young one with excess care and support. Thus, working for welfare is an excellent career choice.
- MENTAL & SUBSTANCE ABUSE SOCIAL WORKER
The atrocities that we face in our lives can have a striking impact. They can scar us for eternity and would make it hard to survive like a regular member of society. Mental and substance abuse that we face at home, workplaces, or outside can have that effect.
These social workers can help recalibrate their lives and restore their balance. They achieve this by reconnecting with healthy ways of living and reviving their trust in humanity. It gives them a new chance at life and makes it possible for them to lead a healthy life.
- MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER
You can choose to extend your social work activities to the field of healthcare by becoming a medical social worker. While serving in this capacity, you will be shouldering responsibilities like patient interactions, entry and discharge, standard patient care activities, and after-care precautions and practices.
You can also offer support for psychological evaluations and present doctors with relevant information and valuable insight into cases. Plus, medical social workers can also testify and assist in dealing with the affairs of the law related to these patients.
- SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Research is also a significant area of work for future generations. Social workers can serve in this capacity by becoming a social science research assistant. You can work with collecting biostatistics and help with health quality control, obtain breakthrough research findings, perform efficient lab analysis, and work on data management.
Their roles in this profession can be crucial, considering its impact on the field of medicine. Dependent on the quality of their work, they can enhance and save lives and make a difference in society.
- HEALTH EDUCATOR
The best way of adapting to solutions or proposing is by discussing the problems openly and educating people about it. A health educator plays a vital role in achieving this goal and informing every one of the right practices. They can save young individuals from falling victim to any malicious activities and put a stop to the spreading evil of society.
Also, you can expect to influence mindsets for good and improve the overall conduct of people towards fellow human beings. It involves educating them on subjects like compassion and empathy and urging them to practice it in every walk of life. That makes it a rather critical role to consider for the greater good.
- COMMUNITY SERVICE MANAGER
The role of social workers is not only limited to an individual but extends to the entire family that is suffering from a crisis. Examples of this situation could be an accident that has a substantial impact on them or an incident that involves all of them, like a divorce.
In cases like these, a community service manager can offer their services and help bridge this gap. They can counsel them, help them adapt, and develop an understanding of a typical life despite what they faced. Their stance can be heroic under these circumstances. Plus, this is one of the high-end professions to consider in social work.
- HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATOR
Yes, you might never get to know this, but a social worker obtains all the necessary skills and support to fit the mold of a healthcare administrator. They can communicate efficiently and handle large groups without flinching in an unexpected situation. Plus, their job already equips them with the right set of values and etiquettes that you might need to serve in this capacity.
Besides that, they are also competent to lead any medical facility like a successful business. That makes them a remarkable match and can lead to a mutual benefit of the employee and the employer. And it is also something that pays substantially well and can get you set for a bright future, so you should consider it seriously.
SUMMARY
These are some of the best career opportunities that you get while signing up for the life of a social worker in 2020. There are several other options to consider, but these make top the list for a promising professional experience. Be sure to look more into this subject, and pursue adequate qualifications to get you set for a rewarding future.