What can I do with a SOCIAL WORK degree?

What can I do with a SOCIAL WORK degree?

Public Welfare

Administration and Planning, Case Management, Policy Development Research, Program Evaluation, Program Management, Training

• Public welfare agencies• Private social service agencies• Local, state, and federal government,

including:o Department of Human Serviceso Department of Educationo Housing Serviceso Veterans Administrationo Indian Health Serviceso Job Corpso Head Starto State legislatures

Employers Description/Strategies

• Public welfare is designed to provideservices and support for people who are…impoverished, disabled, ill, elderly, or children.

• Volunteer at homeless shelters, soup kitchens,women’s shelters, literacy programs, or othersocial service agencies to get experience inyour area of interest to gain 1st handknowledge.

• Gain management experience throughinternships, part-time employment, orleadership in relevant student organizations.

• Attend public hearings, town halls, councilmeetings; get involved in local politics andadvocacy efforts.

Adapted from CSULB School of Social Work website: https://web.csulb.edu/colleges/chhs/departments/social-work/documents/SocialWorkDegree.pdf

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Public Safety

Counseling/Therapy, De-Incarceration programs / System Reform Initiatives, Prevention Service and Programs, Rehabilitation / Re-entry, Probation, Victim Assistance, Youth Services

• Prisons and correctional facilities• Courts• Police departments• Probation and parole offices• Victim services organizations• Private Treatment Facilities• Youth Services Organizations• Private, non-profit policy/advocacy

or community organization

Employers Description/Strategies• Social workers in corrections focus on

rehabilitation of clients. Social Workersmay also work outside the system,advocating for reform, facilitatingrestorative justice efforts and / orsupporting victims of crime.

• Obtain experience by volunteering at acorrection facility or victims’ program suchas a rape crisis center.

• Pay attention to laws/legislation to getinvolved in anti-incarceration campaignsand learn about Balanced and RestorativeJustice.



School Social Work

Case Management, Child Welfare and Attendance, Counseling, Instructional Support Assessment, Pupil Personnel Services, School Mental Health, Student Advocacy

• Public and private elementaryand secondary schools

• School districts• Head start centers• Early intervention programs• After-school / enrichment

programs

• School systems may employ social workersto help students cope with and resolveemotional, developmental, or educationaldifficulties.

• Gain experience with children at daycarecenters, after-school programs, camps, Boysand Girls Clubs, and the like.


Description/StrategiesEmployers


Research and Education

Advisement and Student Support, Grant Writing Supervision, Organizational/Practice improvement, Teaching

• Colleges and universities• Research institutes• Research hospitals• Local, state, and federal government• Advocacy organizations• Think Thanks• Philanthropic organizations• Large non-profit organizations


• Research provides data and statisticsimportant in program implementation andpolicy development.

• Doctor of Social Work (DSW) or Ph.D.usually required.

• Present at Student Research Day or atconferences.

• Gain experience working in a program anduse data to inform how well the program isworking.



Occupationial

Assessment, Counseling/Therapy, Education, Equity and Diversity, Fundraising, Human Resources, Organizational / Leadership Development, Research, Training, Wellness Promotion

• Larger corporations• Employee assistance programs

(EAP)• Labor unions• Local, state, and federal

government:o Department of Labor

Community agencies• Professional Membership

Organizations


• Occupational social workers help employees tobe more productive and satisfied.

• Gain experience in a university orcommunity career center while in school.

• Earn a relevant certification such asCertified Employee Assistance Professional orGlobal Career Development Facilitator.

• Participate in a leadership developmentprogram or post graduate fellowship and applywhat you are learning to your interests.



Healthcare

Administration, Case management, Child Life Specialists, Counseling/Therapy, Hospice Care, Prevention and Education, Program Development, Research, Rehabilitation, Wellness Promotion

• Hospitals• Community health centers• Outpatient clinics• Public health programs• Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)• Nursing homes• Group homes• Hospice• Veterans Administration hospitals• Home healthcare agencies


• Social workers in healthcare facilitatemedical and emotional treatment of patients.

• Choose volunteer settings such ashospitals, the American Red Cross, orcommunity health agencies to getexperience.

• Attend local support groups to understandthe impact of illness on the person, family,and other support systems.



Public Welfare

Administration and Planning, Case Management, Policy Development Research, Program Evaluation, Program Management, Training


• International Inter-GovernmentalOrganizations (IGOs) e.g. United NationsEconomic and Social Council and the WorldHealth Organization

• Federal government agencies with aninternational focus, e.g. Peace Corps andUnited States Agency for InternationalDevelopment (USAID)

• Country-based service agencies• International aid and relief organizations• Foundation programs• Nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations,

e.g. Vital Voices or Habitat for Humanity• Private voluntary organizations• Humanitarian organizations, e.g.

International Red Cross and CARE• Religious organizations, e.g. World Vision

Multi-national corporations

Employers Description/Strategies• Social workers in the international arena identify

social problems, make recommendations forsocial programs and implement change. Theywork on solutions to problems includingeducational, environmental, health, human rightsinjustices, business and agricultural.

• Learn one or more foreign languages.• Plan to study, volunteer, or intern abroad more

than one time if possible.• Join professional organizations such as National

Association of Social Workers (NASW) and thespecialty practice section of Social andEconomic Justice and Peace.

• Research the structure and function of theinternational organization/agency.

• Develop good working knowledge of internationalhumanitarian law.

• Learn about the requirements for becoming a U.S.Foreign Service Officer.


Community Organization

Advocacy, Politics, Development, Planning, Program and Community

• Advocacy organizations• Development corporations• Community centers• Local, state, and federal government• Political associations


• Social workers in this area work with existingorganizations to improve conditions forspecific groups, enhance quality of living, andinvolve community members in thepolitical process.

• Get involved with grassroots causes andcommunity agencies.

• Educate yourself on the issues that matter tothe groups who are impacted by them andlearn from their first-hand experiences.

• Learn about the people who make decisionsabout policies and practices and what shapestheir decisions.



Gerontology

Advocacy/Intervention, Case Management Programming, Counseling/Therapy, Public Policy Administration

• Hospitals• Nursing homes• Senior centers• Assisted/independent living centers• Hospice• Home healthcare agencies• Mental health centers• Employee assistance programs (EAP)• Larger corporations e.g. investment

firms, insurance companies


• Gerontology involves working with olderadults, healthy or ill, and their families.

• Get involved with programs or organizationsdesigned for senior citizens.

• Familiarize yourself with issues pertaining toelder justice and statutes that impact the rightsand benefits of older adults.

• Become a certified Long-term CareOmbudsman.



General Information and Strategies


• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) prepares individuals for entry-level direct practice.• Master of Social Work (MSW) is necessary to provide therapy and for advancement to supervisory or administrative positions.• Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) or Ph.D. usually required for positions in teaching, research, and administration. Advanced degrees

are desirable for some clinical positions and private practice.• Complete a degree from a college or university program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Programs include

practical field experience.• Most states require licensure, certification, or registration. Contact the state board directly or the American Association of State Social

Work Boards (ASWB) for information.• The National Association of Social Workers offers many specialized credentials that Social Workers can earn. Research these options

after choosing a specialty area.• The field practicum is used to determine suitability for this profession and to provide exposure to various practice settings and clients.• Candidates should possess empathy for others, an appreciation for diversity, and an interest in social change.• Social workers serve a range of client systems (individuals, families, groups, communities) as they attempt to enhance social

functioning.• Social work is unique given its dual focus on the person and the environment.• Join a social work organization while in school and seek leadership positions.• Look for ways to impact your community and get involved with local organizations and issues.• Update your resume as you acquire new accomplishments, skills, knowledge, and interests.• Learn a second language to better communicate with immigrant or migrant populations (particularly helpful in certain areas of the

United States).• Note: Much of this information was adapted from Choices: Careers in Social Work by the National Association of Social Workers.

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What can I do with a SOCIAL WORK degree?