Your Complete Guide to Becoming a Social Worker

Education | September 15, 2020, Tuesday // 13:31|  views

Social work is a diverse and dynamic field that can offer a fulfilling career path for many people. One of the major benefits of becoming a social worker is that you will have the chance to help people with their problems and make a positive difference. On top of this, you will enjoy great job security and plenty of career advancement opportunities due to growth in the industry. Becoming a qualified social worker takes time, and you will need to develop the skills and expertise required to be successful in the field. If you’re considering joining the exciting world of social work, then here’s your complete guide to becoming a social worker.

Learn about the job role

If you’re thinking of pursuing a career as a social worker, then you should start by learning about the job role. You must have a clear understanding of what a career in social work would be like. This will help you decide whether training to become a social worker is the right option for you. Often, people want a job in social work because they have a passion for helping others and want to make a positive impact. While this is one aspect of the job role, you must also acknowledge that you will face some challenges and high-pressure situations. For instance, you may be required to respond to distressing situations such as child abuse or deal with people who are angry or frustrated. You must be able to stay calm and have thick skin to avoid becoming upset when faced with difficult or uncomfortable situations. You will also be required to multitask and maintain clear communication with various organizations, including healthcare professionals, child services, and the police. On top of this, you must have strong administrative skills and be able to keep clear, accurate records. You can learn more about the day to day role of a social worker by visiting career sites like thebalancecareers.com.

Earn a bachelor’s degree

To become a qualified social worker, you must typically earn a bachelor’s degree in social work or a relevant subject like psychology. The program must be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). A bachelor’s degree in social work typically takes four years to complete when studying full time, according to advice on degreequery.com. You can also choose to study a social worker degree on a part-time basis, although this may take you several years to complete. Your social work degree will involve a combination of classroom learning, assessments, and work placements in a clinical setting. Placements will give you the chance to gain first-hand experience of the social work industry and apply your learning to a professional environment. Keep in mind that most social workers go on to complete advanced qualifications such as an MSW. Gaining an MSW is an excellent way to boost your future job prospects, increase your average salary, and gain a competitive edge in the field of social work. It typically takes around two years of full-time study to earn an MSW.

Build work experience

As mentioned, placements as a big part of training to become a social worker. You will be required to complete multiple professional placements while studying for your bachelor’s degree in social work. This will allow you to apply your theory and build your professional experience. You can also use placements as a way to make valuable connections with people in the industry. Many students secure their first social worker position as a result of a successful placement or connection made during an internship. With that in mind, you should try to apply for as many work experience opportunities as possible. Volunteering is one of the most effective ways to gain hands-on experience in social work. Volunteer work can also be an excellent way for prospective MSW students to broaden their existing knowledge and experience. The Social Work License Map advises that social work students can approach the following organizations to search for volunteering opportunities - “Child welfare charities like Big Brother Big Sisters, hospices, mental health treatment centers, and community outreach centers like the YMCA.” Make sure that you are proactive when it comes to gaining work experience. Keep in mind that the top placements are likely to be filled months in advance, so it’s in your interest to make applications as early as possible.

Apply for licensure

Once you have completed a bachelor’s degree in social work, you will usually need to apply for state licensure. You must pass an examination before you can do this. The requirements of licensure vary between states, so you must do some research to find out what actions you must complete. The main purpose of licensure is to verify that a social worker has the necessary skills and expertise to be an effective social worker. Licensure is not required in every state, although you may struggle to find employment if you fail to get licensure, particularly if you want to work in a specialist field like clinical social work. You can visit mswguide.org for information on the type of licensures required in each state.

Choose a specialism

Qualified social workers can choose to specialize in various areas of social work. Choosing a specialism with allow you to enhance your skills and focus your time and efforts on an area that you’re passionate about. Career research and work placements can help you decide which field of social work will best suit your skills and interests. Here are some of the fields of social work that you could choose to specialize in.

  • Child and family - Child and family social workers are responsible for supporting vulnerable children and families. They work with families to help create a safe and nurturing home environment. In some circumstances, social workers must intervene and remove children from their family homes to keep them safe, i.e. if they have suffered neglect or abuse.

  • Elderly - Elderly social workers support seniors and connect them with services to help them maintain their independence and improve their quality of life.

  • Community - Community social workers assist with various community initiatives and help local programs gain necessary resources, including funding.

  • Criminal Justice - Social workers in the field of criminal justice support people in the justice system. This includes people on trial, convicted criminals, and victims of crime.

  • Mental health - Mental health social workers provide valuable mental health services and support people with a variety of medical conditions, including depression and substance abuse. If you plan on working in a clinical setting, then you will most likely require an advanced social work qualification such as an MSW.

Gain advanced qualifications

As stated above, to qualify as a social worker, you must typically earn a bachelor’s degree in social work and then pass an exam to become licensed in the state where you want to practice. These are the minimum requirements to become a professional social worker. However, many social workers go on to earn additional qualifications, such as an MSW. An MSW is designed to prepare social workers for senior roles and teach them advanced social care skills. One of the main advantages of an MSW is that you have the option to study for the qualification online. There is a fantastic selection of schools and colleges offering online MSW programs that can be completed remotely. This style of flexible learning means that any social worker has the option to enhance their skills and boost their career prospects with advanced qualifications like an MSW. Online learning is especially convenient if you are already employed as a social worker or have other commitments that would prevent you from enrolling in a traditional MSW course.

Build your professional network

Professional networking is extremely important within the social work sector. You should try to build your professional network as early as possible. Ideally, you should start growing your network while you are studying. You can build meaningful connections with people in the field by attending social work events or joining a professional association. For instance, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the biggest organization of professional social workers in the world. The organization connects social workers and hosts various mixers and social events to bring professionals together. Joining a professional association like NASW can be an excellent way to build your professional network and get involved with activities in the field of social work. You should also focus on growing your network using online platforms. You can use social channels like LinkedIn to reach out to people in the industry and develop meaningful connections. Try to connect with influential professionals in your desired field, i.e. social workers with an MSW or a PhD in social work. Platforms like LinkedIn can also be a great way to search for job opportunities online.

Write a top-quality resume

Once you have earned the necessary qualifications and gained licensure, you will need to start applying for entry-level social work positions. To be considered for the best roles, you must write a top-quality resume that will set you apart from your peers. Research shows that recruiters spend an average of just seven seconds reading resumes. This means that you don’t have long to make a good first impression. Your resume is your most valuable tool when searching for a job role. You are unlikely to ever make it through to the interview stage if your resume is lacking in detail or poor quality. Your resume should be detailed without being too wordy or long. Make sure that you focus on key aspects of social work, including your ability to maintain strong relationships, your report writing skills, and your teamwork capabilities. Try to provide real examples to support your skills and achievements. You should also outline any relevant qualifications, such as your social work degree and an MSW. Highlight advanced qualification like an MSW to demonstrate your higher skill set and knowledge. You can find a massive selection of free social work resume templates online that can help you write a standout resume. You should always proofread your resume several times to check for spelling mistakes or grammatical errors.

Look after your health and wellbeing

Social workers spend a lot of time helping people with their problems and providing support. The role is rewarding, but it can also be extremely demanding. Too much stress can cause various health issues, including mental health disorders and heart disease. As a social worker, you may also be required to work irregular and unsocial working hours, including evenings and weekends. You must be aware of the risks of burnout and place a special focus on your health and wellbeing. Try to keep your work and personal time separate and avoid letting your work take over your life. It may be necessary to work outside of your normal hours on occasion, i.e. if you have to respond to a crisis. However, you shouldn’t let this become a regular occurrence. Make the time to socialize with your family and friends and enjoy activities outside of the workplace. You should also try to follow an active lifestyle, get the recommended amount of exercise, and eat a balanced diet that will support good overall health. If you are studying for an advanced qualification like an MSW alongside full-time employment, then it’s especially important to look after your health and maintain a work-life balance.

Summary

There are dozens of reasons to consider a career in social work. Becoming a social worker can be extremely rewarding and give you the chance to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Some additional benefits of being employed in social work include high job satisfaction, excellent job security, and career advancement. Training to become a qualified social worker takes time and dedication, so you must do your research and make sure that it is a suitable career path for you. If you’ve decided that you want to pursue a career as a social worker, then use the above guide to help you secure your dream role.

 

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