A Social Work Career is Perfect for Those That Want to Create Equity and Support Their Communities
Built on a foundation of compassion and understanding, a career in social work allows endless opportunities to solve problems using social justice and conscientious advocacy.
There are many different types of social workers, so finding a specialty that suits you can put you on the path to making a difference in people’s lives.
The definition of social work is as varied as the people social workers help. If that sounds up your alley, read on to learn more about a career in social work.
What is a Social Worker?
Social workers — whether as licensed clinical social workers, case managers, or counselors — are helpers and advocates for people in need.
Jobs in social work involve assisting those who lack essential services — food security, mental healthcare, education, and more — by guiding them through the process of accessing organizations that meet those needs.
A career in social work is multifaceted and social workers frequently make use of governmental and nonprofit institutions to work toward their client’s need for safety and security.
Above all, social workers are champions of social justice and believe that everyone deserves the right to be happy, healthy, and housed.
What Does a Social Worker Do?
Social workers have a diverse set of skills when it comes to championing their clients. Some (though far from all) of the responsibilities of a social worker include:
-
Observing behavior. Much of social work is based on establishing what exactly clients need in order to be successful. One-on-one, at home, or in a group setting, social workers can determine what those needs are through careful observation and conversation.
-
Coordinating housing. Whether currently unhoused or experiencing temporary housing, many social workers help people find permanent living accommodations.
-
Supporting life changes. A large life change can be a big stressor, and social workers can help those experiencing change navigate that transition. Everything from having a child to immigration to reentering civilian life after incarceration can be made easier with the help of social workers.
-
Legal advising. While not allowed to give legal counsel, social workers can point their clients toward organizations that can provide free or low-cost legal representation.
Who Do Social Workers Help?
Social workers strive to help anyone in need, regardless of gender, race, nationality, or sexual orientation.
However, due to certain socio-economic and cultural factors, specific groups of people benefit greatly from the presence of social workers in their community. Some of those groups include:
-
The elderly. Helping aging populations with technology, healthcare, and housing access is a huge part of social work, especially when combined with accompanying occupational therapy resources.
-
People with disabilities. Often discriminated against, disabled persons can gain access to in-home help for independence-building resources through social workers.
-
Low-income families. Child welfare, access to education, and food security are all issues that can be addressed by access to a social worker.
-
Immigrants. Whether new to the country or long-time residents, helping immigrants through the legal pathways to employment, housing, and citizenship is a popular specialization for social workers.
-
LGBTQ+ individuals. Recent waves of anti-queer legislation have made social workers working within this population more vital than ever.
-
Veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is the largest single employer of social workers in the country. VA social workers are embedded within most VA departments and help veterans and their families access primary care, mental healthcare, community living centers, and more.
What is the Difference Between Micro, Mezzo and Macro Social Work?
The versatile nature of a degree in social work means that you can work in your community or abroad at various levels, helping people in different ways.
Like their domestic counterparts, international social work careers can be split into three interconnected categories.
What is micro social work? The profession at its most intimate, micro social work involves direct interaction with people in a one-on-one or small group setting and frequently addresses individual problems.
What is mezzo social work? Community-minded, mezzo social work features social workers working to enact social change within larger systems, such as neighborhoods, schools and other organizations.
What is macro social work? Working to steer policy and combat systemic injustice, macro social work enables social workers to influence nation-wide programs geared toward social justice.
Throughout your international social work career it is possible to move between these three levels, changing focus depending on who you want to help and how.