About Social Workers

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Description
Helps people with a wide range of problems. Talks with people to understand their problems, plans ways to help them, and provides information and referral services. Helps individuals and families cope with mental illness and problems such as inadequate housing, unemployment, lack of job skills, financial troubles, serious illness, disability, substance abuse, unwanted pregnancy, or antisocial behavior. Also works with families who have serious conflicts, including child or spousal abuse. Advises on child care and places children in foster homes. Plans activities and services for children, teenagers, adults, and older persons. May review eligibility requirements, fill out forms and applications, arrange for services, visit clients on a regular basis, and provide support during crises. Often specializes in a clinical field, such as welfare and family services, mental health, or school social work.

More Info

National Association of Social Workers
IC-Career Information
750 First St. NE, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20002-4241

Transferable Work Content Skills

  • Counseling and advising people
  • Providing social services
  • Interpreting social science data
  • Planning and giving information and help
  • Preparing case reports
  • Operating computers to record and analyze social science data

Education

A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for most positions. Besides the bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW), undergraduate majors in psychology, sociology, and related fields satisfy hiring requirements in some agencies, especially small communities agencies. A master’s degree in social work (MSW) is generally required for positions in the health and mental health settings and is almost always necessary for the supervisory, administrative, or research positions. Jobs in public agencies may also require an MSW. A doctorate in social work usually is required for teaching and for some research and administrative jobs. 

Worker Trait Group

Social Services help people, either one at a time or in groups. Workers in this group help people solve both day-to-day and special problems. These problems may be related to a person’s social, personal, vocational, educational, or religious development.

Earnings

As of 1997 in ths US, the middle 50% of all workers earn between $20,800 and $39,000.

The median earnings of social workers with MSW degrees were $30,000 in 1993, according to a membership survey of the National Association of Social Workers. For those with BSW degrees, median earnings were between $17, 500 and $20,000.

Specialties

  • Case Worker-Counsels and aids individuals and families requiring assistance of the social service agency.
  • Social Group Worker-Develops program content, organizes, and leads activities planned to enhance social development of individual members and accomplishment of group goals.
  • Social Worker, Delinquency Prevention-Works through community action programs to ameliorte social conditions tending to cause juvenile delinquency and provides counseling and guidance to juveniles.
  • Casework Supervisor-Supervises and coordinates activities of social-service-agency staff and volunteers, and students of the school of social work.
  • Community Organization Worker-Plans, organizes, and coordinates programs with agencies and groups concerned with social problems of the community.
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