In this assignment, I will be exploring the possibilities and expectations in my career in the Social Science field and how the topics I have learned in this class will prepare me for my future. When graduate, I plan on becoming a Social Worker and my goal is to graduate with both a bachelors and master’s degree from UMUC. I believe that I will enjoy this area of work because I really take pleasure in encouraging people to do well. There are several technological competencies needed for social work such as using science research to gather, arrange, and decipher client’s distinct situations. Consequently, having the ability to empathize enables better client understanding and builds trust. Therefore, possessing the ability to analyze a client gives Social workers that advantage to utilize critical thinking skills and cultural knowledge to relate to their clients. (CSW) Some opportunities that are available for social workers are positions that can either be in an office setting or in a client’s home. Some social workers participate in clinical psychotherapy with individuals, community organizing, education, public health, case management, or crisis intervention. However, not all social workers deal with individuals and spend their time doing research on how to solve social problems. (Bonnie Walker) The typical job duties or functions required of a social worker are abundant. Social workers help their clients overcome numerous situations, and then attend to additional necessities their clients may need, and assist them in order to improve their lives. Therefore, they generally identify people who need help, find out what type of help they need, then implement a plan for success, and ensure that their client’s progress is a... ... middle of paper ... ...become a licensed social worker. At that time I will look for work that allows me to function either in an office setting of my client’s homes to fulfill their needs. Works Cited Bonnie Walker. (n.d.). Social worker career. Retrieved from http://www.alliedhealthworld.com/social-worker-jobs.html CSW. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.usi.edu/libarts/socialwork/docs/Ten-Core-Competencies-current.pdf McKay, D. R. (2014). career Planning. Retrieved from About.com: http://careerplanning.about.com/od/socialworker/tp/How-To-Become-A-Social-Worker.htm Occupational outlook handbook. (2014). Retrieved from Bureau Of Labor Statics: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-2 What Skills Do I Need to Succeed in Social Work? (2014). Retrieved from College and degrees: http://www.collegesanddegrees.com/programs/social-work/skills
Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year. Retrieved from http://class.waldenu.edu.
I knew I loved to help others but it was not until I was an emerging adult that I knew what my calling was. My devotion to improve the quality of life for those who are disadvantaged is one of the reasons I have chosen to pursue a Master’s in Social Work. After obtaining my masters, I plan on diversifying my masters by getting licensed and becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I would like to study social work because I feel it will lead me directly to one of the most emotionally fulfilling careers available, as well as giving me the chance to combine helping people 's mental well being with their physical
To begin with, social work is a good “fit” for me because I can be a very understanding
Becoming a social worker is dependent on numerous factors, one of which being education. “A bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) degree is the most common minimum requirement to qualify for a job as a social worker, however, majors in psychology, sociology, and related fields may be sufficient to qualify for some entry-level job” (Chao & Orr, 162). Many people when pursuing the goals of being a social worker, however, are most interested in jobs in public agencies and/or having their own practices. “A master’s degree in social work (MSW) is necessary for positions in health and mental health settings and typically is required for certification for clinical work” (Chao & Orr, 162). One’s level of school is not the only thing employers are focusing on when looking to hire social workers. Along with one’s education, a social worker must have “a broad liberal arts base which includes a knowledge of the social sciences (sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, political science, and economics) to provide explanations about the nature of human society and the human condition” (Johnson, 48). There are many more skills that are just as essential, if not more beneficial, to the employer as well as client.
Perhaps one of the most versatile and diverse careers is social work, as this career works with individuals struggling with substance abuse, low-income families, and homeless individuals. Social work is a profession that is concerned with solving personal, group, and community relationships (Farley, Smith, & Boyle, 2011). Among some of the most important aspects of social work are the restoration of impaired social functioning, the provision of social services, and prevention (Farley et al., 2011). Reducing problems in human relationships and improving human interactions among individuals are the major focuses of this profession, regardless of which people group the social workers are serving (Farley et al., 2011). Even though it is a relatively new profession, social work has existed in various forms throughout history. However, the beginning of social work’s development as a profession was primarily European in origin, with the ideals spreading to the United States
Social work as a profession strives to help the welfare of those within the community whether its persons or families through advocacy. Often times clients are those who may be vulnerable and disadvantaged. Social workers aim to help people fulfill basic needs in their everyday lives and assist them by providing beneficial resources and intervention counseling. They do more than just help them in their current situation, it’s about helping them to survive and set attainable goals to live a fuller and better life for themselves, and most time for their families.
It focuses on the social workers knowledge of resources, and interventions available both private, and in the community. It involves good verbal and listening skills. It further involves the social workers ability to make appropriate evaluations, assessments, effective referrals, and terminations. It involves counseling clients to recognize their strengths and weaknesses and to identify problems, and to set attainable goals. It further involves helping clients to be receptive to solutions through linking clients with necessary support whether in the community, or private. . Social Workers wear many hats involving client and families, and
The basis of this assignment was to create a further and more in depth understanding of my chosen field, social work. Social workers aid and support individuals, groups, and communities through difficult times and ensure that vulnerable people are safeguarded from harm. Without them our nation would not have the proper support to establish order and relations in society. I explored the numerous types of social working jobs, ranging from Child, Family, and School social workers, Mental Health and Substance Abuse social workers, to social workers in Administration, Policy, and Research. I provided all of the educational requirements necessary to become a social worker, along with the benefits of acquiring a higher degree. In addition, I included the average salary of an entry level social worker and the average salary for a social worker with a Master’s degree or other professional licensure. I provided all essential information one would need to know before entering the field of social work. For example, what the job requires beyond what you can learn in a classroom. Patience, understanding and empathy are a few of the many imperative personality traits a social work must possess. Along with the facts and statistics I incorporated into my paper, I also included a personal section explaining why I chose to enter this field.
As in most jobs, I will the lowest social worker on the totem pole when I first begin a career as a mental health social work. However, I want to gain the experience and knowledge, for any opportunities for advancement that will arise throughout my career. Many management and supervisory positions will become available and I want to ensure that I get the knowledge and experience to obtain that advancement. Therefore, I will like to be began working toward gaining the necessary experience and education that can help you advance toward this career goal.
I first became interested in human services when I was introduced to the community coordinator of George Washington community high school. I first met Ann Kreicker during my junior year of high school. She would come to our class and tell us to make sure we fill out our scholarships on time, file our FAFSA on time and to make sure we have so many volunteer hours in to qualify for the assistance we may need in school. I am hoping that with this career I will be given the opportunity to provide the assistance to others that I was provided in school. I will enjoy being able to help provide assistance to others in need and help them get to assistance they need. It is very important to understand what the client is in need of so there is a better understanding of what they need. The outlook on social and human
Many things can influence a social workers’ practice, for better or worse. Familiarity, classwork, personal experience, and types of internships can all influence the way in which a counselor views their work. These experiences also help shape our choices regarding practice theory. The various theories that social workers employ are influenced by other professions such as: medicine, psychology, sociology, and even economics (Green & McDermott, 2010). It is not necessarily what theory is chosen, but that a practitioner makes a choice to follow the general tenets of a theory and lets it inform their work. By grounding their practice in theory, social workers can better understand the work at hand, carefully consider goal setting, and anticipate
For years, when I thought of Social Workers, I imagined a person coming into a client’s home and taking their kids away for neglect. Later, I found out that social workers could go into so many dimensions, such as clinical social workers, case mangers, and even administrative positions in agency settings. Furthermore, I realized that I was maturing into an adult. For example, when I began telling people of my decisions to become a social worker, a lot ...
The social work profession is defined as “a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people (ISFW, ‘Global Definition of Social Work’, 2016).” The definition may be true about the profession but it is more in depth than just that. To me, the profession’s primary focus is to help others through life as much as we can while letting them make their own choices and guiding them. In society, social workers are utilized in many different nonprofit and government roles. They serve the community in many different ways from monitoring parent visits to helping people through mental illnesses. Human beings are so complex and things that happen
families, and communities to enhance their individual and collective well-being. Social workers are change agents and because of that, they aim to help people develop their skills and abilities to use resources provided to them to strengthen and improve their lives and communities to resolve problems. One of the main goal of social workers is to improve the well-being and lives of the most vulnerable populations, fight against poverty, unemployment, domestic violence and the underserviced population by emphasizing on the person-in-environment and social justice model. The social work profession, considerers the individuals’ internal and external struggles, while working with the individuals to examine their relationships, family, work environment, community, and other things that might impact them and identify ways to help address problems and challenges.
The social work profession at the simplest level, is providing service and achieving social justice for our community. There are various ways in which social workers can do this, ranging from simply providing necessary support to getting children out of dangerous situations. I always knew that my calling was to help and advocate for populations in my community that were vulnerable and often forgotten.