Are you interested in starting a career working as a Social worker? Then proceed to this post to find details on becoming a social worker, for I will address the essential information about becoming a social worker.
Social workers can work in many industries/Institutions like Hospitals, Schools, etc., but despite their versatility, they are undervalued and underappreciated professionals.
Though they are not well appreciated, they are still one of the most in-demand jobs in different countries, just like in the United Kingdom, and just as in this post; it is also one of the most in-demand jobs in the United States.
Considering that they are handy to society, helping the community, such as assisting students in school with things like mental health, in medical institutes assisting patients with mental illness, and most significantly providing emotional support and counselling for patients by developing personalized plans for individual patient care.
To become social, you must ensure they meet the required qualifications to avoid any form of disqualification or disappointment.
Proceed into the post to get acquainted with the necessary information.
Table of Contents
Job Description
Social workers are professionals who aim to enhance overall well-being and help meet the basic and complex needs of communities and people. Social workers work with many different populations and types of people, mainly focusing on those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.
Depending on their speciality, job title, and place of employment, a social worker may be required to participate in legislative processes that often result in forming social policies. They lean on social work values and principles and academic research to carry out their work.
And is essential for social workers always to be active listeners when evaluating the patients and observe their actions and overall body language. Social workers specialize in different fields, including children, families, schools, drug addiction patients, and the public health/ medical sector.
A key to succeeding in this role is staying calm and empathizing with the clients when they are upset. As a good social worker, one should also be aware of others’ (Clients/Patients) reactions and understand why they react as they do. They also work closely with healthcare professionals, Law Enforcement Officers, School Counselors, and Probation Officers to relay information about their clients and their progress.
Their job is to encourage their clients to maintain a healthy lifestyle, talk about their feelings and pursue their hobbies while also learning to live with their illnesses and past traumas. Social Workers typically work for various institutions, including schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, non-profit organizations, and government agencies, to support clients in a specialized area.
Social workers are educated and trained to address social injustices and barriers to their client’s well-being. These include poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and lack of housing. They also support clients and communities living with disabilities, have substance abuse problems, or experience domestic conflicts.
How to Become a Social Worker
The social work profession is a dynamic career choice for those looking to promote healthy growth and change among vulnerable populations. Social workers are individuals who believe in human connection to empower others.
- Getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a Related Field
- Pursue a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) or MSW-Equivalent Program
- Complete Fieldwork Hour Requirements
- Complete the ASWB Examination
- Apply for State Social Work Licensure
- Choose a Social Work Career
- Advance Your Practice Through Continued Learning
(1) Complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a Related Field
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Pathway: For those whose end goal in terms of a career is to be a social worker, then you could pursue a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) in your undergraduate studies.
Deciding early in life to earn a social work degree has benefits, and one of those benefits is the ability to enrol in advanced standing programs for your Master’s degree. These programs typically take a shorter amount of time to complete than a traditional standing program.
Non-BSW Pathway: It is uncommon primarily for students who do end up pursuing MSW to have a different undergraduate degree. Such degrees as Sociology, psychology, political science, women’s and gender studies, human development, early childhood development, and peace and social justice are some potential undergraduate studies that will serve you well for the future pursuit of an MSW. While any bachelor’s degree will create job opportunities, obtaining a financially stable social work career with flexibility and choice will require a master’s degree.
(2) Pursue a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) or MSW-Equivalent Program:
Earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program is typically necessary for licensure as a social worker. There are many MSW programs available online and on campus. Some of your best professional growth and learning could happen through your mentorship during your internship experience.
(3) Complete Fieldwork Hour Requirements
Fieldwork sometimes called an internship or practicum, is when students can apply what they have learned in their courses to working with communities under supervision.
This is the time to observe and learn from social workers in the field. Be sure you understand how field placements occur, and take the time to meet and complete an interview with your potential field mentor.
Typically, MSW programs require students to complete at least 900 hours as part of their field experience, though some may require additional hours. It is vital to check whether these fieldwork hours meet your state board’s licensure requirements.
Complete the ASWB Examination
The foundational requirement for one to be a Licensed social worker is that the applicants must complete the Association of Social Work Boards(ASWB) Social Work Licensing examination and any required jurisprudence examinations. Students might be required to obtain approval from their state’s coal work board to register for the ASWB Examination.
There are different levels of social work examinations issued by the ASWB Bachelor’s, Master’s, Advanced Generalist, and Clinical. There is a minimum educational requirement for each listed degree, and each exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions, with the difficulty and subject matter varying by level. The type of license you pursue essentially determines your scope of practice.
Apply for State Social Work Licensure
Obtaining licensure in social work is one more way to advance your learning, strengthen your expertise and demonstrate your credibility in the field. While not all social work roles require a license, positions that require you to work directly with individuals often do.
Finding a place of work that will financially support your licensure application process or offer the necessary practice experience and clinical supervision may be helpful for you. Obtaining direct service hours under the control of a licensed social worker is one of the main components of becoming certified, as is passing the licensure examinations.
Select a Social Work Career of your Choice
Macro Social Work: While a minority of social work students seem to place their efforts on the macro social work track, it is essential. The survival of the social work field relies on people working to create policy change to keep resources available and accessible for those who need them most.
Medical/Public Health Social Work: Medical social workers may support patients and their families during immediate health crises, or they may see patients more consistently to help them navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. All humans face health needs at some point in their lives. Because of this, medical social workers will be exposed to people across the entire developmental life span and on a wide range of life paths.
Clinical Social Work: A career in clinical practice means you will have the ability to assess, diagnose and treat mental illness. It may also allow the opportunity to open your private practice.
School Social Work: School social workers will often find themselves on a multidisciplinary team working to address various problems that students and schools face—addressing the growing intersection between mental health and education while improving student outcomes.
Advance Your Practice By Continually Learning
According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), social workers should pursue 48 hours of continuing education before each licensure renewal period. However, continuing education for licensure renewal is different by state and level of licensure.
Social workers can pursue many different types of continuing education: Formally organized learning events: Staff development, workshops, courses, practice-oriented seminars, distance education, and other training offered by accredited programs of social work education. Individual professional activities: Writing papers or books, presenting publications or research findings, reading professional journals/books, preparing for consultation, teaching or training assignments, and independent study, research, or tutorials.
Conclusion on How To Become A Social Worker
In conclusion, it is very much easier now, with the description of Social Work Jobs and the step-by-step format for becoming an excellent social worker.
Follow the steps listed above, and I assure you you won’t regret it.
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