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Choosing Social Work as a Career
Through counseling, advocacy, crisis intervention, case management, family intervention, and group work, social workers help people to solve personal and family problems. Social workers advocate for persons who face a life-threatening disease or a social problem like lack of housing, unemployment, substance addiction, serious illness or disability, or domestic abuse. They bring people together to create change in neighborhoods, villages, or change in our world. Social and economic justice is the primary goal of social workers.
In addition to these important qualities, social workers must be able to handle responsibility, work independently, value diversity, and maintain good working relationships with clients and co-workers. For those who choose a career path that is focused on helping others, the rewards are great.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the opportunity for a successful career in social work is very high. Employment is projected to grow faster than average and job opportunities are good in urban areas and above average in rural areas.
Examples of employment opportunities:
- Family and children's services
- Homeless and domestic violence centers
- Hospitals and health care centers
- Mental health and community support programs
- Criminal justice system
- Substance abuse programs
- Head Start programs