What is social work? Social work is the study of social problems and human behavior.

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As a social worker you may deal with any number of social problems, such as: Poverty Child abuse Mental illness Substance abuse Immigrants Crime Disabilities

For more information on pursuing a career in the field of social work, please visit a few of the following websiteswww.socialworkers.org www.cswe.org www.sswr.org

(US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014)

So you want to be a Social Worker?

Credentials and Salary

Personality Traits of a Social Worker
Communication skills Flexibility Values and ethics Self-awareness Passion for helping (NASW, 2014)

Most people who pursue a career in social work obtain a BSW (Bachelors of Social Work) and then go on to get their MSW (Masters of Social Work), based on the field of social work they are interested in and the pay they desire. Depending on the state that you live in, there are several certifications that may be required in order to be considered a professional social worker. The salary of a social worker can range anywhere from non-profit work to $80,000 a year. (Barsky, Green & Ayayo, 2014)

Are there jobs after graduation? Social Work is definitely a growing career field, and is predicted to increase in job availability. Desired salary and hours is another topic however. (Barsanti, 2014)

In these times of difficulty, we Americans everywhere must and shall choose the path of social justice, the path of faith, the path of hope and the path of love toward our fellow man. -FDR
Pros of being a Social Worker
Endless opportunities to advocate for social change Opportunities for personal and professional growth Challenging, interesting, and exciting work environment Extensive field of career paths and opportunities Enhancing the lives of others Always rewarding (Pragati, 2014)

Cons of being a Social Worker

Problems of clients can feel like your own Stressful

Possibility of difficulty balancing personal and professional life

Ethical dilemmas Safety No guaranteed salary (Armfield, 2014)