Tips To Enhance Your Career In The Field Of Social Work

Published on: 25 March 2021 Last Updated on: 27 December 2024

Everyone struggles sometimes. While some people might be facing issues in their personal life, others might be unhappy with their careers. There comes a time in your career when you get bored with work. Things might seem monotonous, and you might want to switch gears. Changing things is a natural consequence of routine, and many people switch jobs for greener pastures.

According to research, an adult shifts jobs approximately 11.7 times between 18 and 48. However, doing so is not child’s play. Some professions are even more complicated to navigate.

A career in social work is one of the broadest in the world. Furthermore, it is unhealthy to keep working in a toxic position. And social workers are more vulnerable to burnout and workplace stress. Social work is flexible with an interdisciplinary nature. There are countless career opportunities to help others and improve their lives.

What Do Social Workers Do?

Generally, social workers help others make a meaningful change in their lives. Therefore, they may work in several positions.

There are three subsets of practice for social workers. They may work at the micro-level to focus on the issues of individuals. Or they may focus on the big picture and resolve the problems of communities and social groups.

Some social workers help support groups and head task forces. So, they may work in hospitals, schools, or have private practices.

Tips To Make The Most Of Your Social Service Career:

Now that you have entered social work, let’s move on to other matters. How can you advance your career? Read to find out more about this.

1. Get An Advanced Degree In Social Work:

Like all other professions, getting a graduate degree will help you climb the career ladder. With a CSWE online MSW degree, you can become a leader in social health. The best part is that these degrees are available online. So you can manage your course load and study at your own pace. But, do your research before you choose a program.

Look through online rankings and think about the pros and cons of each degree. You can also gain experience while studying. Interestingly, some supervisors even offer stipends and scholarships to their employees.

2. Develop Your Skills:

Research suggests that employers prefer people with transferable skills. However, social workers struggle to develop these skills. Therefore, it is necessary to hone these skills to advance in your career. Employers are looking for people with excellent communication skills, leadership capabilities, and technical skills.

3. Join A Network:

Joining an organization can improve your experience and skill set. These social work organizations connect people to leaders and graduates. Many such organizations host events and seminars for members. Most of them also offer discounts to members. For example, the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry serves geriatrics patients and provides collaboration opportunities to professionals.

4. Get Experience To Contribute:

Experience is necessary for career development. This exposure gives you valuable insight into social work and the responsibilities of a social worker. However, you should get a diverse experience. Doing so will contribute to your career prospects. Try out new things, and gain experience in several positions.

5. Do Some Research:

While experience is necessary, research and knowledge are also vital to improve job prospects. Seek out classes in diverse fields and participate in independent studies. You can work with faculty members and researchers to make yourself more employable.

6. Get A Mentor:

It is not possible to do everything on your own. Therefore, you should ask experienced professionals to help you grow further. These people bring many years of experience and have inside knowledge about everything. Furthermore, they can also help your prepare for life challenges.

7. Network And Enroll In Professional Development Opportunities:

Most institutions organize events to increase knowledge and develop skills. You can enroll in workshops and courses to build your network and connect with others. Networking can improve your job prospects as well. Building relationships with other professionals can help you build enduring relations with others.

8. Take Some Time Out To Reduce Stress:

Self-care is vital for the health of social workers. You have to make time for yourself to reduce stress and avoid burnout. Take some time out to connect with friends and family every once in a while.

9. Always Act Professionally:

Social workers are witnesses to many embarrassing and humiliating things about their patients. Therefore, it is vital to follow ethical standards at all times. Handle your patient with dignity and the utmost care.

But, Why Work In Social Services?

If you are thinking of making a career change, then social work is the profession for you. On average, 6.2 million workers make a career change per year. Working in social services can put things in perspective for you. Not only is social work fulfilling, but it is also meaningful.

Social work is a growing field, and it is expanding rapidly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for social workers will increase by 16 percent in the next few years. Therefore, there will be 110,000 new jobs until 2031.

Furthermore, the pay is not terrible either. According to BLS, the average salary is $67,000 per annum. And your wages might improve with additional certifications.

What Is The Next Step?

Now is the time to begin planning for your future. Therefore, start looking for employment opportunities. You can also enroll in graduate programs to improve your prospects. With a specialized degree in social work, you can reach the pinnacle of the career level.

Utilize these tips to make the most of your social work career. However, never forget why you chose to enter this profession.

Read Also:

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B.Sc. Agriculture- An emerging career option in India
Top Non-Physician Career Opportunities in the Healthcare Sector in 2021

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These classes can give you a head start and show employers that you're serious about this work. So, education for excavation contractors is about having a solid high school foundation and learning the skills for the job. 2. Training: Similar to several blue-collar jobs for women and men, this one, too, requires training. After finishing school, the next step is to learn the job by doing it. Many start as helpers, watching and learning from experienced workers. Some might drive smaller machines at first, getting the feel of the controls. Over time, they get to handle bigger equipment. It's like being an apprentice, where you learn by working on real projects. This hands-on training is key because it teaches you the tricks of the trade, like how to dig just right without making mistakes. It's all about practice and getting better each day. 3. Certification: Obtaining a certification is similar to receiving a badge of knowledge. It can make you stand out, but it's not always necessary. 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However, the college might not choose to give credit to the student for an externship. Moreover, the length of an externship depends on the professional that the student is job-shadowing. In fact, it is the time that the professional can afford to offer to the learner. Basically, the program can last for a day or even eight weeks. Hence, a student can choose to perform multiple externships during a break period. Definition Of Internship An internship is a training program where the student/beginner learns while being on the job. Here, the intern works under an employer and learns by working on projects. Hence, an intern can have employee-like responsibilities. These include working on projects, organizing files, updating information, and more. Moreover, the learner can also earn college credits by working on internships. In some cases, the employer might also offer a small base salary to the learner. However, in other cases, an employer might not offer payments to the learner. For instance, if you are a student or a college grad, you can choose to complete an internship with a company during your school year. Moreover, if you have enough time, you can choose to complete multiple internships. However, you will need to inform your internship coordinator if you have a school semester to prepare for. Both externships and internships are helpful for college students to learn about different careers and job roles. Apart from that, in both cases, students can learn whether they want to pursue a career or not. Externship vs Internship: Key Differences The following are the major differences between an externship and an internship: Factor Externship Internship Compensation You might get no payment in an externship. This is because the work involves only observing a professional for a certain time period. Since you get to work with hands-on experience, you will receive compensation. However, in some cases, an employer might not offer compensation to an intern. Length An externship does not extend to more than eight weeks. In fact, in some cases, the externship can even end in a day. Basically, it depends on the amount of time that the professional you are observing can provide you. An internship requires at least two months and can extend to six months. In some cases, it can require more time. This is because you are learning with hands-on experience. Moreover, you will also find internships that align well with your University schedule. Course Credit Generally, students don’t receive course credits after an externship. This is because the length of an externship is short. In most cases, colleges/universities offer course credits for internships. Moreover, universities even encourage students to work as interns before they graduate. This is because students get good industry experience as they make progress. However, to ensure that your University recognizes your internship, you have to submit proof. Responsibilities In an externship, you do not need to complete any task. Also, there is no supervisor to give feedback on your work. In an internship, you will receive on-the-job training. Also, you have to contribute to the company’s workflow. Moreover, if your performance is good enough, the employer might provide you with a full-time opportunity after your graduation. Externship vs Internship: Major Benefits Here are the major benefits of an externship and an internship: Benefits Of An Externship One of the major benefits of an externship is that you will learn a lot about a particular job role. For instance, as a student, you will understand whether a given career is suitable for you or not. Moreover, if you are a professional, an externship will let you understand a career change better. Basically, with the help of an externship, you will have a good perspective on your career options. For example, if you are a business major and not sure about whether you want to join accounting or finance, you can do an externship in both. Moreover, you will also learn how to prepare for an interview or how to build a resume for the job role. Benefits Of An Internship The most important benefit of an internship is that you will have work experience before you become a full-time employee. In fact, it will be a competitive advantage while you are still in college or University. This is because employers always prefer someone with industry experience to a fresher candidate. Meanwhile, you will also learn the duties and responsibilities of different departments and responsibilities. This will help you a lot in your future jobs. Apart from that, while being an intern, you will get the chance to create a professional network. This will open up options for you after you graduate. Basically, if your internship has been a positive experience for you, you can transition easily to a permanent job. Additionally, if your performance was good enough during your internship, the employer can even consider offering you a permanent role. Externship vs Internship: Which One To Choose? Both externship and internship have their own benefits and opportunities. Hence, you must assess your situation and your future needs to choose the one that suits you the best. For instance, if you are unsure about whether to pursue a career or not, an externship might be the best option to choose. Here, you can check the daily work-life of a professional that you strive to be in the near future. On the other hand, if you are sure about your career path, you must look for an internship with an employer. This way, you will get practical work experience in a field. As a result, it will be easier to find a job after you complete your graduation. However, you will need to consider whether you have enough time to take on a full internship. How To Find Externships And Internships? To find a good externship or an internship, you can use your college’s resources and personal and social media connections. In fact, one of the best ways to find an internship or an externship is by completing your LinkedIn profile. This is one of the best platforms to create a professional network and look for job opportunities. Apart from that, you can also contact your college’s placement cell or talk to your academic counselor to offer some advice. Additionally, you will also learn about internship or externship opportunities through professional networking events. On the other hand, if you are confident enough, you can even try a head-on approach. For example, if you want to work for a particular company that you think can offer you a good opportunity, reach out directly to them. Ask them whether they have an internship or externship opportunity for you or not. Externship vs Internship: Common Myths A common myth of externships is that it does not help much in knowing about a job role. However, the fact is that if you choose the professional properly with the guidance of your academic mentor, you will have a great experience. Thereby, you will know whether a particular job is good for you or not. On the other hand, a big myth about internships is, “Interns mainly do beginner-level tasks…” However, the fact is interns do work on important and complex projects. This helps them gain industry experience early on. Another myth about internships is that only top-performing students get internships. However, the fact is that although internships are competitive, there are many places to look into. All you need is the right set of skills. Final Thoughts Externship vs Internship - Now you know the major differences between them. Basically, if you are unsure about whether to choose a career or not, an externship is helpful. On the other hand, if you want early industry experience, an internship is the way to go. Do you have more suggestions on how to look for externships and internships? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below. Read Also: How Many Jobs Are Available in Consumer Services? Copywriting Jobs 101: Essential Steps To Become A Copywriter How Many Jobs Are Available In Real Estate Investment Trusts?

Tips To Enhance Your Career In The Field Of Social Work

What Do Social Workers Do?

Tips To Make The Most Of Your Social Service Career: