Social work and social work fields

2. Social work is a helping profession; the main goal of social work
is to improve a society’s overall well-being, especially for the
most vulnerable populations.
You may be wondering, “Why social work instead of other
helping professions?” Social work’s distinguishing characteristics
are its emphasis on the person-in-environment model and its
emphasis on social justice. In other words, social workers not
only consider individuals’ internal struggles, as other counselors
might, they also work with people to examine their
relationships, family history, work environment, community
environment, and the structures and policies that impact them
in order to identify ways to help address a problem or
challenge. Social workers also do not limit their work to
individuals; they work with individuals, couples, families,
groups, neighborhoods, communities, and organizations.
Social work practice is also strengths-based. Social workers help
people or groups identify their problems, determine their skills
and capacities, what they are doing well, and how that was
accomplished, and then analyze ways that those strengths
might be applied to the identified problems.

3. Social Work Jobs

4. Social work is an incredibly broad and diverse field; it offers an almost
limitless range of career options. Social workers work in a variety of
settings, including hospitals, non-profit organizations, mental health
centers, schools, advocacy agencies, community organizations, and
government offices.
Many social workers work directly with clients who are individuals,
families or small groups. These social workers help clients cope with
problems such as poverty, abuse, addiction, and mental illness by
providing counseling, connecting clients with service providers, and
empowering clients to meet their own needs.
Other social workers choose to work with communities, organizations or
governments. These workers advocate for vulnerable populations,
fighting to end the inequalities and injustices they see in their
communities. They create policies, break down barriers, and drive
reform.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social work employment
opportunities are expected to grow at a rate of 25% between now and
2020, which is faster than average. This means it’s a great time to
become a social worker. Demand will be particularly high for social
workers employed in the fields of healthcare, substance abuse, and
social services (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012-2013).

5. With a degree from an accredited school of social work, you can
enter any of the following fields:
 Mental health services
 Military social work
 Adoption and foster care
 Family preservation service
 Child protective services
 Homeless services
 Hospital social work
 Health and wellness services

6.  Outpatient health services
 School-based social work
 Psychiatric hospital services
 Domestic violence services
 Services to persons with intellectual
and developmental disabilities
 Services to older adults
 Faith-based services
 Advocacy services
 Grant management

7.  HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment
services
 Addictions prevention and treatment
services
 Services for justice-involved persons
 Crisis intervention
 Hospice and palliative care
 Nonprofit management and support
 Community organizing and intervention
 Housing services
 Guardian ad litem
 Disaster relief

8. Thank you
Rambabu Madathanapalli