Pros and Cons of Different Fields in Social Work

857 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Social work career goals

Earning my bachelor’s in human services will lead into my career in the field of social work. The field of social work is nothing new: Simon Patten coined the term social workers in 1900 (Robert 1995). Literature on aspects of the field, how to get involved in social work, and what type of work a social worker performs will be included in my research. For the purpose of this review, I will focus my research on current information, 2008 to current. The major theme of my research includes looking at the positives and negatives of different fields in social work. Another part of my research will include, how I will earn my graduate degree once I graduate from ODU, along with the jobs outlook and descriptions for each field. This is important for my paper; because, I will choose which field I plan on going in and why. It also will allow me to compare and contrast the different fields. My literature review will start with my graduate school plans, followed by my research on each field I want to focus as a social worker (in order of my most desirable field to my least desirable). Graduate School I am currently a sophomore at Old Dominion University, majoring in human services. I plan to further my education in graduate school at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work. VCU’s school of social work is ranked 11th in the nation and has been around since 1917 (Relation). “The purpose of this program is to prepare graduate-level social workers with the knowledge, values and skills essential to advanced social work practice in a multicultural society” (Relation). One of the most important requirements to get accepted into the program is work experience and volunteer hours after undergraduate school. I plan on going to s... ... middle of paper ... ... of people everyday. Works Cited Dybicz, P. (2012). The ethics of care: Recapturing social work's first voice. doi: http://dx.doi.org.proxy.lib.odu.edu/10.1093/sw/sws007 Children and families . (2014). Retrieved from http://www.naswdc.org/pressroom/features/issue/children.asp?print=1& Mental health and substance abuse social workers. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.socialworklicensure.org/types-of-social-workers/mental-health-substance-abuse.html Notabartolo, A. (2010, 04). Fact sheet 2010. Retrieved from http://www.dpeaflcio.org/programs/factsheets/fs_2010_social_workers.htm Relations, V. (n.d.). Vcu School of social work. Retrieved from http://www.socialwork.vcu.edu/ What are gerontological social workers?. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.socialworklicensure.org/types-of-social-workers/gerontological-social-workers.html

Show More
Related

  • Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder

    2613 Words  | 6 Pages

    Popple, P. R, & L. Leighninger. (2011). Social Work, Social Welfare, and American Society. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

    Read More

  • Mental Illness and Developmental Disabilities

    1568 Words  | 4 Pages

    Popple , P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2011). Social work, social welfare, and american society. (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

    Read More

  • Special Populations in The Secret Life of Bees

    1340 Words  | 3 Pages

    Morales, A., Sheafor, B. W., & Scott, M. E. (2012). Social work: a profession of many faces. (12th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

    Read More

  • Self Awareness By Esther Urdang Summary

    560 Words  | 2 Pages

    Urdang’s article is well written and highly informative. It maintains the reader’s interest and provides applicable information to social workers. After reading the article, I will continue to focus on myself, who I am, and what I know is right. This well help me to become more self-aware and avoid burnout, inappropriate relationships and emotional distress. It can be assumed that most people after reading this article felt the same way. This article contributes to social work students by pointing out big issues in the field of social work and then offers methods and solutions to avoid these

    Read More

  • The Importance Of The Eritrean-American Culture

    1040 Words  | 3 Pages

    I knew I loved to help others but it was not until I was an emerging adult that I knew what my calling was. My devotion to improve the quality of life for those who are disadvantaged is one of the reasons I have chosen to pursue a Master’s in Social Work. After obtaining my masters, I plan on diversifying my masters by getting licensed and becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I would like to study social work because I feel it will lead me directly to one of the most emotionally fulfilling careers available, as well as giving me the chance to combine helping people 's mental well being with their physical

    Read More

  • Social Work Theory

    1008 Words  | 3 Pages

    This class, Social Work Theory & Practice was made to be able to introduce me to social work theories, ideas, and skills needed to work in the social work profession. This class main tool used was a book called A Brief Introduction of Social Work Theory by David Howe which discusses social work theories in a compressive and explainable way. This class is important to my higher learning because it break down the theories that I will need to use during my practice and a...

    Read More

  • Foster Care

    2804 Words  | 6 Pages

    Zlotnik, J. L. & Cornelius, L. (2000). Preparing Social Work Students for Child Welfare Careers:

    Read More

  • Clinical Social Work as a Career

    1946 Words  | 4 Pages

    Becoming a social worker is dependent on numerous factors, one of which being education. “A bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) degree is the most common minimum requirement to qualify for a job as a social worker, however, majors in psychology, sociology, and related fields may be sufficient to qualify for some entry-level job” (Chao & Orr, 162). Many people when pursuing the goals of being a social worker, however, are most interested in jobs in public agencies and/or having their own practices. “A master’s degree in social work (MSW) is necessary for positions in health and mental health settings and typically is required for certification for clinical work” (Chao & Orr, 162). One’s level of school is not the only thing employers are focusing on when looking to hire social workers. Along with one’s education, a social worker must have “a broad liberal arts base which includes a knowledge of the social sciences (sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, political science, and economics) to provide explanations about the nature of human society and the human condition” (Johnson, 48). There are many more skills that are just as essential, if not more beneficial, to the employer as well as client.

    Read More

  • Social Work Capstone Paper

    607 Words  | 2 Pages

    When pursuing a degree in social work, one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences within the degree aspect is the capstone project. The capstone is a multi-integrative assignment that is structure to provide social work students with the opportunity to apply their academic, professional and personal experience in the field through the application of a project. With allowing students to master the knowledge, skills, values, and ethics needed for effective social work practice, the capstone project also provide a development to really contribute in the knowledge of the profession. All social work capstone projects encourage students to unite their work to community issues and problems through learning, observations and internship. This paper examines the values, policy, conceptual framework, group

    Read More

  • Reflections on Social Work: My Professional Journey

    728 Words  | 2 Pages

    This paper will explore what the primary mission of social work as a professional means to me. Through self-reflection of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, I will delve into why I chose social work as a career, the type of social worker I want to become, and ponder what challenges and obstacles may impede my chosen path.

    Read More

  • Cultural Sensitivity in Social Work

    1537 Words  | 4 Pages

    Social work practitioners can use the information from this study to document activities that MSW graduates engaged in relevant to cultural competency. The study will provide current and future social workers with specific details and strategies that they can employ to assist them on their journey toward culturally competent practice. In addition, this research study will offer examples of what social workers can do to build their knowledge, skills, and values.

    Read More

  • My Interest in Social Work

    1263 Words  | 3 Pages

    For years, when I thought of Social Workers, I imagined a person coming into a client’s home and taking their kids away for neglect. Later, I found out that social workers could go into so many dimensions, such as clinical social workers, case mangers, and even administrative positions in agency settings. Furthermore, I realized that I was maturing into an adult. For example, when I began telling people of my decisions to become a social worker, a lot ...

    Read More

  • Reflection Of Social Work

    1332 Words  | 3 Pages

    Over the course of the semester, I have learned a variety of many things regarding social work. These things vary from learning how to help oneself to understanding how to help others. Not only were the textbooks very useful, but also the materials that furthered this textbook learning. The in class presentation, activities, and guest speakers gave us insight and a different perspective on the material we were learning. I feel like this course has given me a good foundation and prepared me as a future social worker (1).

    Read More

  • Essay On Social Work

    1002 Words  | 3 Pages

    The social work profession is defined as “a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people (ISFW, ‘Global Definition of Social Work’, 2016).” The definition may be true about the profession but it is more in depth than just that. To me, the profession’s primary focus is to help others through life as much as we can while letting them make their own choices and guiding them. In society, social workers are utilized in many different nonprofit and government roles. They serve the community in many different ways from monitoring parent visits to helping people through mental illnesses. Human beings are so complex and things that happen

    Read More

  • Social Change In Social Work

    992 Words  | 2 Pages

    The work of a social worker is complex and all encompassing. Social workers work in many capacities seeking justice, liberation, and equality. There work is global, as they work to put policies in place to govern practices. To keep up with societal shifts and generational changes there learning is continuous. As new questions rise so does the need for the continuation of research, not only to answer these questions but to implement into

    Read More

More about Pros and Cons of Different Fields in Social Work

Open Document