Achieving a bachelor’s degree in social work can be a great start to a meaningful and even lucrative career. Social workers are in demand as the world is combating a number of public health crises. This is beyond the usual injustices of poverty, racism, hunger, and need. With this being said, it probably does not come as a surprise that the career path of social work is only projected to grow according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This profession has an outlook of a 13 percent increase in social work jobs between 2019 and 2029. This is a higher rate of increase than the average profession. This is to say, if you are concerned you will struggle to find a job with this pathway, rest assured. There are many relevant bachelors in social work jobs that will not only get your foot in the door but set you up for a long game career in a meaningful profession.
As far as academic programs go, there are many places you can specialize in a social work niche that is in line with your personal interests. This can be in terms of sites where you might want to work, or the type of social work you are interested in practicing. Many people achieve a bachelors in social work with the intention of eventually matriculating into a masters of social work (MSW) program. This will offer leadership opportunities for even more lucrative career options.
Choosing the Right Bachelor’s in Social Work Program
There are many academic programs out there that result in a bachelors of social work (BSW). It is a great idea to have a sense of where you might want to go with your career upon graduation. This will support you to have relevant fieldwork experiences while you are studying. Engaging in such practicum experiences will give you a chance to get ahead of the game. You will be able to create a portfolio that will support your post graduation career path. When you begin applying for jobs you will be able to show a whole host of experiences that are relevant, making you a competitive candidate.
Social Work Bachelor’s Jobs
Let’s take a look at the jobs with a bachelor of social work available for graduates. Many require some practicum or internship experience leading up to the career path, though much of that will be achieved in the bachelor program itself, and even, in some cases, an associates program leading up to the bachelors. This depends on the academic path that the student has taken. Let’s take a look at some of the options when it comes to jobs for a bachelors in social work:
Social Worker
Yes, jobs with a bachelor of social work include a typical social worker career. A bachelors in social work will prepare you to work in this profession including within a variety of settings. This position will train you to identify the needs of people in communities who could use support services. In this position you will assess how to offer such services and determine how to help people get their needs met. Social workers are trained to work as an ally for clients, ensuring their self determination is valued. In this position you will learn how to support populations to adjust to certain challenges in their lives, which may include illness, divorce, housing needs, and food scarcity.
Mental Health Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
This is a common path for aspiring social workers to take, as there is much need in this specialization. There are many places to plug in when working as a mental health professional. This can include counseling at drug and alcohol rehab facilities or working on the ground to offer recovery resources, in some cases in an outreach capacity.
Healthcare Social Workers
This is one of the jobs for bachelors in social work that enable professionals to work with patients, often in medical facilities, to understand their diagnosis and treatment options. In this position, professionals will support patients to make necessary adjustments in their life styles in order to meet the challenges of their conditions.
Child and Family Social Workers
This is a position that works with often vulnerable families, who in many cases are in need of assistance. There are many paths one could take in this specialization, including helping families access stable housing, food stamps, and other services. Social workers in this realm might be tasked with ensuring children are safe in their homes.
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25 Best Online Bachelor’s in Social Work