Reflection Paper: A Career In Social Work

Finding the dream career with a dream salary is a goal for most students when considering a field of study. Sometimes salary is the number one motivation for young college students in their first job search. However, there are others who choose a career based on their strong passion and drive for a particular discipline. Even if a career does not always come with an appealing salary, the rewards of helping another person can be invaluable and outweigh income. I grew up in a home where serving others was very important, so naturally, it was easy deciding that social work would be a perfect career fit for me. A career in social work can be rewarding, it can offer many career opportunities but at the same time can expose workers to harsh personal …show more content…
She stated, “During a conversation with a professor, she expressed what she wanted to do and in the middle of the conversation he stopped her and said social work is the right path for you.” Sharing and expressing similar interests, she agreed this was the correct field of study for her. “Professor Volger”, I asked “what are your feelings about social work?” she replied, “She loves that it is a broad field that is grounded in Code of …show more content…
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that “social workers work with groups, community organizations, and policymakers to develop or improve programs, services, policies, and social conditions”. They advocate or raise awareness not only on behalf of their clients and the social work profession, but also on local, state, and national levels. The NASW informs us that “professional social workers are found in every aspect of community life”. This includes schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, elected offices, private practices, prisons, military, corporations, and in numerous public and private agencies. There are many types of social workers and they serve in many capacities. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a list of the types of social workers in the field. Child and family social workers protect vulnerable children and help families in need. Clinical social workers—also known as licensed clinical social workers—diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders, to include anxiety and depression. School social workers work with teachers, parents, and school administrators to improve students’ academic performance and social development. Healthcare social workers help patients understand their diagnosis and help with needed adjustments to their lifestyle, housing, or healthcare. Geriatric social