What Is Social Work?
Social work is a practice-based profession focused on promoting human rights, social change, and the well-being of individuals, various groups, and communities. From advocating for civil rights, to connecting people with non-profits, to providing counseling to individuals and families, social work offers many opportunities to create an impact in people’s lives.
If you’re passionate about helping others and striving to make a difference, a career in social work may be a good fit for you. It's also important to consider education requirements, job opportunities, and potential challenges that come with this career.
What Is a Social Worker?
Social workers are professionals who work with diverse populations to improve their quality of life through advocacy, counseling, and raising awareness. They often focus on especially vulnerable groups, such as those living in poverty, children and older adults, crime victims, or people struggling with substance use.
Social workers are professionals who work with diverse populations to improve their quality of life through advocacy, counseling, and raising awareness.
What Does a Social Worker Do?
Social work is a challenging but highly rewarding position for individuals who wish to dedicate their careers to helping people. Social workers support individuals and groups in difficult situations, acting as guides, advocates, and sometimes counselors.
As there are so many specializations and career paths in the social work field, it can be useful to break it down by level and type of practice:
Micro vs. Mezzo vs. Macro Social Work
Generally, there are three widely recognized levels of social work:
At the micro level, social work professionals offer services to individuals, families, or small groups. Examples may include substance abuse treatment, family counseling, crime victim advocacy, and more.
At the mezzolevel, social workers assist groups of people, serving at community centers, schools, prisons, or hospitals.
Macro-level social work promotes change on a larger scale and may involve policy making, social work research, and community-based initiatives.
Indirect vs. Direct Practice and Clinical Social Work
Direct practice social workers help their clients by directing them to services and resources according to their needs. For example, case workers in domestic violence shelters may help survivors find financial assistance, pro bono legal services, and transitional housing.
Clinical social workers are licensed professionals who also interact with their clients directly. They work with individuals and groups with mental health, emotional, or behavioral issues, providing assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. For instance, depending on their specialization, clinical social workers can provide family counseling in private practice, offer psychological assessments in court cases, or provide support to patients at rehabilitation centers.
Clinical social workers are licensed professionals who also interact with their clients directly.
Social workers in indirect practice, on the other hand, work at the macro level. They facilitate change by influencing the larger systems through programs and policies. Some examples of indirect social work roles include legislative advocates, community organizers, and human services specialists.
Becoming a Social Worker
Your path to becoming a social worker will depend on your chosen specialty and how much time you’re willing to spend in school. For instance, with a bachelor’s degree, you can have a variety of career choices in social work to choose from. However, furthering your education and gaining licensure can create even more opportunities, including a higher earning potential.
Education Requirements for Social Workers
A bachelor’s degree in social work can prepare you for various types of social work, from macro social work practice — such as charity program development and community organizing — to certain direct practice professions, including caseworker, habilitation specialist, mental health assistant, and others.
A master’s degree in social work is a step toward more lucrative jobs in this field, and it allows graduates to pursue the application process for becoming a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Depending on their chosen specialization track, MSW graduates have a wide range of job opportunities, such as substance abuse counseling, mental health therapy, and social work administration.
Finally, those with a doctoral degree in social work can either work in leadership positions within social work organizations or focus on research and education — for instance, as a professor of social work.
Social Work Certification and Licensure
No matter which social work degree you decide to pursue, you will most likely need to obtain licensure to use the social worker title.
Licensure requirements vary by state, but each license requires that you pass an exam. If you have a bachelor’s degree in social work, you can earn a nonclinical license which can benefit you when seeking employment. Most licenses, however, require an MSW, as well as a set number of supervised practice hours.
Social Work Careers
Whatever level of social work you’re interested in and whichever vulnerable group you’d like to serve, you’ll find numerous social work career options. Below are only a few examples of common social work careers that may be available to you if you obtain a degree in social work.
Read our article on careers in social work for more information on job opportunities in the field, including salary information and job outlook.
FAQs About Social Workers
The Bottom Line
Considering the extensive training required in many social work positions and the high levels of stress and compassion fatigue associated with these professions, it’s crucial to evaluate what you’re seeking from your career to determine whether a job in social work is right for you.