Social Work as a Career and Job opportunities

By: Thangjam Babulu

What is Social Work?
Social workers help people to overcome some of life’s most difficult challenges: poverty, discrimination, abuse, addiction, physical illness, divorce, loss, unemployment, educational problems, disability, and mental illness. They help prevent crises and counsel individuals, families, and communities to cope more effectively with the stresses of everyday life. Social Work is a profession that serves individuals, families, and communities who seek preventative and rehabilitative interventions for an improved quality of life. Focused on social and emotional development within the social environment, the scope of social work is national and international. The profession is social justice and action oriented.
Also, Social work is an academic discipline of social sciences and humanities where the main focus is to improve the social structure of the society and help the weak and underprivileged people of the community. Social Workers with individual, families and communities and deal with issues related to social empowerment like poverty, unemployment and education.
The holistic focus of social work is universal, but the priorities of social work practice will vary from country to country and from time to time depending on cultural, historical, and socio-economic conditions.
What should be the main objectives of social workers
The main objectives of social workers should be:
1. Empowering individuals, families, and communities to improve their lives.
2. Promoting social justice and human rights.
3. Addressing and alleviating poverty, oppression, and social problems.
4. Providing support and assistance to marginalized and vulnerable populations.
5. Advocating for policy changes to address social problems and promote social equality.
6. Building partnerships and collaborations with other professionals and organizations to create sustainable solutions to social problems.
7. Conducting research to advance knowledge and understanding of social issues.
Qualities of a social worker must have in order to professionally succeed in work
A social worker must have the following qualities in order to professionally succeed in work:
1. Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
2. Communication: Effective verbal and written communication skills.
3. Problem-solving: The ability to analyse and find solutions to complex social problems.
4. Cultural competence: Understanding and respect for diverse cultures and communities.
5. Active listening: The ability to listen and understand the needs and perspectives of others.
6. Flexibility: The ability to adapt to changing situations and work effectively with a wide range of individuals and communities.
7. Self-awareness: Understanding one’s own values, beliefs, and biases, and how they may impact work with clients.
8. Organization: Effective time-management and organizational skills.
9. Ethical practice: Adherence to professional ethical standards and codes of conduct.
10. Commitment to social justice: A dedication to promoting social change and addressing systemic inequalities.
How to Build a Career in Social Work?
To start a career in social work, you will first have to pursue your bachelor’s degree in Social Work, followed by a Master in Social Work, However, holding a Bachelor in Social Work (BSW) is not a necessary condition, and you can for a Master in the field even if you have graduated in any other subject for you Under Graduate.
In India, there are various leading colleges and universities offering these courses.
MSW: Jobs and Career Opportunities
A Master of Social Work degree or MSW degree opens up various avenues in community work settings. The programme provides an opportunity to explore multiple specializations and build a career in sectors such as Healthcare, Education, Women & Child Development, to name a few. Initially, a graduate’s work is centred on child protection, family welfare, financial support to low-income families, refugee rights and aid, indigenous community rights, human rights, mental health support, substance abuse and rehabilitation, women empowerment and more.
Listed below are popular career choices one can go for after the completion of their Master of Social Work:
· Administration and Management: They act as proactive leaders in the public and private domain that provide services to the clients. It is obvious to have thorough knowledge about social policy and the delivery of social services, vision for future planning, an understanding of human behaviour, and commitment to social work ethics and values is a must for them.
· Advocacy and community organization: Advocacy is one of the keystones of social work practice. Social work advocates champion the rights of individuals and communities intending to achieve social justice. Ideally, this helps people seek justice against any sort of inequality they face.
· Child welfare: This is an intense field where help is provided to the most vulnerable children, youth and families. Whoever suffers from any kind of exploitation or fails to have a sound life seeks help from this branch.
· Developmental disabilities: Parents having children with developmental disabilities can help social workers get a better understanding of their legal rights. They contribute in a way that they help parents learn to be advocates and find special services that enable their children to be as independent as possible
· Health care: These individuals are professionally trained social workers who help people in need of health care advice to lead a happy healthy life.
· International social work: For those willing to have a career in this, the work here is diverse. Their help includes direct services in communities, refugee camps, orphanages, hospitals, and schools, as well as supporting the efforts of national, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations to enhance social well-being.
· Justice and correction: They are those who work in justice and corrections can be found in courts, rape crisis centres, police departments, and correctional facilities.
School Social Work: Social workers who work in school premises help students cope with their emotional and mental crisis.
Conclusion
Professional social workers are found in every facet of community life. Social work is not just about doing good deeds and helping the under-privileged. Over a period of time, it has evolved into a profession. But with issues of disability, drug misuse, poverty, mental ill health, problems associated with aging etc. rising constantly, social work has become a vital need of our society today. If you are willing to take up a profession for emotional fulfilment and if your purpose of working is not just financial, this would be the ideal career for you.  
The Author is Indian Scholar and published many articles related to women livelihood. Thangjam Babulu is a resident from Sagolband Thangjam Leirak, Imphal. Currently, the author is working as Research Coordinator at Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, New Delhi.   Email: [email protected] or [email protected]