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Ten Easy Tips on How to Become a Social Worker |
Social work is an important bridge between healthcare services and the patients in the community. Here are ten easy tips that can help you start a career as social worker.
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Social workers are the backbone of healthcare and of social services. Social workers work in many different settings and have many different jobs. As a social worker, you might work with Child Protective Services. You could work with Elder Services. You could provide counseling, or help the homeless or perform many other important services. If you want to be a social worker, here are ten easy tips for how to do it.
1. Volunteer at a day care, nursing home, walk-in clinic or any other setting where a social worker might work. This gives you exposure to what the work could be like, and gives you volunteer experience to put on college applications.
2. In high school, concentrate on college preparatory studies. Good grades and SAT scores are important for getting into social work school. Remember that written and verbal communication skills are essential in social work, so try to focus carefully on them.
3. Apply to colleges that offer a degree (bachelor’s) in social work (BSW). Look carefully at universities that have good post-placement or good graduate programs in the degree. You need to be prepared for what will happen after graduation as well.
4. Develop your people skills. Social workers work with people. Most of the time, they work with people who aren’t at their best; they are stressed, disenfranchised, sick, mentally ill, lonely, etc. Seek opportunities that will allow you to increase your skills in this area.
5. Get as much clinical experience as you can. There are scientific principles that apply to social work, but you will learn how to apply those principles by doing. Even if your school doesn't require summer internships, apply for them anyway, They're a great way to improve your skill set.
6. Learn about types of resources you can offer to clients. Social workers hold the key to resources They know what resources are available to which people under what circumstances. The more resources you know about, the more you can help your clients.
7. Learn how to keep up with new information. New information and resources are available all the time, and you need to know how to access that information. Read and subscribe to professional journals, and be sure to attend any professional conferences that you can. They are sure to help you in your profession.
8. Develop your own support and resources. Social work is emotionally demanding work. If you do not have your own support system, you run the risk of becoming cynical and burned out. Social workers need social support.
9. Specialize. Social work is such a huge field you cannot keep current with everything. Decide what area you want to specialize in and focus on becoming expert in that area.
10. Consider graduate school. Your BSW is an entry degree into the profession. At some point you will almost certainly need a graduate degree. It may even help advance your rate of pay.
Social work is an incredibly important job, and these tips should help you land right side up in the field.
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