Social work is a broad umbrella of a profession. Trained social workers work in practices, organizations, and clinics of all shapes and sizes. Social workers also work with all kinds of people — from the very young to the very old, and from people that need to access social welfare services once, to people that rely on social workers for their whole lives.
There are some threads — some commonalities — that weave throughout a social worker’s career. For one, nearly all social workers practicing today have a bachelor’s degree, and most have obtained a master of social work degree.
But there are other universals that also tie social workers together. We built the following resources to fit best at those intersections so that people looking to start a career in social work, or people looking to transition into the field can get a high-level overview of key parts of how the profession works. Like where and how to get a social work internship, for example, or where to look for social work jobs.
We hope that the following guides provide a good starting place for a deeper dive into the topics they cover:
What do social workers do? Where do they work? Are they in demand? What kinds of degrees or certifications do you need to get a job as a social worker? All of these questions and more are answered in the social work job guide. LEARN MORE
Unlike other professions where internships are often looked at as a way to build out a professional network and a resume, in social work, internships are critical. In fact, most degree programs at both the bachelor’s level and the master’s level require some sort of hands-on internship experience. Often the programs will help place students in these internships, but understand the basics is key to having a successful internship. LEARN MORE
Just like there is a range of practice areas that social workers can undertake, there is also a wide social work salary range. A social worker’s salary depends on degree level obtained, experience, field of work, employer (like private practice versus government agency versus nonprofit), and geographic location. This social work salary guide unpacks all of these factors to help paint a clear picture of what to expect. LEARN MORE
One important designation in the social work field is the licensed clinical social worker. This license allows social workers to take on specialized responsibilities and work with a variety of therapy methods. Each state has its own licensing process to become an LCSW. This guide unpacks some of the requirements, as well as how becoming a licensed clinical social worker can open up career options. LEARN MORE
The guide outlines some of the most common mental health issues experienced by students today. The guide also provides suggested resources for support and treatment, as well as the role that social workers can play in student mental health. LEARN MORE
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected via the internet, new social and security issues are emerging. One such issue is the rise of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can take many shapes and forms. This guide takes a dive into what cyberbullying is and how social workers are training to deal with the new field of digital health. LEARN MORE
How to Become a Social Worker Guide
There are a lot of career possibilities when becoming a social worker. Despite the wide variety of practice areas, the pathway to becoming a social worker is very similar. This guide outlines the steps to get started, including information about obtaining a social work degree and licensing requirements. LEARN MORE