When you have a struggle with your mental health, sometimes the best way to flip a negative experience into a positive one is to use your own experience to try to help somebody else. Becoming a social worker is one great way to take your negative experiences in mental health and turn them into a career assisting other people.
A social worker is someone who dedicates their career to serving communities, families, and people of all different backgrounds. Many individuals who seek out services from a social worker require help and are looking for a drastic change in their everyday lives. Families may need a social worker when child abuse and neglect have been reported. Communities call on social workers to raise awareness on a certain topic, provide different types of support to hurting people, and even help in outreach events.
A career in social work can be incredibly alluring. Social work is a vibrant field with workers covering a multitude of industries. A worker in this field may have different job duties depending on their chosen area of study. However, all social workers aim to serve people. Individuals are drawn to this field of work for a variety of reasons. The four benefits of a social worker are: having a rewarding career, job security, pay, and diversity.
Rewarding Career
Most individuals want to have a job where they feel like they are impacting society for the good. Social work offers just that. This area of the workforce attracts people who would like to dedicate themselves to helping others. No matter the area of study, each worker identifies and eliminates problems in other people’s lives. Those who choose social work as a lifelong commitment should rest in knowing that they are positively impacting those around them.
Social work offers numerous career paths. Socialworkers.org lists opportunities for skilled workers in the following fields: administration management, advocacy, communication organization, aging, health care, politics, the justice and correctional system, child welfare, mental health, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, school social work, and more. Those who choose social work should not have difficulty finding employment in an area they desire. Workers can be found in doctors’ offices, hospitals, nursing homes, residential treatment centers, rehabilitation centers, schools, courthouses, and agencies.
Remote work is also an exciting and attractive benefit that makes this career rewarding. Businesses and companies alike are starting to welcome the idea of long-term work-from-home positions, and social work is no exclusion. Industries like healthcare, non-profits, education, and online counseling offer more flexible social work jobs.
Job Security
Possibly the most significant benefit of a social worker is job security. No one wants to spend time and money getting an education only to get out of school and not get a job. However, this should not be an issue in this field. Projections by the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that by 2026, the number of social workers needs to increase from 680,000 to over 790,000. More social workers will predominantly be required for the child, family, and school social work areas. This is good news for anyone looking to enter the field of social work. Job security is always something to consider when searching for career opportunities.
Social work does not appear to be over-saturated like many other fields. There will always be people in need of social workers’ services, making this a smart choice for someone who values job security.
Pay
Income can be seen as one of the benefits of a social worker. So, how much does a social worker make? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social workers had an average median income of $46,840. Several factors affect pay rates, such as location and occupation. However, since the demand for workers in this field is increasing, one can suspect that social workers’ pay range will likely improve. Pay is always a consideration when choosing a career, and workers make well over minimum wage in every state across America. One can expect their pay to increase if they decide to further their education. It is estimated that the highest-paid workers make above 80,000 per year.
While this field is currently not the most lucrative, the income of a social worker in relation to the job opportunities available is a benefit that cannot be denied.
Diversity
As a social worker, you can expect to have many different clients. Social workers help people of all different backgrounds, ethnicities, and socio-economic statuses. Additionally, those who pursue social work often serve people of all ages. Those who enter family services may help children, while those who enter into a nursing home setting focus on the elderly. Those who choose to specialize in developmental disabilities will get to improve the quality of life of mentally disabled individuals. The field of work is vast.
Diversity does not just mean diversity of people, but a diverse field of study itself. Another good thing about such a diverse field is the opportunity to switch specialties. A social worker does not have to stick to a certain area for their entire career. They can easily choose to make a career switch if they want to experience other areas of social work.
People Helping People
All in all, social work does hold some incredible benefits. The benefits of being a social worker seem to outweigh any negatives. However, many leaders in this field suggest that the most important factor that should be examined when determining whether or not one should pursue social work is simple- the heart. Having a passion for service, wanting to better the lives of others, and dedicating one’s own life to changing others’ lives is the name of the game. If one finds themselves wanting to immerse themselves in a career in which they can see the profound positive impact they can make on others, social work may be the career path for them.
To get help in your journey to good mental health in the Los Angeles area, contact the Story Wellness team at (866) 476-2823 today!
