becoming a social worker
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photo by steed media service
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work in progress w/dewayne rogers
One of the most underappreciated, but vital jobs in this society is that of a social worker. Underpaid and overworked, the industry definition of a social worker is one who, according to CNN Money “interviews, coordinates, and plans programs and activities to meet the social and emotional needs of their clients and clients’ family. A social worker also provides crisis intervention and assists families in understanding the implications and complexities of the medical situation and its impact on one’s lifestyle.” A social worker’s primary job is to protect the welfare of the family — particularly when it comes to the needs of the children involved. So if your heart pulls you in the direction of this noble calling, then this may be the field for you.
Is This for Me?
When deciding if you could spend your life devoted to such an emotional profession, a good first step is to volunteer as a social worker’s aide. This will give you an up close and personal view of how you handle the stress of the job. The key to being a great social worker is having the ability to care about the families without becoming emotionally attached to each case. If you find yourself getting too personal during the volunteer period, then this may not be the field for you.
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photo by steed media service
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What do I Need?
Once you’ve decided that this is the career for you, the next step is to obtain the proper education. While your major can vary, most employers prefer to hire graduates who major in social work, sociology, psychology or a related field.
Sign Me Up
You must obtain your bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year university. Below is a list of schools which offer qualified programs to provide you with the educational tools you’ll need to begin your journey towards a career as a social worker.
Atlanta
Georgia State University
www.gsu.edu
Clark Atlanta University
www.cau.edu
Chicago
Northwestern University
www.northwestern.edu
University of Chicago
www.maroon.uchicago.edu
Los Angeles
California State University-Los Angeles
www.calstatela.edu
UCLA
www.ucla.edu
New York
New York University
www.nyu.edu
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