2 answers
Daleen
Student
Ohio, Ohio
5
Questions
Asked
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What kind of job can you get with a social work major?
Will a major in social work give me the education to have an actual job in the non-profit sector, or will it give me the training to be a volunteer? What sort of job can I get with a Social Work major and how can I help people?
#social-work #volunteering
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2 answers
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1738
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Daleen,
Wow~ what a question! So, how exactly do you want to "help" people? Since you love to write (from one of your other questions...), you could combine your writing skills with your social work, and become a professional grant writer. Grant writers obtain funding for non-profit programs. Although this would not be hands-on, it would definitely provide the means to help! You would want to take a course in budget, maybe even a minor in finance or business.
The local Girl Scouts have been doing a lot of hiring. I have seen indications that they pay rather well.
The courts hire people to work with crime victims (such as rape victims) to help them navigate the various things they have to do after reporting the crime.
There is a website, Guidestar.org, where you can look up nonprofits by city or state to get an idea of what is out there, and, more importantly, there assets.
Basically, with a social work degree, you will be able to market yourself in many different directions. It will be up to you to show that you have the transferrable job skills that relate to the position for which you are applying. Resume writing is an art. The more you do it, the better you will become.
In the meantime, get some work or volunteer experience. And, perhaps most importantly, get really good at using technology. That seems to be one of the most important factors in hiring decisions. Word, Excel, PowerPoint are the basics. Adobe Professional, cloud based software, all things Google, etc. You need to stay at the forefront of technology to be able to create presentations, flyers, etc.
Let me know if I can be of further help.
Kim
Wow~ what a question! So, how exactly do you want to "help" people? Since you love to write (from one of your other questions...), you could combine your writing skills with your social work, and become a professional grant writer. Grant writers obtain funding for non-profit programs. Although this would not be hands-on, it would definitely provide the means to help! You would want to take a course in budget, maybe even a minor in finance or business.
The local Girl Scouts have been doing a lot of hiring. I have seen indications that they pay rather well.
The courts hire people to work with crime victims (such as rape victims) to help them navigate the various things they have to do after reporting the crime.
There is a website, Guidestar.org, where you can look up nonprofits by city or state to get an idea of what is out there, and, more importantly, there assets.
Basically, with a social work degree, you will be able to market yourself in many different directions. It will be up to you to show that you have the transferrable job skills that relate to the position for which you are applying. Resume writing is an art. The more you do it, the better you will become.
In the meantime, get some work or volunteer experience. And, perhaps most importantly, get really good at using technology. That seems to be one of the most important factors in hiring decisions. Word, Excel, PowerPoint are the basics. Adobe Professional, cloud based software, all things Google, etc. You need to stay at the forefront of technology to be able to create presentations, flyers, etc.
Let me know if I can be of further help.
Kim
Angela Chan
Social services manager, Community advocate, Experienced in partnership and collaboration development
57
Answers
Sunnyvale, California
Updated
Angela’s Answer
Hi Daleen:
Yes, a social work education will allow you to work in non-profit organizations and many other settings (i.e. schools, hospitals, nursing homes, colleges, etc.)
Yes, a social work education will give you training as a volunteer. Most, if not all, social work programs require hands on practice through an internship in the program. So in both 3rd and 4th year in a BA social work program, students will interview and get matched with an organization to do a practicum and get school credit in a class. This will allow you to explore populations and settings you are passionate about. I learned I loved working in schools and hated hospital settings during my social work education, which gave me direction and saved me tons of time since I learned early on what I don't like.
Good luck,
angela
Yes, a social work education will allow you to work in non-profit organizations and many other settings (i.e. schools, hospitals, nursing homes, colleges, etc.)
Yes, a social work education will give you training as a volunteer. Most, if not all, social work programs require hands on practice through an internship in the program. So in both 3rd and 4th year in a BA social work program, students will interview and get matched with an organization to do a practicum and get school credit in a class. This will allow you to explore populations and settings you are passionate about. I learned I loved working in schools and hated hospital settings during my social work education, which gave me direction and saved me tons of time since I learned early on what I don't like.
Good luck,
angela