So You Want to be a Social Worker: How to make money and inspire Cheryl D. Bristor-Wilson, LCSW,CADC,CEAP CDB & Associates Adjunct faculty @ Harold Washington College Interim Director of a Union based Employee Assistance Program cbristor@ccc.edu

As a social worker, you advocate for others, be they young or old. You'll work with clients from every station in life, and  sometimes dire economic situations, to ease them through transitions, hardships, and mentally-tough times. You'll be the person who assists them in finding the proper resources to get the care or supplement they need to sustain a certain quality of life You may be the link between people and care-givers in the health and psychology professions. As a social worker, you'll find reward, take risks, and offer viable options for those who may not be capable—or willing— to help themselves.  

On the job, direct social workers will: Identify those in need Help people of all life stages cope with and solve everyday problems Advocate for and develop plans to improve clients' well-being Research and refer clients to community resources Work with individuals, families or groups Respond to clients in crisis situations Work in a variety of public and private organizations  Clinical social workers will: Observe client behavior, assess needs and create treatment strategies Diagnose psychological, behavioral and emotional disorders Develop and put treatment plans in place Consult with doctors, therapists and medical professionals Administer social service programs Instruct clients' families during treatment

What education do I need to become a social worker? A bachelor's degree in social work is the most common requirement for entry-level social work positions. These degrees prepare candidates for jobs as caseworkers and assistants. They require many hours of supervised fieldwork or an internship. Some employers hire social workers with a bachelor’s in a related field such as psychology or sociology. All clinical social workers must earn a master's in social work. This will take one- to-two years to obtain. You can work toward a master's in social work even if your undergraduate degree is in a different field. Becoming a licensed clinical social worker requires 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience after graduating with your master's. Licensing and certification guidelines for psychologists vary by state so be sure to check the guidelines for the region in which you plan to study.

What career paths can I take in social work? Social workers are involved with every aspect of the population. You can work in hospitals and clinics, nursing homes, community mental health clinics, government, schools, substance abuse clinics, military bases and hospitals, and in private practice. You can choose to work with a specific population, such as with teenagers, the incarcerated, families and the elderly.

Family and school social workers $41,530 Mental health social workers Social Work Career Median Annual Salary* Health social workers $54,560 Family and school social workers $41,530 Mental health social workers $39,980 All other types of social workers Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition,

How do I advance in my social work career? Though a bachelor's degree is the requirement for most direct-services social workers, earning a master's degree will help considerably if you want to move up the ladder and become a clinical social worker. Another way to improve your job outlook is to become licensed. Licensure varies by state, but all states require some type of certification or licensure, and all states require clinical social workers to be licensed. Still, no discussion of social work salary and job outlook is complete without talking about the rewards that money can’t buy. Dollars and cents aside, social work is a career where "making a difference" is not an empty buzzword, but an exciting and very real opportunity.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) The four-year Bachelor of Social Work degree is commonly the base requirement for a job in social work. It prepares students for direct service positions on the individual or community level through a curriculum that may centers on basic individual and family support services, national social welfare policy, casework planning and intervention strategies. Accredited BSW programs also require at least 400 hours of supervised field experience. For this reason, the BSW is also the minimum qualification for most state social work licensing and certification programs.

Master of Social Work (MSW) An advanced social work degree, such as the two-year MSW has become a standard requirement for most specialized positions in social work, such as clinical, policy and administration work. In addition to class work, a minimum of 900 supervised hours is required for this advanced social work degree, in the form of field instruction or an internship. Fluency in a second language is also extremely helpful.

Doctoral Programs Doctoral social work degree programs generally take between two and four years to complete, and focus heavily on research techniques, as well as qualitative and quantitative analysis methods. All doctoral social work degree programs culminate in the presentation of a well-researched student dissertation, which can take a year or more to finish.

How long will it take? Depending upon your level of dedication, a social work major can take the following time to complete: The BSW is a 4-year general practitioner degree Master's degree programs generally require one to two years Doctorate programs generally take between two and four years Accredited BSW programs also require at least 400 hours of supervised field experience

Are there prerequisites? Undergraduate: A strong college preparatory high school education is a good start for your social work degree program. Courses in sociology, science, math, child development, political science, social studies, and a foreign language are important for prospective social workers. Graduate: A completed, four-year Bachelor of Social Work, or bachelor's degree in psychology, education or another field will prepare you for graduate school. Any electives you’ve taken in psychology and/or education will be valuable in your graduate work. GRE: Check with the institution and program you plan to apply to, to find out whether the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for admission. If it's not, but you’ve taken the test and have good scores, you may submit them for review with your admission materials. Part-time or volunteer work at a social services agency can also provide a good foundation for students and prospective graduate students, and anyone interested in social work.

What kind of companies hire social workers? Take a look below to see where social workers are working today. The following industries employ the most social workers: Individual and family services Hospitals and health care facilities State and local government agencies Elementary and secondary schools Nursing and residential care facilities Inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance abuse clinics