Social workers help people deal with barriers—physical or mental illness, poverty, and drug and alcohol addiction to name just a few—that are preventing them from functioning well in their environments. They work in hospitals, schools, colleges, community agencies, nursing homes and prisons.
Social workers must be compassionate and sensitive to the needs of others. They must be able to explain themselves well verbally and be able to follow directions and understand written language. To become a social worker, you must earn at least a bachelor's degree, but a master's degree is required for many jobs and is a must for those who want to provide mental health counseling (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition).
As with any career, you should explore this one thoroughly before you commit your time and money to preparing for it. First read Social Worker: Career Information to get some basic details about this occupation, including earnings, job outlook and advancement opportunities. Then read How to Become a Social Worker to find out what you need to do to prepare to enter this field. It is also a good idea to interview a social worker. He or she will be able to tell you what it's really like. For help deciding whether this career is a good fit for you, take the Should You Become a Social Worker? quiz.
More: Mental Health Careers
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