Career questions tagged social-work
What kind of social work do you do?
I'm a freshman in college considering social work.
What kind of education do you need to become a social worker?
Considering this career
What is the most rewarding thing about being a social worker?
Considering this as a career.
What are different jobs I could have as a social worker?
I'm considering this career.
Why did you become a social worker?
I am curious to learn about why people like social work as a job.
What is your favorite thing about being a social worker?
Considering being a caseworker with child protection services or working in foster care.
Whether to shift from drug discovery to human-centered fields?
I am currently a junior international student majoring in Pharmaceutical Sciences. When I entered college, I aspired to pursue a career in drug research. However, as I progress through my major, I find myself increasingly uncertain about whether this path aligns with who I am. This uncertainty became clearer after taking a quarter of computer science, a field now intertwined with scientific research. While I understand its importance, I realized that I struggle in highly efficiency-driven environments. I tend to be more reflective, sentimental, and drawn to meaning-making rather than optimization and competition. At the same time, I have strong interests and abilities in literature, documentary film, and emotional understanding, which make me feel more aligned with human-centered fields such as mental health counseling or social work. However, I grew up in a culture where science-oriented careers were viewed as the most “practical” or “valuable,” and I never seriously explored alternative paths. Now, as an international student close to graduation, I am concerned about the feasibility, and cost of changing direction. I am respectfully seeking advice from professionals who have experience in: drug discovery or scientific research, mental health counseling or social work, or interdisciplinary careers that apply science to human-centered fields. Specifically, I would appreciate insight on: -Whether there are realistic pathways that allow one to remain connected to science while working in human-centered or mental health–related roles? -What factors I should consider, given my international student status, when deciding whether to pivot at this stage? Thank you very much for your time and insight!
What is the best entry for being an international tourism professional? Is there an international body that unites all tourism professionals around the globe?
I am currently a student at Makerere University of Tourism and Hospitality Management in my second year. The program is for three years. My interest is in tours and travel around the world incorporated with social work. I want to do tourism for social wellbeing. My hobbies are traveling, movies, music, dance. I am currently volunteering with a social organization as a youth mentor in Kampala, Uganda.
How do I know if I should pursue my MSW?
How do I know if I should pursue my MSW? I’m early in my career and work in marketing, and I dislike the corporate 9-5 culture. I want to find more meaningful work that suits my soft skills better. Mental health has always been of importance to me and I want to be more people-centered, and honestly I would enjoy the prospect of working remotely or having my control over my schedule as well. I’m trying to find something I will enjoy long-term. For more context, I had also considered ESL teaching (i didnt enjoy lesson planning or public speaking) and also copywriting (i didnt want to turn a hobby into an occupation) so I kept going back to this. My own therapist even told me to look into social work as an option, and I’ve been doing some research ever since. She knows I worry about being stuck in something once I choose to pursue it. I was initially confident about this decision to go back to school and I have the support to do so, but after some recent conversations, I fear burn-out and having a stressful/large caseload once I’m in it. I would love any insight into this, what should go into my decision making, what to be aware of, etc. Thank you! (Edit: I already have my Bachelors. This would be a career change. And when I say pursuing my MSW I specifically mean going the clinical route and receiving my LCSW.)
What does a ‘day in the life’ actually look like for a child welfare social worker?
I am a psychology major who is really interested in becoming a child welfare social worker, and I'd like some advice on what to expect from the job . I think hearing from a professional about what the job actually looks like on a day-to-day basis would really help me decide whether this is the right career path for me.
What’s the most emotionally challenging part of being a child welfare social worker, and how do you cope with it?
I am a psychology major who is really interested in becoming a child welfare social worker, and I'd like some advice on what to expect from the job and how to prepare for it. Especially the emotional aspect as someone who's highly empathetic.
How has becoming a social worker affected your local community?
#fall2025 #communitycollege
how would i get to work as a social worker at 14 as a small career person?
how would i get work with kids or people at a young age and when will i get to work them and why would it take so long to get with the social working program
What do I need to do to get my foot in the door to Child Life Specialist field early ?
I am a Social Work student and I have no idea where to start with Child Life because I have a hard time finding people near me that are in the feild.
What is the best studying strategy to manage your time, stay focused, and actually retain the information you need?
I am currently a senior in high school, applying for scholarships when I start my freshman year at Walla Walla University in Fall 2026. My goal is to get a bachelor's degree in social work and become a clinical case manager.
What is some advice you would give a High school senior who wants to major in psychology and looking into social work?
I'm interested in going into social work but I am not sure If i should take a major in psychology or major in social work. Is there a main difference between the two?
What education is needed to become a social worker in NY #fall25?
Don’t know if the money is good enough for the amount of education needed, do I need a doctorate?
Where am I able to find great internships as a Sociology major?
I am currently a student at Central Piedmont Community College transferring to a four-year institution in the Summer ‘26. I’m majoring in Sociology and planning to use my degree in the field of Social Work. Unsure of which direction to look in, as I’m struggling to find internships and other programs that better assist me.
What are some good electives to chose when you’re going to school for social work #Fall25?
I’m going back to school after 8 years to finish out my degree! I’m having to start in community college and then move over to a university, wish me luck! What are some electives that are enjoyable and pertains to my career goal?
Should I switch my major from LADC to Social Work?
I'm a single mom of two teens, almost 40, so I have TONS of loved experience. I recently got back into college, took two classes over the summer, and I'm starting fall classes in a week pursuing my LADC. However, a few years ago, I decided that I wanted to be a Social Worker. Somehow this summer, I thought that I should be an LADC, but now I'm thinking that I'm not following my heart, and that I could help more people if I did have a social work degree vs just a LADC. I'm hoping for some opinions. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME!!!!
How can I get ahead of the social work path I want to follow as a recent graduate??
I recently graduated high school and I'm planning on starting college next year to pursue social work. Because of complications with my financial assistance, I'm going to work to hopefully cover some of my school costs. Ideally. getting a job that would help me on my social work path would be great but I'm not sure where I could find opportunities like that in my area that's both paid and in that line of work. I also know it would be a reach to find anything like that since I have no experience. The closest thing I've got is a referral from my mom who works in healthcare to a patient services assistant at a local hospital-- so I'd just be getting insurance info from patients. I haven't applied to it yet and I'm not sure if I'll even get it. I'm unsure of where to look or who to ask for anything social work related around me. I really just want any experience now that will help me when I start school and to build my resume for future opportunities.
how do i get on the social work career path ?
my end goal would be become self contacted and have my own social work company
What is the best career pathway for broad job opportunities: a doctorate in behavioral health or a master's in social work?
I hold a bachelor's degree in public health, a master's degree in public health, and a certificate in community and behavioral health. I want a pathway that will help me get a job more easily in most job sectors. Now I am thinking about a doctorate in behavioral health from the Cummins Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies or a master's in social work from NYU? Which career pathway should I choose?
What type of certifications to navigate a career in crisis prevention?
I have just an associates in marketing management and I would like to know what additional certifications in or centered around ( crisis prevention) ? I want to possibly work with planned parenthood and or similar programs. My passion is lowering numbers of single parent homes AND ADVOCATE the outcomes of children and young adults that were raised in dysfunctional upbringings. There is a direct impact of children and young adults that grow up with dysfunctional single mothers/fathers that couldn't provide them with certain tools AND give them a negative outlook on themselves and the real world affecting their way of functioning in society. It's important to lower the numbers of children/young adults that are force to live a dysfunctional life due to parents who are not ready to be healthy fulfilling parents. This is my passion and goal. I just don't know how to get there and make it into a career with just an associates marketing degree and no certifications ( as of yet) I'm also open to volunteering and interning.
Should I plan on getting a master's in social work if I want to advocate for children with special needs?#
I worked as an intern in a school for children with special needs and would enjoy being an advocate for them to ensure their needs are met.
Is social work rewarding enough to make stable life What types of internships should I look into? If I wanted to do something with law and social work what should I do ??
Is social work rewarding enough to make stable life ? What types of internships should I look into? If I wanted to do something with law and social work what should I do ?
What makes you feel motivated to keep moving forward even when you are in your lowest in your life?
I live a life where everything is a bit harder due to me having guarantee undiagnosed ADHD. I push myself everyday because I know I am worth something and I don't want to stop myself when I have everything in my hands. I have been doubted by so many people where it started to get to me, then I remind myself of where I am today and push myself to the limit where I thought wasn't possible. I want to live a happy life where I consider it happy and fulfilled. I am happy of where I am today, and want to thank everyone who has supported me through my journey.
What is the most difficult part about being a clinical social worker?
Following grad school, I hope to become a clinical social worker and play therapist. I want to know tips about the licensure, and how to be successful!
What other professional license(s)/credentials should I pursue after getting my BSW and Iowa license?
I’m not necessarily looking for any specific answers due to how marketable a social workers degree is, but I just want to know what else is out there.