Situations will crop up, so you have to be flexible and ready to respond at short notice. Social work allows you to appreciate the best in life. My social workers were my first insight to what a social worker is and what a social worker does. #selflove, #keepgoing #youarestrong #youarestrongerthanyouth, Such an important message! Why I Became a Social Worker. Thank you for celebrating Social Work Month with us and recognizing the amazing, gifted individuals who enrich the lives of others through their work as social workers. Why I became a social worker. Although teaching and social work were once considered traditional women’s careers, the two professions have both some other similarities and some differences. There are really good days and there are also really bad days. I would love to be a social worker working with young children and their families, and am planning to start my degree soon. Social workers almost never enter the field for love of money or fear of lacking job security – they do it because they love to help people. Often, social workers are individuals with extensive educations, and they are often working with clients with very little education and low socioeconomic status. I also appreciate the many available micro, macro and mezzo career opportunities, and inspiring colleagues that make our world a better place.” We are advocates, mediators and signposters; the professionals tasked with upholding legal frameworks and committed to achieving social justice. I love that!” The social worker would ask him a series of questions, and he would answer them. Please contact the editor for permission to reproduce or reprint any materials on this site. Social Work is a great profession!” In honor of Social Work Month 2016, we’re sharing a snapshot of the answers we’ve received each Friday in March. – Dorlee Michaeli, MBA, LMSW is a psychotherapist and fellow at the Training Institute for Mental Health, and a mental health writer at PsychCentral. I’ve met with clients in jails, homeless encampments, and gang-infested neighborhoods. of Alabama at Birmingham, Linda May Grobman, MSW, ACSW, LSW,,Publisher/Editor, The New Social Worker magazine, Matthew Cohen, MSW, CEO, Social Justice Solutions, Melanie Sage, Assistant Professor of Social Work, BSW Director at UND, Mozart Guerrier, MSW, Executive Director of 21 Progress, Nancy J. Smyth, PhD, LCSW, Dean and Professor, UB School of Social Work, Nathalie P. Jones, PhD, MSW, Assist. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing tremendous resilience and healing and, of course, deep pain and loss. The inspiration I receive from my peers and the wide range of … – Laura Reagan, LCSW-C is a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and consultant specializing in treating trauma and sexual violence. Telehealth & Coping with COVID-19: Resources for Therapists, Guest Post: 5 Invitations for the Aging Services Professional, Guest Post: Fair Wages for Social Workers, How to Give a Social Work Clinical Case Presentation. We start with a set of core values and the concept of Person In Environment (PIE) and then develop transferable skills that help us build such unique careers in the field. Sharon Martin has a passion for clinical supervision, mentoring new social workers, blogging, and reading all things social work related. Looking back on it now, I realize how little I actually did know about social work and I am so grateful that I took a chance and majored in it. – Jill Johnson-Young, LCSW has had a career in Child Protective Services, hospice, and private practice. Advocates. This can happen with any field, but it's really who you know in social work which is what I'm figuring out. Pros of being a social worker: Variety – Social workers have a variety of fields to choose from. Our world needs more professionals who view people not just as another worker or number, but as holistic people with a variety of motivators, worldviews, and needs. Professor, Tarleton State University, Nicole Clark, LMSW, Evaluator, and Consultant, Reeta Wolfsohn, CMSW, Center for Financial Social Work, Sean Erreger, LCSW, Case Manager, Adjunct Instructor, Social Media Evangelist, Steve Whitmore, LMSW, ThriveWorks Counseling, Free Mental Health Webinars, December 2020, Best in Mental Health for Sept and Oct 2020, Free Mental Health Webinars, October 2020. Many social workers have never had similar experiences to the lives of their clients. I love the lens of social work that supports me to see each woman as the expert, the central character, narrator, and author of her story. Sharon has worked extensively in Bay Area non-profits and successfully runs a private counseling practice in San Jose. We are afraid that we won’t know what to do, afraid of differences, afraid of hurting children more by not knowing how to ask the right questions or asking the wrong questions. Sharon writes regularly for PsychCentral and the Good Men Project. Many social workers find work in government schools and organizations. I also love being able to shift perspectives on mental health, emotional wellness, and what it looks like to reach out for support and create a healthy tribe for healing!” Being challenged with difficult situations on a daily basis is not all doom and gloom. As I read through these testimonials, I am so impressed with the multitude of ways that social workers are transforming the world. All rights reserved. When you train to be a social worker, you are trained in all aspects of the profession, from mental health to child protection. It is not intended to nor should it be used as supervision or clinical guidance, or to diagnose or treat any mental health or medical issues. With world-class production and customer support, your satisfaction is guaranteed. Social Work school taught me HOW “…a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world,” as Margaret Mead said. The most meaningful work is that of supporting her as she begins to understand and practice the subtle shifts in language, movement, and transition in light of the whole picture.” I have also gotten great satisfaction from supervising and mentoring social work students and pre-licensed social workers. Check out The Banshee as published in Youth Today the “only independent, nationally distributed print and digital newspaper that is read by thousands of professionals in the youth service field.”. I have enjoyed a career in social work for the past two decades. Singer, Ph.D., LCSW, Assoc. We’d love to hear from you too. Buy 'I Love Being A Social Worker' by ThingsByJoy as a Essential T-Shirt Discover Being A Social Worker T-Shirt, a custom product made just for you by Teespring. #selflove #selfcompassi. One day a lady came with her brief case and it was his social worker.The little boy had been considered as being neglected, by his mother. I only endorse products I truly believe in. If you would like to tell us your story, please send it in an email, with a photo, to the Bulletin Editor.. Amber Johnson This is a huge part of being s social worker for me. – Mercedes Samudio, LCSW is a Parent Coach, Adjunct Professor of psychology, and the author of the Amazon best-seller Shame Proof Parenting. Being a social worker means serving those who need our help, and living our values of giving back and being advocates, and it is an amazing career for those who share those values.” But this is all aside. Being a support worker has also helped to Improve my confidence, patience, been my passion and becoming a social worker will mean actualities my long awaited dream. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It is a privilege to affirm her ability to be the creator of her future storyline without staying identified with the past chapters. Being a social worker can be trying at times, but the opportunity to make a strong positive impact is immeasurable. 6 Blogging Tools that Make Blogging Faster and Easier, Blog Like a Pro: Blogging Class for Therapists, #beyourself #authentic #peoplepleaser #codependenc, What do you think? She is also the host of the popular podcast Therapy Chat. I learned about social action and the process of making positive changes. I always knew that I wanted to have a job in the helping professions, ... difference in job opportunities between high school graduates and bachelor’s degree holders who were interested in being in … Personally, I’ve worked in community mental health, at homeless shelters, and private practice. For most of my early adult life I remained steadfastly uncertain about what my future held. March is Social Work Month – an opportunity to celebrate and honor social workers and the important work they do. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. If you are an emotionally resilient person, you’ll find that being a social worker also allows you to appreciate the little things in life so many people take for granted. Rebecca meets Danielle to find out what a day in the life of a Social Worker is all about. https://socialworkcoaching.com/why-i-love-being-a-social-worker As per the 25 responses provided, social workers are inclined to love their profession for the following reasons: it’s the best job with social justice values underlying all work; it offers flexibility and portability; they are able to help heal and/or problem solve; they help make the world a better place; they are able to train others to become social workers and they love their colleagues. Her career in social work has led her to explore the emotional resilience, strategy, and creativity required for entrepreneurship and created a platform for her to work with business owners all over the world. What I love about social work is the profession itself. Start looking for a job as soon as possible. Working at an after school program, I deal with kids that come from all different types of home lives. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to help others on their healing journey; this gives my life meaning and joy. We are afraid of producing more hurt by … According to Open University (2013) [internet], social work is a profession which aims to protect children and adult from harm whatever their age, gender and cultural background. “I love being a Social Worker because the core value of social justice is so central to who I am as a person. – Charlotte Hiler Easley, LCSW is a clinician who runs A Woman’s Life Equine Assisted Consulting, Therapy, and Workshops that are designed with a heart for helping women thrive (sometimes a horse or two may be involved!). When our training combines with our passion for the work, we are able to touch individual lives AND impact international issues.” All material on this website is copyrighted by Social Work Career. “I love being a social worker because I have had such a diverse and fulfilling career with the skills that come from being an LCSW. Sometimes this creates an atmosphere of misunderstanding between the social worker and client. Being a social work major means that I … Surprisingly, I am opposed to political interventions and rarely get frustrated with the changes. Something we can’t do as a social worker is force people to do things if they don’t agree, and why would we want to. Buy 'I Love Being A Social Worker' by ThingsByJoy as a Cotton Tote Bag In some situations, you may even save lives. Champions. But I want you to be aware of what may wait on the other side. We asked our members why they became a social worker and here are some of the responses we received. Teachers Vs. Social Workers. Sometimes being a social worker can just be straight up exhausting. Prof.| Founder/Host of the Social Work Podcast, Karen Zgoda, MSW, LCSW, Instructor, Researcher, Editor, Laurel Iverson Hitchcock, PhD, MPH, LICSW, PIP, Assist Prof. at Univ. My reasons for wanting to become a Social worker are quite varied, the main one being to assist people in realising their potential and helping them reach their goals, and at this stage of my life I believe the experiences I have gained are extremely transferable in terms of working with the general public; but overall I can now offer the Social work profession and its clients a committed and caring … This page may contain affiliate links which means I receive a small commission on items purchased. Why I Became a Social Worker. The charge was that she was mentally ill. From policy, politics and private practice to home visits, community centers, and non-profits, social workers work is micro, macro, mezzo and all parts in between. The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet basic and complex needs of all people, with a particular focus on those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. I have reunified families with abuse histories, helped find loving adoptive homes for children whose parents could not parent them, supported adoptive families as they sought to ensure their kids had everything they needed to thrive, had the honor of being with families and patients facing terminal illness, death, and the grief that followed. Testimonials from Clients and Supervisors, Social Worker Month: 10 Reasons for Social Workers to Stand Up, Amy Morin, LCSW, Speaker, Author, Psychotherapist, Cathy Hanville, LCSW, Psychotherapist and Private Practice Consultant, Claudia Megele, Head of Service & Principal Social Worker at Wiltshire Council, Courtney Kidd, LCSW, PhD Student, Co-Founder and CEO, Social Justice Solutions, Deona Hooper, MSW, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Social Work Helper, Dima Dupéré, MSW, RSW, Psychotherapy Services / Services de psychothérapie, Ellen Belluomini, LCSW, Lecturer, Higher Education Consultant, Innovator, Jennifer Taylor, LCSW, RPT, Registered Play Therapist, TF-CBT & EMDR Clinician, Jonathan B. I started asking my social workers how do I become a social worker. While in college, I can major in the field of social work or closely related field. Top reasons to become a social worker. Furthermore, for every child, adult, and family we help as social workers, we transform communities where clients can grow & thrive, creating healthier foundations for future generations. It’s challenged me in ways I never expected, touched my heart in profound ways, and allowed me to build deep connections with so many people – both colleagues and clients – that I otherwise wouldn’t have the honor of knowing. This is because I choose to dedicate my focus on improving my … I am now in private practice, where I can work with clients who fit my skills and devote time to supporting families facing dementia and volunteering in my community. It’s such a joy to see them grow and develop not only their skills but their confidence and “professional self”. “I love being a social worker because I get to watch families heal and parents find the confidence to be healthy guides for their children. Currently, I run a private psychotherapy practice in San Jose, CA and write about mental health for PsychCentral and other websites. I just wanted to hear from others how their days can vary. I love being a social worker, I thrive on keeping children safe and creating healthy and happy memories for them. To know so many people are dedicated to working for others. My need comes from knowing that changing the world starts with helping one person and being able to empathize with them. Everyone, including those from difficult circumstances, deserves to live a fulfilling life and to have someone on their side willing to fight for them. "Because social workers are in the business of people. Being a social worker is about advocating for the children whose voices were silenced by the situation they have no choice but to be in. To use this site so you Think you want to be a social career! My first insight to what a why i love being a social worker worker and client 2018 is workers... 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