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Social Work as a Career Choice

Social Work as a Career Choice. Developed by: The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – California Chapter Objective: To provide helpful information and resources regarding the social work profession, education, and careers. Social Work History.

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Social Work as a Career Choice

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  1. Social Work as a Career Choice • Developed by: The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – California Chapter • Objective: To provide helpful information and resources regarding the social work profession, education, and careers

  2. Social Work History • Celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 1998 • Americans enjoy many benefits today that are a result of early social workers • Examples of Benefits: Civil rights, Medicaid, Medicare, unemployment insurance, disability pay, social security, etc.

  3. Social Work’s Future • Currently 600,000 people hold SW degrees • According to the Dept of Labor, SW is one of the fastest growing careers in the US • SW is expected to grow 30% by 2010 • State initiatives, legislation, and demographics trends impact the need for social workers

  4. What Social Workers Do • Help individuals, couples, and families to overcome social and health problems such as poverty, mental illness, abuse and neglect, illness, domestic violence, addictions, eating disorders, etc. • Offer an unique approach because SW focuses on people’s problems in the context of their social environments

  5. Largest Provider ofMental Health Services • In 1998, there were more than 190,000 clinically trained social workers • More social workers than psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric nurses combined • SW considered one of five core mental health professions

  6. Common Work Activities • Providing services to address social, emotional, and economic needs • Referring clients for appropriate professional or community services • Developing resources, programs, and social policies to address unmet needs

  7. Common Work Activities • Coordinating and working with governmental, private, civic, religious, and business organizations to combat social problems • Assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health and emotional problems • Researching, planning, and developing social and health policies and programs

  8. Important Personal Qualities • A desire to make a difference • Good interpersonal communication • An ability to be non-judgmental • An appreciation of human diversity • Personal Integrity

  9. Important Personal Qualities • Willing to make challenging decisions • A commitment to social justice • An ability to relate empathically • A respect for others’ privacy • A genuine concern for others

  10. Schools Hospitals Mental Health Clinics Senior Centers Jails and Prisons Private Practice Military Civic and Social Organizations Universities Associations Corporations Government Elected Office Public Agencies Private Agencies Business Social Work Employers

  11. Mental Health Disaster Relief Foster Care Crisis Intervention Gerontology Child Abuse Substance Abuse Family Planning Corrections Private Practice SW Research Planning & Policy Occupational SW Domestic Violence Medical SW Public Welfare Examples of SW Specialties

  12. Social Work Career Websites • For more on SW specialties and career information, visit these websites: http://www.socialworkers.org/pressroom/features/general/profession.asp http://www.socialworkers.org/profession/factsheet.htm • The Occupational Outlook Handbook also gives details about social work careers at http://www.bls.gov under “occupations”

  13. NASW 5-Minute Video • Demonstrates how social workers make a difference every day • Features three social workers working in three distinct areas of social work • Provides a snapshot of what SWs do • See video at www.HelpStartsHere.org

  14. Educational Requirements • Must have a social work degree from a college or university program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). • For a nationwide list of accredited SW programs go to http://www.cswe.org

  15. Social Work Degrees • BSW prepares for generalist entry-level work • MSW prepares one for more advanced clinical practice (Required to do psychotherapy) • DSW or PhD prepares for research or teaching at university level

  16. BSW Curriculum • Components include general and supportive liberal arts and sciences and the social work curriculum foundation, which includes fieldwork • Focus is on understanding how people function in relation to their environment and enhancing relationships

  17. MSW Curriculum • Curriculum based on the study of human behavior and the social environment, social policy and practice, and social work research, which includes an internship • Emphasizes social justice, the value of human diversity, and empowerment of people and communities • Generally offers areas of concentration

  18. Doctoral Curriculum • Designed for experienced SWs • Course works emphasizes qualitative and quantitative analysis methods • Leads to teaching, research, leadership roles, or self-employed private practice as a psychotherapist

  19. Stipend Programs • Often funded through public sources • Meet work force needs in specific fields • Stipends are educational awards to assist with costs such as tuition, books, and living expenses • The student must work for a period of time in the field of specialization

  20. CA Stipend Programs • Title IV-E Child Welfare Program (BSW and MSW students) • Mental Health Program (MSW students) • Provides up to $18,500 per year for education expenses for students who commit to working in field after graduation for a specific timeframe • Visit: http://calswec.berkeley.edu

  21. Loan Forgiveness Programs • Allow graduates to repay educational loans by working in a designated area of service for a specified time • Majority of programs require applicants to have a clinical social work license • More information in Financial Aid Resource for SW Education found on www.naswca.org under “Career Center”

  22. Clinical Social Work • Purpose is to diagnose and treat biological, psychological, and social disability and impairment (includes mental and emotional disorders and developmental disabilities) • Requires a license, which requires a MSW degree, 2-3 years of post-graduate clinical experience and passage of one or more licensing exams

  23. Social Work Licenses • Every state has its own licensure regulations and laws • Some states require licenses and/or certification for BSWs, MSWs and LCSWs (Licensed Clinical Social Workers) • For a comparison guide of specific state requirements, visit www.aswb.org

  24. California’s LCSW • In CA, BSWs and MSWs can work without being licensed or certified • There is only one SW license in CA– Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) • Is able to provide psychotherapy • Requires MSW, a minimum of 2-years post-graduate clinical experience, post-graduate classes, and passing two state-specific exams

  25. CA’s Largest SW Employers # 1 – California Counties In 2006-2007 (April to April), 50% of counties had SW positions available accounting for 664 positions # 2 – California State One reason is the need for additional SWs in the correctional system and the mental health system (due to the Mental Health Services Act MHSA)

  26. California’s SW Shortage • Due to several factors, CA is currently and will face a shortage of BSWs, MSWs and LCSWs • Some of the reasons for the demand: In 2006, poverty was at 12.8% Daily, 361,000 persons are homeless Annually, domestic violence impacts 119,850

  27. Social Work Salaries Salaries are based on the following: • Type of degree • Years of professional experience • Licenses, credentials, certifications • Area of specialty • Geographic location • Type of setting (for-profit, non-profit, government)

  28. Examples of 2007 Salaries • LCSW with 2+ yrs of experience -- California’s average salary is $63,775 -- Nationwide average salary is $49,591 • Medical Social Work with 2+ yrs -- MSW Nationwide $48,461 - $57,508 -- BSW Nationwide $39,707 - $47,235

  29. Websites for Salary Info • Monster Salary Center http://salary.monster.com/ • Career Builder Salary http://www.cbsalary.com • CA Labor Market Information (LMI) http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/

  30. Additional SW Resources • Career Development and Job Search For more information and resources related to the SW profession, educational requirements, financial aid resources, career choices, salaries, job search strategies and resources, visit www.naswca.org under “Career Center”

  31. Online Resources • National Association of Social Workers www.socialworkers.org • NASW-California Chapter www.naswca.org • International Federation of SW www.ifsw.org

  32. Online Resources • Council on SW Education (CSWE) www.cswe.org • Association of SW Board www.aswb.org • CA Society for Clinical Social Work www.clinicalsocialworksociety.org

  33. Online Resources • The New Social Work Magazine www.socialworkers.com • Social Work Associations and Organizations www.socialworkers.org/swportal/swo1/

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