Career Opportunities in Social Work

In India, we really lack the culture of volunteering. If you see younger generation they are not at all interested in social work and other volunteering activities related to it.

However, now there are career opportunities where you can serve the society as well as make a decent living. It gives you satisfaction that you are doing something for the society.

There are many public sectors and private sector NGO’s which are ready to help downtrodden and marginalized section of the society.

In this article we shall look at what are career opportunities for social workers in India and elsewhere.

Your Job as a Social Worker

Over the period of time social work has evolved as a profession. Earlier you had to volunteer and you don’t get paid. However, now it is like a job.

You have to engage with people on ground like arranging counselling, conferences, spreading public awareness, organizing workshops etc.

You need to meet people affected by poverty and other social discrimination. Here are some of things that you need to do as a social worker.

Education and Schooling

Here you have to go to schools where poor kids study. They belong to very disturbed background like their father is an alcoholic, drug abuse, sexual exploitation etc.

You need to go there and help them.

Medical and Clinical Work

In rural India where basic healthcare is still missing social workers like you can play an important role. Health workers should be able to render services to patients as soon as possible.

Building Community

As a social worker you need to build communities. You deal with problems like unemployment, housing, health and other services.

Correctional Social Work

Correctional social work is nothing but rehabilitation facility. Here you need to rehabilitate alcoholic, drug abusers, criminals and other victims.

What You Need to be a Social Worker?

Well to become a social worker you need to have a sense of service for the society. The social work is very tough and you need to be driven by idealism.

You must have vision to fight injustice and other prejudice prevailing in the society. Moreover as far as educational background is concerned you need a background in sociology and psychology both.

If you have empathy for people around you then you can be a social worker.

Educational Qualification

We shall discuss more about the educational qualification that you need to become a social worker.

To have a career in social work you need Master in Social Work (MSW), which is a 2 years course open to all graduates from any stream.

If you are a student of sociology then it is even better to become a social worker.

Salary of a Social Worker

If you decide to become a social worker then it is not about salary but the passion to serve the people. Various government and NGO’s have a lot to offer.

A new social worker should expect Rs 4000/- to Rs 7000/- per month. It may not sound much but good for a beginner.

Social Work Top Organization

Although there are many NGO’s in India and around the world but the top organizations are like UN’s UNESCO and UNICEF and some Indian organization like Cini Asha, Balwadi and Indian government organization like Labor & Bureau and department of rural development.

Career Prospect

Occupational Opportunities For Social Work Majors-

• Agency Director
• Aging/Gerontology Specialist
• Assistant Director of Agency
• Case Aide
• Casework Supervisor
• Caseworker
• Child Welfare Caseworker
• Clinical Social Worker
• Community Organization Director

Some of the Colleges to Study

You could go to college and become a good social worker. There are M.Phil and Ph.D programmes that are offered by some of the colleges given below.

Here are some of the well know colleges where you can train yourself to become a social worker.