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Step 1
Learn about the different jobs available. Social work is a large career field as it offers a number of different job opportunities within it. You can learn more about specific jobs by visiting the Web site of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). They have devoted a special section of their site to providing information about careers in social work.
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Step 2
Explore the different places to work. Mental health organizations, child welfare agencies, nursing homes, schools and hospitals are just a few of the places where you can work with a career in social work. Learn more by visiting some of these organizations or exploring other places to work through the career section of the NASW website.
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Step 3
Shadow people in the social work field. Many people are willing to let you follow them around for a day experiencing what they do as part of their job. This experience can give you a better idea of whether a particular job or career in social work is right for you.
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Step 4
Find out what education is involved. Some careers in social work require a master's or doctoral degree, especially if you are responsible for treating individuals for mental illness or overseeing their welfare. Other jobs in social work don't require as much education and may be a better fit for you if you don't think you are prepared to spend six or more years attending a college or university.
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Step 5
Examine your values as well as your lifestyle wants and needs. Social work can be a stressful career, and employees in this field don't routinely make as much as their peers with similar education in a different field. When choosing a career in social work, you need to assess your personal values as well as your lifestyle. Determine what is important to you such as a high-paying salary, the ability to help people or the satisfaction of knowing that you did a good job.
