How to Become a Social Worker

Social workers help people find solutions to a variety of problems in their lives. Although the necessary education to work in this field is intensive, you can have a rewarding career by specializing in an area that suits your interests and skills.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• College Catalogs
• Individual School Requirements And Application
• License Information
• Postage Stamps
• Pens
• Stationery
• Pens

1. Volunteer to be a social worker's aide while you are still in high school. You need to have firsthand experience to discover what social work can entail.

2. Be aware that a bachelor's degree in social work (B.S.W.) is required for entry-level positions in the social work field.

3. Maintain a good grade point average throughout high school. Establish good study habits for yourself.

4. Learn a second language in high school and continue to study it in college.

5. Ask your guidance counselor for a list of colleges in your preferred locations that offer social work programs. Make certain they are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. There are currently 430 B.S.W. accredited programs; each requires the student to receive at least 400 hours of supervised field experience.

6. Write for admissions information and applications well before your senior year in high school.

7. Look for paid internships during your college years. They can provide you with future references and perhaps open some doors to your career.

8. Plan on working toward a master's degree in social work (M.S.W.) if you would like a position of any responsibility, including case management. There are currently 130 M.S.W. accredited programs; each requires the student to receive 900 hours of supervised field experience.

9. Get licensing exam information for the state in which you live. After you receive your M.S.W., you must work under a licensed M.S.W. for two years before you can take the licensing exam.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose your college carefully. Even accredited programs can differ greatly.
• The National Association of Social Workers (see Related Sites) is a good source of information about careers in social work.
• Be aware that insurance companies will not reimburse you for your services unless you are licensed.
• Choose another career if you easily become emotionally involved with other people's problems. In social work, you must distance yourself emotionally in order to help your clients.

Who Can Help:

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[lisamarie09]

on 4/14/2009 i just graduated in March, and i was wondering what are the requirements for becoming a social worker in California. I am very interested in Social Services, and i would like to know a lil more about the steps to become a social worker. thankxLisaMarie![e-mail]

[kt20rkn]

on 4/4/2009 i am interested in this feild but i didn't know i wanted to be a social worker till my second semester of college so i was woundering what could i do to become a social worker or work at adoption agency please e-mail me at [e-mail] you! katie rankin

[MARIENES]

on 1/7/2009 Im Marienes F. Soliman a Licensed Social Worker here in the philippines... as of now im working in the Philippine Goverment at the Department of Social Welfare and Development DSWD, as a Social Welfare Officer II, but i would like to work in abroad New Zealand as a social worker.

[vicp]

on 11/21/2008 i am currently in grade 12 and i would like to know what are the requirements in canada to become a social worker and what kind of classes i would have to be taking in high school. please provide me with these information in email at [e-mail]

[uttie]

on 11/11/2008 Great for teens but what about those who are looking to change thier careers? Any advice for us? Maybe another article from that perspective perhaps?