I’m a really lucky guy. I always knew I wanted to help people, and when I went to college, I immediately discovered a passion for helping those with emotional/behavioral issues, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or developmental disabilities. And I have loved my career choice from the beginning. 30-some years later, I’m still eager to go to work every day.
For me, everything clicked at the right time, but that’s not how it works for many people. Lots of folks take their first (and second and third) job because it pays the bills. Lots of people accepted a position because it made sense for their schedule and their life at the time, but years later, it has stopped being a good choice. Others wake up one day and realize they don’t like their job or that they are on the wrong career path. Or maybe their profession has changed so much that it no longer feels like a good fit.
That’s why people switch industries. They’re looking for a job that suits their evolving talents and passions. For some people, social work makes sense as a new line of work. It is also a logical entry point into a variety of professional specialties. So you can start in one field, and switch to another. Social services are an increasingly important part of education, healthcare, psychology, criminal justice, addiction treatment, health administration, government, veteran services, elder care, childcare, and more.
At my company, Community Integrated Services, based outside of Seattle, many of our best employees made social services their second career. And we’re still looking for more people. It made me stop and think about the benefits that a career in social services really offers. So I came up with this list.
Emotionally Satisfying
Sometimes the work we do is hard. Sometimes the people we help are ungrateful. Our clients rarely progress in a steady, consistent pattern. But we are all working together to create a better world. Whether you call it social work, social services, or human services, this field is about helping people improve their lives. Period. We are constantly working to help clients. And whether the day is full of victories or defeats, the fact that we help society get better makes social work one of the most emotionally satisfying careers on the planet.
Plenty of Jobs
It’s great to start a career in a field that offers future growth, but in social work, there is also an urgent need for more social workers right now. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 700,000 social work positions in the U.S. Whether you live in a small town, a big city, or even a rural community, there are social services jobs near you. Schools, hospitals, healthcare, government organizations, and privately-owned companies all offer a range of social work positions.
Growing Industry
There are many open social work jobs, and the industry is predicted to keep growing, translating into long-term career opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11% increase in social work positions in the next ten years, which is projected to result in the creation of more than 80,000 new jobs. Human services are more valued than ever. Schools are increasing the presence of social workers in educational facilities. Police departments are creating social programs. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are also expanding the role of social services. Job specializing in social work for community care are also on the rise.
A Range of Certifications
There is a wide range of entry points when it comes to social work. Many companies (including mine) offer entry-level positions for people with little or no experience in similar fields. Entry-level positions often require on-the-job training and certification. In these cases, the firm should pay for both the training time and the certification fees, but that doesn’t mean that they do. Be sure to ask about paid training and paid certification. In addition to entry-level training, many organizations also promote from within. That means dedicated employees may find that although they start in an entry-level position, they are soon promoted to a supervisor position. People who accumulate experience in the field and acquire certifications will discover that they are in high demand and can often choose from various job offerings.
Diversity and Inclusion
Social work is an inclusive field. It’s a profession that values the contributions of experiences and expertise from a range of cultural, economic, religious, ethnic, age, and gender backgrounds. And this commitment to diversity and inclusion is deeply felt. As a profession, social workers must welcome a wide range of people, situations, backgrounds, and circumstances. So, it’s no wonder that this profession’s employees are exceptionally representative.
How to Start Your Career Change
If you’re considering pursuing a career in social services, you can do it at any stage in your career. Whether you’re young, old, or somewhere in between, there are plenty of job openings that offer paid training and certification, including my company. Get started on your new career by checking out our career page here.