What's it like to be a social worker?

Question

I'm in high school, and I'm thinking about becoming a social worker. I was just wondering what it's like...what's an average work day like? How many hours? You know, that kind of thing. I'd especially like input from actual social workers or someone who knows a social worker- that's probably the only responses that will help me. Thank you!

Answer 1

My sister in law is in that field~she doesn't get paid very much and works ALOT!! She is now going back for her masters try try and make money because it stinks to make very little!

Put your zip code and non profit social services in the site below then choose a job. It will give you salaries

Answer 2

I was an Adult Care Worker for 5 years at a Homeless shelter. I worked along side many Social Workers there. I loved the job because it was different every day and I got to meet all kinds of interesting people. It was hard work but I enjoyed it.

Social work is a very broad spectrum though. You could work in so many different fields. Social workers are often underpaid and overworked. However, if you look carefully you could find a job where that isn't the case. Social workers tend to burn out because the jobs can be hard. Sometimes its hard to leave work at work. But if you burn out in one field, you could try a different one. Thats whats great about social work - there really are many diverse jobs you could do.

I think its great you are considering social work and encourage you to look further into it.

Answer 3

Social work is such a broad and diverse profession that this is an almost impossible question to answer - some social workers are psychotherapists and see clients all day one on one - some do family therapy, some groups.  Some social workers work in hospitals, some in community agencies.  Some work as administrators, some do community organizing.  Some jobs are 9-5 some are weekends and evening.

You might want to check out a book called "Days in the Lives of Social Workers" it is available on Amazon.  It is short stories of social workers in their jobs - it will give you a really good overview and orientation.

DA