What is it like being a social worker?

Question

I am questioning jobs for my future. One of them is social worker. I love to help people, but I like being more hands on with it. Can you do this in social work? My mother is a social worker in the country in a county, and most of what they do is paperwork. They don't do too much on a personal level. She said there's more hands on things in cities, but she hasn't worked there. So if you are, or know what a social worker does, could you describe it? Do you have opportunities to help people personally with your job? Are you happy with it, and do you think it really makes a difference in people's lives? Sorry, it's a lot of questions, but I'm genuinely interested in the profession and in making a difference in people's lives.

Answer 1

I am a social worker with juvenile offenders.

I also love to help people and that is one of the reasons I got into this field. I do get to work hands on with my clients and on a very personal level. I see them a few times a week during office visits, check in on them at school, go to their houses and also court. Your mother is right though. The amount of time a social worker gets to spend with clients can be based on the agency or location of the agency. Even though I do spend alot of time with my clients, I also have alot of paperwork to do as well.

I also get to do drug and alcohol therapy with clients as well. I go to the local detention center a few times a week to give various assessments or treatments.

I am very happy with my job and I do think that it makes a difference in my clients lives. However,  I know that they are not always happy with my presence in their lives but that comes with the territory of working with offenders.

If you have any other questions please feel free to shoot me an email at [e-mail]

Good Luck!

--Megan