At Pacific Oaks College, we define social work as an academic and professional field focused on improving the well-being of people’s everyday lives—both individually and at the community level. Like many professions that deal with people and human behavior, social work is a complicated field with plenty of nuances.
Whether you’re just starting your Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) or you’re nearly finished with your first degree, it’s always a good idea to consider your options for work post-graduation. To help you in this endeavor, we’ve compiled a list of four jobs available to you after you finish your BSW.
What do social workers do?
The work of a social worker will change based on facets like industry and completed level of education. As mentioned previously, social workers are tasked with helping people face challenges in their lives. These challenges might include mental, behavioral, or emotional disorders as well as environmental challenges.
Generally, social workers assist their clients with mental health counseling at an individual, familial, or group level. They assess what is ailing their client and provide solutions like coordinating treatment plans, researching public programs and resources, and more.
To begin entry-level work, social workers must finish at least their BSW degree. This degree can be completed at a traditional four-year institution, and options exist for students who prefer to complete their degree online too.
4 career paths in social work
If you’re ready to start your career post-graduation or if you’d like a little more time and experience before your next advanced degree, here are four career paths to consider.
Community outreach worker
If you’re interested in a career at a nonprofit or government institution, consider becoming a community outreach worker. BSW graduates in community outreach positions work in tandem with the organization that has hired them to help engage and educate the community. Community outreach workers are liaisons, coordinating and organizing volunteer workers and connecting the community to the goals of their organization for events such as fundraising.
Generally, a community outreach worker attempts to improve the lives of community members by creating events and promoting services that focus on health care and social services for underserved communities.
Human services specialist
A human services specialist requires interdisciplinary knowledge that focuses on treating an individual’s problems and helping him or her maintain those improvements.
Human services specialists might work with people in group homes, halfway houses, correctional facilities, mental health centers, family homes, and more. They work with people who have often been in deeply precarious situations and can be emotionally taxing. However, this work is instrumental in serving those who may need help the most.
Probation officer
If you have a special interest in criminal justice, becoming a probation officer will be a great marriage with your social work education. Probation officers guide and monitor offenders and attempt to assist in preventing them from committing new crimes.
Similar to human service specialists, probation officers assist offenders in seeking out treatment and rehabilitation and supervise the progress of their efforts. The primary difference between the two careers is that probation officers are working specifically with people who were put on probation rather than given jail time.
Behavioral management aide
Behavioral management aides work to help people change negative behaviors. Children are largely the focus of these services, but in some legal systems they can be crucial for adults too.
Aides work to help their clients recognize and change behaviors that are working to their detriment such as violence, tantrums, or disruptive behavior. If you’re hoping to merge your interest of social work with education, becoming a behavioral management aide might be a good fit for you.
As you embark or finish your BSW, know that these careers just scratch the surface for what career paths may be open to you following your graduation.
Looking for a social work program you can complete online? Consider Pacific Oaks! Contact us to request information and learn more today!
