As a social work major, I get a lot of interesting responses when I tell people about what I'm studying. They say things like, "Honey, you must have a really good heart, because you're not in that for the money!" and "Hm, didn't you have a high GPA in high school? Couldn't you have chosen to do something else with your brains?" These comments make me cringe (at least inwardly) because though they are well-meaning, it's clear that my career choice is apparently undesirable to most people, which is especially strange coming from my Christian communities who respects those who serve others. I've come to the conclusion that social work is largely misunderstood and misconstrued. I want to change that stereotype by sharing some insights of what social work is like when pursued by those who truly want to serve others well.
1. Social workers don't make anything.
Actually, some social workers open their own practices and are free to set their service charges at $40 per hour like a psychologist could. Not all make that much, but the range of salary is quite broad and depends on the type of work. Obviously, social workers aren't in it for what money they make. Mary S. Sheridan, PhD, ACSW, writes about what social workers make: "[We] make safe places for abused children and battered wives... we make visits in neighborhoods that a lot of people wouldn't go to on a bet, because we know that people there are in need... we make time to listen to the elderly, the mentally ill, the lonely... [we] make a difference. What do you make?"
2. Social workers are all bleeding heart liberals.
In fact, a slim percentage of social workers are far-left politically. Despite the profession's stereotype as monopolized by liberal ideology, social work as a whole is rather balanced with 53% leaning liberal and the other 47% aligning with moderate or conservative views. Before you rush to conclusions about someone's political stance, why not ask them about it? The stats say that your first assumption could be wrong.
3. Psychologists are better than social workers.
Psychologists and social workers are both categorized among the "helping professions," but they are not the same, nor is one better than the other. Both professions engage in practice and research, even sharing knowledge between them. Psychologists focus on the individual - how he or she might effect positive change in his or her life. Their research and practical contributions are essential to better societal life. Social workers benefit from psychology and share this focus on the individual, but also incorporate an understanding of the other influences on a client's ability to change. This is the system's perspective, which enables social workers to pursue changes in the client's environment. Because of this emphasis, the problem is less likely to recur than if the environment were not involved in the change process.
4. Social workers all work in CPS and steal people's babies.
Believe it or not, there are actually hundreds - if not limitless - job opportunities and descriptions for those who earn a social work degree. Most of these don't have "social worker" in the title, either. Much like there are doctors with specialties in any part of the body or writers with their own style, there are a huge variety of options for social workers to choose from. Typical social work job titles include: caseworker, attorney, mental health counselor, corrections unit supervisor, community development specialist, foster care therapist, researcher, guidance counselor, program director, grant writer, lobbyist, pastor, and many others. Wherever there are people, there's a job for someone with a social work degree and skills to improve their resources and quality of life.
5. Social workers are people who couldn't decide or find something better to do with their life.
Who do you know that is a social worker? I'd bet that he or she isn't the laziest, grumpiest, or dumbest person you know. Social work demands skills in communication, emotional and social intelligence, and academics. Studying social work is challenging since it relies on knowledge in many other areas of study - history, mathematics, reading and writing, the arts, psychology, sociology, biology, chemistry, foreign languages, civics, and computer science. Those who choose social work are interested in many facets of life, and thus decide to use many of their interests and knowledge in their work for others. This does not necessarily indicate that they have mastered nothing by choosing everything. It does require getting to know a social worker personally in order to find out what makes their perspective unique and valuable.
Social workers are more to society than how people often portray them, especially when they can be supported by their communities. Next time you see someone who serves others for their vocation, please thank and encourage him or her for their work! We need social workers more than we realize.
