Being a Social Work major, you hear quite a bit of negative comments such as "Wow you're really not going to be making any money" or "Is that where you take kids away from their parents?". While yes, you probably won't be making hundreds of thousands of dollars and yes, that is one of the many things you can do with a social work degree, and it's not just taking children away from their parents for no reason, there is much more to social work than money and what meets the eye.
There are so many different things you can do with a social work degree. You can work in an office, school, hospital, and so many other places. The one common factor in whatever path you choose to take is that you're helping people in this career. You're making a difference and bettering lives of those who might not have it as easy as some others. That's not to say you can't do these things in other majors but when people ask me why I chose this major this is my response: I'm not in it for the money, while it's really a myth that social workers make a terrible wage, I'm in it for the reward I get from helping others.
Social Work can get a bad reputation sometimes when people think about how CPS workers remove children from unfit homes. The key word is unfit. We don't get a kick out of removing children from their parents but when we do it it's because it's what is best for the child. Our main purpose is to be there for the people and help them even if it hurts us sometimes.
"Social Work is love made visible" is an anonymous quote I find to be very true. Our entire career is based on showing and providing love and care for those who don't always get it. To me that's far more valuable than any amount of money on a check you can give me. Social Work not only brings happiness to others but it brings happiness to you when you see another person smile because of the help you've given them.
This is an incredibly powerful major to have and I've not once regretted choosing it and I don't ever see myself regretting it. Social Work is a passion and a love for other human beings. Social work is an opportunity to change the things we dislike in the world. Social Work is a chance to make a difference in another person's life in a positive way.
