Guide To A Degree In Social Work And Job Opportunities That Follow

Planning to take up social work as a career? In this article, we bring to you an in-depth guide on how to become a social worker.

By Divya

Published: Tuesday, March 20, 2018, 16:02 [IST]

Have you always wanted to dedicate your life to helping other people? Were you worried you wouldn't be able to make a career out of it? Well in that case you can put your worries to rest and take up a career in social work. Just a degree in social work can open up plethora of employability options to you.

Social work is an academic and professional discipline that works to better for the quality of life of individuals & communities. Over the years, social work has evolved as a career & there are a number of institutes offering bachelor's and master's degrees in social work.

There is a large need for social workers in the country. Social workers play a pivotal role in helping people help themselves.

What Is Social Work

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Being a social worker is for somebody who is not money-orientated. Becoming a social worker isn't an easy task as it is a rewarding career for those who have the interest to work with people, address social and community issues.

This is a career for people who value charity, philanthropic experiences and who wish to consider charity as a full-time career. People who work for charities can make a profession out of it.

There are a lot of career opportunities you could utilise with a MSW, both in the private as well as public sector. Social work includes providing counselling, therapy and education, as well as connecting clients to appropriate public or private resources.

Eligibility Criteria For Social Work

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BSW/BA (SW) is a 3-year full-fledged course. Candidates who have passed class 12 can apply for this course.

MSW/MA (SW) is a two-year postgraduate degree in social work. Candidates who have completed graduation in any subject can apply but graduates having sociology or social sciences as their subjects are preferred.

Specialisations in MSW:

Human Resource Management
Corporate Social Responsibility
Clinical Social Work
Community Development
Family & Child Welfare

MPhil: Candidates who have completed MSW can apply for this course.
PhD: Candidates with an MSW or MPhil degree can pursue a doctorate in social work.

Personal Attribution For Anybody Perceiving This Course

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Communication skills
Empathy
Philanthropy skills
Team building
Team Work skills
Negotiation Skills
Diplomacy & so on

Exploring Careers In Social Work

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The future or scope for MSW candidates is bright. Today, sustainable development is the new mantra amongst the corporate world and even amongst government enterprises. There are plenty of opportunities in public and private sectors.

In the Indian scenario, a degree or diploma in social work holds large career prospects. You could become a social worker (medical & non.medical), a public relation officer, a counsellor, a teacher, a program officer (govt, ngo & international agencies), a documentation & communication officer, a program coordinator, etc.

There are a lot of organisations who require candidates specialised in this field. The organisations which are good for MSW candidates are CRY, UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO, CINI, etc.

There are other opportunities in the government sector as well. Many MSW graduates are drawn to work in counselling centres, hospitals, rural development organisations, prisons and so on.

Apart from this, you have a lot of scope within corporate departments where you could get paid really well.

Salary Of Social Workers

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A fresher or a graduate can expect a salary of INR 15,000 or more. Almost all the organisations expect an internship experience from you. Internships often come as a requirement or a necessity in the university offering these courses.