Careers in Social Work

Social workers can elect to work with any number of different populations or in a variety of problem areas, as described below.

Aging
Social workers assist the elderly and their families, helping them to make decisions about their future, to maintain their independence, and to arrange for services. Employers include: hospitals and long-term care facilities, banks and insurance companies, senior centers, area councils on aging, senior housing facilities, and mental health and family service agencies.

Children and Families
Some social workers take on the challenge of intervening when children are physically or sexually abused or neglected, when a family is in trouble, or when parents have problems. Often the social worker's intervention makes a critical difference at a key moment in a child's life. Employers include: adoption agencies, day care centers, foster care agencies, family preservation services, public and private child welfare organizations, and family guidance clinics.

Public Welfare
Social workers are primarily the administrators, supervisors, program planners and evaluators of the public welfare system. Some supervise intake and case managers who provide direct services. Employers are government and private social service agencies.