Social Worker For An Agency That Provides Services To Families And Children
Career review from a person working in the job
How I Got The Job
My Education: BS in Social work from the University of Montevallo.
My Prior Experience: I've worked as a case manager and as a social worker for a couple of different organizations.
My Job Profile
My Company: I work with a non profit agency that provides services to families and children.
Job/Career Overview: I supervise social workers at a non profit social service agency that provides residential treatment for teens with behavior issues or mental health issues. I do intakes for new residents coming to our agency, so I meet all of our new kids. I supervise the social workers that work day to day with the residents. I give the social workers advice as needed and act as a spring board for ideas and/or venting sessions. I also lead the treatment team for our agency. This is the team of social workers, nurses, therapists, and supervisors that work with our kids.
A typical day may include admitting a new client, talking with a resident that feels no one listens, advising a social worker on the best way to deal with behaviors that their clients are displaying, reviewing cases, or addressing concerns that our contracting agencies may have.
More Insights: There are so many different areas within the social work field. When I first graduated, I got a job working with the elderly because it was what was available at the time! I didn't think I would like it, but I ended up loving it. Never limit yourself! You can never tell what may come of your last choice!
Love It? Hate It?
I rate this career 8 out of 10.
What I Love or Hate
One of the best parts of being a social worker, of course, are the rewards of seeing changed lives. It is amazing to be able to teach a child skills to cope with every day stressors, how to avoid anger, and to reach through depression and then to watch them soar as they catch on and get excited about their future.
The worst part of being a social worker is that sometimes there is too much red tape in actually getting to help a client. Money needed to truly help is not always available and this year, Congress has taken most money from social services.
Of course, the rewards greatly outweigh these negatives.
My Career Tips
You really have to have a heart for social work. The pay is not always in line with the importance of the job.
Even though "red tape" may sometimes get in the way of your work, you should always work like nothing is impossible.
Being able to relate to people of all different cultures, genders, backgrounds, etc. is a really important part of being a social worker.
You must remain open minded at all times. Your clients WILL have different views from your own, but you must respect them and help them nonetheless.
