What Are the Benefits of Being a Social Worker?

One of the most compelling benefits of a career in social work is making a difference in the lives of individual clients and the community. Social workers assist individual and family clients in getting resources and assistance that improves their quality of life. Building up individuals and families also helps strengthen economic conditions in a community.

Social workers also benefit from relatively strong career stability. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a 19 percent growth rate in social worker jobs from 2012 to 2022. Social work is perpetually necessary as communities always have citizens who need help dealing with poverty and other economic and societal challenges. Becoming a social worker is one of the quickest paths into the social justice field. Some social worker jobs are available with a bachelor’s degree, and a master’s of social work degree affords a person significant opportunities and career flexibility in social work.

Another benefit to social work is the ability to advocate in areas of passion. Someone with a passion for children can specialize in agencies that help children and families with children. Social workers interested in criminal justice may help ex-convicts as they try to assimilate back into society. Schools and hospitals offer additional opportunities for specialized social workers.