Those who consider themselves empathetic people — and are motivated to act as a resource to those in need — can find a fulfilling career in the field of social work.
Now more than ever, social work degrees are becoming a popular educational pursuit for those looking to find a career that aligns with their interests. Whether it’s a traditional bachelor’s degree in social work or an online master’s in social work, more people are beginning to put their energy into becoming educated and qualified in the field.
Many may be wondering why social work degrees are becoming more popular in 2022. The truth is, there is no one answer to this question. There are several pertinent reasons that more individuals are finding themselves being called to the field of social work.
Those curious about the field of social work — and those toying with the idea of pursuing a career as a social worker — can benefit from having a deeper understanding of why social work degrees are becoming so popular in 2022.
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The Field of Social Work Is Growing
One simple reason so many individuals feel compelled to pursue an education in social work is that the field is growing.
As such, more and more social worker positions are becoming available. Those figuring out which career to pursue — or which new career to transition into — are concerned with the availability of jobs in the fields they end up choosing.
Pursuing a degree of any type will require a certain level of time, money, and energy to be sacrificed, and as such, it makes sense that fields with high growth and job availability are popular choices when it comes to choosing an educational pursuit.
The field of social work falls squarely into this category and those pursuing a social work degree often feel confident that they will easily be able to find a job once they complete their education.
Social Work Is a Way to Connect with Others
As a result of a changing world and a more significant emphasis on work/life balance, many people are now searching for careers that they find interesting, enjoyable, and fulfilling.
Whereas previous generations looked at careers as purely a means of making money, today, individuals seem to care more about pursuing careers that make them happy.
For people who enjoy connecting with others, social work is the opportunity to find happiness in a career.
A career in social work not only allows individuals to connect with others but in many cases, it allows individuals to make positive and impactful changes in people’s lives.
For those who consider themselves empathetic people, social work is a field in which one can grow and excel in their career while also feeling fulfilled.
Given the fulfilling nature of social work, it makes sense that many are taking the leap and obtaining a social work degree to pursue a career that allows them to connect with others.
Social Work Is an Accessible Field to Transition Into
Those looking for a new career will find that transitioning into the field of social work is more accessible than it is in many other fields.
Most individuals with a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field may be eligible to pursue a master’s degree in social work. For individuals looking to make a transition into a new career, this makes pursuing a graduate degree in social work is an attractive option.
In addition to being eligible to pursue a master’s in social work, baccalaureates will find that there is a multitude of Master of Social Work program options ranging from traditional programs to online and hybrid programs.
Some of these programs even cater to individuals who work full-time, meaning that one could potentially become qualified in the field of social work without jeopardizing the income from their current job.
As such, individuals looking to make a transition into a new career are pursuing advanced degrees in social work because of its accessibility.
Social Work Offers Multiple Career Paths
Social work is a broad field that encompasses many different types of practices and involves a variety of work settings.
In addition, there are many career paths that individuals with an education in social work can pursue. These careers can look very different depending on both the industry and the organization which someone works for.
Some popular settings for social workers to pursue a career include schools, hospitals, and government organizations.
Each of these settings has unique needs, and finding the setting that aligns with one’s skills, interests, and ability is paramount to finding the right social work career.
In addition to these settings, social workers with an interest in charity and non-profit organizations may be able to find jobs in these industries as well, where social worker skills can be a significant asset.
Beginning a Journey to Social Work
Social work is a field that offers individuals a chance to connect with others in deep and meaningful ways.
In addition to having a career that can heavily impact the lives of others, those who pursue a degree in social work can expect to find themselves in the middle of a growing field in which their skills are in high demand.
Both those pursuing a university degree for the first time and those looking for a career change can find a fulfilling career path by pursuing a degree in social work.