What is the best direction to getting a job in Social Work?

[gous]

What is the best direction to getting a job in Social Work?

Are there in-house on the job training, or do you have to have qualifications up to a certain level?

Can anyone please answer this for me as i need to make a decision on how to quickly change my career choice and gain new qualifications to get into Social Work.

Thank you!

[loudstar926]

Psychology is a fascinating and broad field of study. Each year almost 75,000 American students graduate with a bachelor's degree in psychology, but many of them never go on to practice or research in the field. You might be surprised at the diverse jobs you can get with a psychology degree. Psychology is the study of the human mind, and as such, there is a large market for psychology majors in fields where it is necessary to figure out what people want and why.

Clinical Work
When people think about majoring in psychology, they often picture themselves sitting across from someone on a couch listening to their problems, or perhaps working with children coping with family problems or grief. A great many psychology majors do actually go on to be practicing psychologists in some form or another. These people use the theoretical psychological principles they learned for careers in the mental health or social services arenas. Specific careers include those as a youth or student counselor, psychotherapist, career advisor, social worker, behavior analyst or substance abuse counselor. People who go into clinical practice are on the front lines of psychology.

Research Work
The other side of the coin for psychology majors who wish to stay in the field is research. Rather than working directly with individual patients or families on their problems, research psychologists study the human mind in general, trying to determine trends and reasons for why people act, learn and desire as they do. They study how the brain works and attempt to find ways to stop degenerative or negative chemical brain conditions. Many research psychologists have careers conducting financed research at universities. Some are also university professors. In general, these positions require graduate work in psychology, but there are valuable positions as lab assistants and grant writers available to graduate students.

Business
For psychology majors who do not want to pursue a career in psychology, there are many opportunities in the business world. Companies trying to market or sell goods and services to people place a premium on people who have a keen insight into the human mind. Many jobs with advertising or marketing firms are based around a person's ability to reach out and divine people's needs and wants as consumers. Copywriting, creative direction and media buying jobs all call for people to know an audience they may never meet. Public relations jobs also require people who can be diplomatic and find the most effective way to make a message stick in the minds of businesses or the public.

Things to Consider
Because psychology is such a broad field, it is best to take on a minor or second major in a field with a more defined career path, in addition to the psychology major. Advertising agencies, for example, are definitely looking for people who know the human mind, but they will be even more likely to hire someone who knows the principles of marketing as well.

[Punky Do]

Your best source of information would be a person in your own city who holds the job that you would like to have. As an example, where I live you must have a 4 year degree, but it can be in any related field (i.e. education, psychology, etc.). You should be aware that social work is a relatively low-paying profession for the amount of education required. Also, you need to ask yourself if you are the type of person who would bring concerns (of those you are assisting) home with you in the evenings. This could be very stressful.
Dedicated, skilled social workers are needed and I hope you make the wisest choice for yourself.

[mark a]

In the UK you have to be registered to get a job as a social worker. In order to do that you must have a social work qualification, either a BA/BSc in Social Work or an MA/MSc in Social Work.

In order to get on these courses you will need Level Two qualifications in maths and English. For the Undergraduate course (BA/BSc) you will also need evidence of recent study at Level 3 (A-Level, BTEC, NVQ or similar). For the Masters route you will need to already have a degree. You will also need to show that you have experience and a strong motivation to be a social worker. You need to put these on your UCAS entry form.

All of that will be needed to get you an interview. You will need to pass the interview to get on the course.

At the moment the OU offer a work based route for those already working in a social work setting. This needs to be supported by their employer.

The good news is that currently a bursary is available to help with the fees, although that might be reduced/removed soon.

All the best.