Profession: Mental Health & Social Services
Social Worker:
Social Workers provide a wide range of services to individuals, families, small groups, communities and organizations. Social workers are guided by the values of social justice and human rights. Social workers often reach out to people who may be described as oppressed and underserved.
Social workers most commonly work in non-profit agencies and/or government agencies. Some social workers choose to work in for-profit businesses or join private practice groups. Fields of social work practice include, but are not limited to, mental health, child welfare, family work, substance abuse, adult and juvenile justice, school social work, medical social work, geriatric social work, homelessness and housing, domestic violence, and community organizing/development.
Social workers rarely do their work without collaborating with other professionals like teachers, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, doctors, community organizers and legislators.
Salary Range: $29,500 - $49,060
Salary Notes: Education, geographic location and experience impact salary levels with a median annual earning of $37,480.
Where you can study:
Castleton State College, Castleton, VT
Community College of Rhode Island, Warwick, RI
Springfield College, Springfield, MA
University of Vermont Dept. of Social Work, Burlington, VT
Where you might work:
Community Justice Centers -
Community Mental Health Centers -
Correctional Facilities -
Day Care Centers -
Domestic Violence Agencies -
Home Health and Hospice Agencies -
Hospitals -
Housing Agencies -
Legislative/Lobbying Organizations -
Nursing Homes -
Physician Offices -
Schools -
Social and Human Service Agencies -
Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities -
Job Outlook: Employment of social workers is projected to grow much faster than average. The job search is more competitive in cities than in rural areas. There are increased opportunities for social workers who are bi-lingual and for social workers who want to work in rural, underserved areas. Job prospects may be best for those social workers with a background in gerontology or substance abuse treatment.
Education, Licensing and Certification: Bachelor degree-level social workers hold many human service positions. High school course work should be well-rounded, including math, science, and humanities. A master’s degree and a state license are required for a social worker to receive third party payments for their work. Therefore a master’s degree is required to do private practice work.
Professional Organizations:
Council on Social Work Education 703-683-8080 www.cswe.org
National Association of Social Workers (NASW) 202-408-8600 www.socialworkers.org
Vermont Chapter, National Association of Social Workers 888-260-7398 www.naswvt.org
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