A social worker helps all kinds of people with many different problems. Often Social workers work with children, helping them through hard times. They can work with people at their homes or at a hospital or even a rehabilitation center.

Job Description

Social workers offer guidance and counselling to people in need. A social worker has a number of clients which is called a caseload. This means they meet with these people regularly offering support and making sure there is progress. Their clients range from the unemployed to children in need of foster care. They even work with the elderly who have no one to care for them. They help their clients receive government funds, education, and treatment. They also work with people who are dealing with substance abuse problems, depression, anxiety, and abusive relationships. A variety of organizations hire social workers; some of these include: public welfare agencies, schools, hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centres. Many work with the juvenile courts or in a jail, which can involve work with children. Meeting with inmates everyday and talking through their anger and issues. This is a full time job.

Education Requirements

To become a social worker one should have the following requirements: Bachelors degree in social work (BSW) is required. A master’s degree in social work (MSW) is also recommended. Western, McMaster, and Ryerson are three great universities to attend if one wishes to become a social worker. Related courses like psychology, sociology, and economics would be very beneficial.

Salary and Benefits

On average social workers made $50, 000 to $70,000 a year. Incomes vary depending on one’s degree, who you work for, and how long you’ve been working. Benefits for social workers include dental insurance, health insurance, travel insurance, vacation pay and a pension plan.

Impact on Family Life

Being a social worker is a very emotionally draining job. You have to be emotionally tough and have a strong will. This stress from work can be brought home with social workers. It can cause stress inside the household within the entire family. Also it can cause stress on the marriage due to the emotional state of the social worker.

Social working is one of the most diverse fields one can get in to. It is diverse in the people, the type of work and job location. This job is not for everyone, it can be very emotionally draining.  Being a social worker can be a very rewarding job, you get to help all kinds of people and change lives, giving people a brighter future than they would have ever dreamed of.