Social Work & Human Services Degree Program: How to Make a Career Out of Helping Others

If you would like to make helping others your life's work, consider a social work and human services degree program. Social workers provide assistance to people in need in a variety of ways, in all areas of the country. If this appeals to you, consider an online degree program as a pragmatic way to get started.
Some social workers specialize in assisting people with personal issues--family problems, substance abuse, or medical issues. Others help people interact with housing, governmental, and medical authorities, so they can understand their rights and get the services they need. Still others approach social work from a bigger-picture perspective, advocating for changes in policies and legislation in order to better help those in need.

Online Education for Social Work & Human Services

However you choose to help people, an online degree may be your best start to a career in social work. Social work jobs typically require at least a bachelor's degree, and for many people, an online degree program is the only way to fit the pursuit of this credential around existing job and family obligations.
Beyond a bachelor's degree, an increasing number of social work jobs today require a master's degree, and some state licensure requirements include a threshold amount of clinical experience. Online education may allow you to pursue both of these objectives at once, by giving you the scheduling flexibility you would need to earn an advanced degree while also gaining hands-on experience.

Career Outlook for Social Workers

Most social workers are employed by health care or social assistance organizations, though state and local governments are also significant employers of social workers. Because of the hands-on nature of this work, social worker jobs can be found in virtually all areas of the country, with vacancies developing especially where people are somewhat scarce, i.e., rural areas. Another job tip is that social workers specializing in assisting the elderly are expected to see especially strong demand, due to the aging demographics of the U.S. population.
Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics

Richard Barrington is a freelance writer and novelist who previously spent over twenty years as an investment industry executive.