In this role, you need at least a bachelor’s degree. Social workers have an often overlooked wealth of knowledge and skills that ordinary people and other professionals will gladly pay for. Your complex problem-solving abilities may even help you assist lawyers in cracking a difficult case. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, social work professionals are adept in the following transferable skills: With those skills in mind, we’ve identified five potential alternative careers for social workers. I am writing in hopes to gain some helpful feedback from my fellow mental health colleagues. If you hope to land a role as a social and community service manager, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in social work, public or business administration, public health or a related field. Many social workers enter the career field with a bachelor degree; although a Master degree is considered the terminal degree for practice. Professionals with training in social work may pursue an alternative career path for many different reasons, including low pay, long hours, or insufficient support in the work environment. Social workers may also experience a shift in their worldview that affects their daily lives and is what some experts refer to as "vicarious trauma.". These qualities are ideal for those pursuing a high school teaching career. Leroy-London enjoys working with adolescents and adults and specializes in matters related to depression and anxiety. Interested in accelerated bachelor's to master's option? Please enter your phone number to proceed. Legislators — individuals who work directly on bills and laws — can hold positions in the U.S. Congress, in state legislatures or on local boards. Social work schools offering alternative job path programs. Check out all listings for Social Worker jobs! With those skills in mind, we’ve identified five potential alternative careers for social workers. In addition to teaching, these instructors often assist students one-on-one with the struggles of young adulthood and prepare them for life after high school. Sociologists may also collaborate with and advise other social scientists and policymakers. 1. Social workers also develop many essential skills that can serve them well in outside jobs similar to social work. Looking for more job opportunities? Experts Spiers and Leroy-London note that social workers often develop excellent leadership skills and an assertive character, which is valuable in the classroom. SocialWorkGuide.org is an advertising-supported site. Latest Stories. Greetings! I’m one of them. Her clients are managers and leaders at places like Google, Facebook, HP, and Deloitte. Alternative Careers for Social Workers. Social work is a dynamic field that asks a lot of the specialists who commit their careers to the cause. Your education and experience in social work can open up a variety of new career paths. Social workers often choose their career path based on the populations they want to work with or their desired work environment. He has taught human services and sociology courses as an adjunct professor at Harcum College and has conducted trainings and workshops all over the country on topics like Housing First, harm reduction, and LGBTQ+ health and wellness. Mental health counselors may work with individuals, couples, families or other groups of people during counseling sessions in which they carefully listen to their clients' situations, feelings and reactions. Stacey has worked in the mental health field since 2011, first as the State Director of Consumer Programs for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Mississippi and later as a therapist. Leroy-London points out that many social workers can find fulfilling work as teachers or researchers. As caring professionals who dedicate their working lives to helping people cope with the challenges they may face, social workers become well-versed in a number of transferrable skills. "Assertiveness is so important because when you can identify what you need, and then advocate for that need, there is a sense of peace that comes with that, which may otherwise turn into emotional turmoil and anxiety," she says. I was a probation officer for 13 years and was able to use my social work degree/experience as an officer. Professionals with a social work degree can excel in jobs and career paths outside of typical case management roles, including the following positions. Don't despair: many alternative job roles make good use of the skills and knowledge gained from social work training, finds Mat Little. She helps them gain more confidence, assertiveness, and influence. Elected official Social work is a people-focused career. Stacey is passionate about inspiring her clients to build the life they want to lead. While we often think of a teacher’s core duties as centered on imparting subject-specific knowledge to young minds, high school teachers are also tasked with helping prepare students for life after graduation. Social workers can teach classes in their areas of expertise, work directly with students, provide informal personal and academic counseling for their learners, and conduct academic research that contributes to their field. With a master’s in social work in hand, you will be able to pursue licensure and help individuals or groups with many different social needs. These professionals work directly with members and other stakeholders in their communities, improve local programs and services, and help create and manage outreach programs for the area. Social Work Careers by Specialty MSW graduates typically work in specialty fields, such as child and family services, geriatrics, mental health and substance abuse, or education. Find the best offers for Alternative jobs for social workers among 350 job vacancies listed. Consulting jobs require professionals to possess excellent problem-solving, research, and communication skills. I understand that my consent is not required to attend Brandman University. They may help diagnose emotional disorders, give their clients tools for modifyin… This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. by Phyllis Babrove, MSW, LCSW In previous articles that I have written for The New Social Worker, I talked about having gone to school later in life. Social workers provide vital services to help people manage everyday problems and improve their quality of life. These officials often meet with constituents to learn more about their needs and concerns. 1. In the past, she has worked with clients in both in-patient and out-patient hospital settings. A lack of emotional support in the workplace, poor health benefits, and low compensation can all contribute to social worker burnout. Stacey Aldridge is an LCSW in private practice. Social workers can be found at work in schools, courts, community centers, hospitals, and in private practice. You might consider putting your skills to use as a, Most paralegals have an associate degree in paralegal studies, but your bachelor’s degree could suffice if you add a. , with the top 10 percent earning more than $82,050. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Regis College and her master's degree in social work from Simmons University. On a more tactical level, your days as a sociologist could be spent designing research projects to test theories about social issues, collecting and analyzing data and preparing written materials or presentations to detail your research findings. A degree in social work can lead to a rewarding and lucrative career. As you venture toward changing careers, it can be helpful to take in some advice from those who have walked that path before you. How to move away from frontline social work, but still use your skills Are you suffering from burnout or starting to think frontline social work isn't for you? Brandman University is a fully accredited, private, nonprofit university designed for working adults seeking to improve their careers through education. The Social Work Career Center includes professional development webinars on topics, such as: branding, interviewing, and writing resume tips that provide members with inside information from social work experts on how to best land a job and network within the social work field. The skills you have acquired as a social worker Please enter a valid zip code to proceed. Jobs in politics exist at all levels of government, from local to State and Federal. These positions are expected to grow at more than double the rate of all occupations nationwide, with professionals making a median annual salary of $65,320. Social Work Stress Management – How To Become A Professional Social Worker And Find Work-Life-Balance Browse more in Social Work Earning an MSW degree is a great way to launch a social work career. Applying for a career in a nontraditional setting like a corporate office may put candidates with social work degrees in competition with job seekers who have education or experience in fields directly related to the business. Join us as we explore the alternative careers for social workers that could await. Just … Employment Counsellor. In this role, you need at least a bachelor’s degree. Since 1958, Brandman University has been serving the unique needs of adult students. Social workers can become emotionally and physically exhausted while providing clients with guidance. Settlement Worker. To My Fellow Burnt Out Social Workers: Career Change from Social Work. You might consider putting your skills to use as a paralegal, for example. Many social workers thrive in nonprofit institutions and advocacy organizations. Privacy Policy. Leroy-London also encourages social workers to develop an assertive character and set boundaries. You'll need: counselling skills including active listening and a … “Because of the uncertain economy, ... sees pursuing a nontraditional social work path as opening up new career opportunities. This by no ... Social Worker #4152 Social Advocate #4152 Case Manager #4212 Crisis Intervention Worker #4212 Child Welfare Worker #4212 Group Home worker #4212 Meals-on-Wheels Co-ordinator Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. your degree, along with alternative careers that may not be as directly related to what you have studied. Alternative Careers For Counselors. “Social workers learn to advocate,” Dr. Pearlman explains, “which can transfer well to a career in politics or lobbying.”. I'm currently a BSW student and from what I've heard doing work for adult foster or group home services has a much lower burn out rate, and it's generally a pretty safe population to work with, mainly the physically and mentally disabled. As a high school teacher, your day-to-day life might include creating lesson plans, assessing students’ abilities, meeting one-on-one with students as needed and communicating with parents about students’ progress. All of your community-focused experience will be put to good use, as you’d be working directly with community members and stakeholders to identify any necessary programs and services. The basic skills and duties of social work are very transferable and will serve you well in your new job direction, whether it's closely related or in another field entirely. While we often think of a teacher’s core duties as centered on imparting subject-specific knowledge to young minds. Brandman University offers more than 90 career paths for our students. 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