Is a career in social work worth pursuing?

A career in social work regularly appears at the top of many lists of the most satisfying career paths you can follow, alongside jobs in healthcare and teaching.

For example, in a ranking by Forbes of the most meaningful occupations, social work takes seventh place, and many social workers report that the job gives them great personal satisfaction.

In addition to being a career that gives you a profound sense of meaning in your work, social work is also very much an in-demand profession. According to the most recent data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for social workers is set to grow at an average rate of around 12%, which is considerably faster than the industry average.

Advances in online technology have also helped to make a career in social work more accessible than ever. This is useful because the social work profession often sees higher rates of career changers compared to other industries or sectors.

Online educational programs have helped to open a social work career path to more individuals. This includes programs such as the Spalding University social work master’s degree online. These programs provide a way for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree to pursue an advanced-standing program in social work. 

What exactly is it that makes a career in social work worth pursuing?

Why social work is a satisfying career

Although it may seem obvious, many people focus on salary and lose sight of the fact that job satisfaction will inevitably play an important role in shaping how you feel about yourself and your life.

Studies also show that individuals who are engaged in work where the focus is on helping others tend to find more meaning in their work. 

This is something that is a core part of social work, and it helps to explain why people tend to derive such satisfaction from this line of work. As a social worker, you will work to support individuals, organizations, and even entire communities. You will help them to solve specific problems they can’t solve alone, such as improving their living conditions, educational outcomes, or various other related social justice issues.

If you have always been attracted to a job with a higher sense of purpose, it is more than likely that you will find a career in social work deeply fulfilling – and it may even help you sleep more soundly at night.

Another attractive feature of a career in social work is that it tends to have higher levels of job security. In addition to the high demand for social workers across the U.S., which is growing at a rate that is faster than the average, social workers also tend to be public employees. This comes not only with more job security but also a whole range of other benefits including enhanced pensions, healthcare, and vacations.

With all this in mind, if you are searching for a career that offers stability and a profound sense of satisfaction, a career in social work is worth pursuing.