I think we can all agree the world can be a cruel and unfair place sometimes.

Selfishness and discrimination are running rampant throughout our society and within our very communities.

It seems like everywhere we turn there’s something else that is dividing us and driving us to be more self-centered. Who will advocate for us when we feel like our voices are hushed and we cannot speak up for ourselves? This is where social workers come in. The career of the social worker exists, in short, to help people help themselves. The sole purpose of a social worker’s career is to improve the lives of others no matter what it looks like. This can go from assisting people with issues in everyday life to something more complex like helping deal with relationships or family problems. Social workers have a positive impact in the community and society as a whole just by giving a voice to those who feel voiceless. 

As a profession social work is considered fairly new but the concept of social work can date back to thousands of years. If we just date back using religious texts such as the Old Testament in Jewish and early Christian beliefs and the Quran of Islam, you can see that the philosophy of helping those in need are deeply rooted in those cultures. Prior to the 17th century the church was seen as responsible for the social and physical needs of the poor. (Gladden, 2018) The root of social work probably begins with social welfare which is when the government began supporting members of society so that they were able to meet basic human needs such as food and shelter. Social work would be considered those who acted on working to provide for the poor. 

Charity Organization Societies (also known as, COSs) was an early system developed in 1617 by St. Vincent de Paul in France. “These groups were somewhat unorganized in their practices, so in 1633 he formed a more structured organization he named the “Sisters of Charity,” which worked with families after they had been screened and placed at a certain level of poverty based on their ability to support themselves. St. Vincent de Paul created both a system of friendly visitation to the poor and a format to keep from indiscriminately giving to those who may be able to at least partially care for themselves.” (Gladden, 2018) This idea began a movement of organized visiting of people in poverty and eventually made its way to England and Buffalo, New York. The system in New York was a direct transplant of the one in England where “A large degree of the success of these societies was due to the involvement of the local universities and the interest and dedication of the faculty and students. Octavia Hill, who had worked with those in poverty in London, read a paper on the “Importance of Aiding the Poor Without Alms-Giving” in the same year the COS was founded, reinforcing the philosophy of spending time with the poor.” (Gladden, 2018)

“One of the key beliefs of the COS was that society can be made whole by using scientific principles in a relationship of love and kindness (Specht & Courtney, 1994). The relationship of the friendly visitor to the poor was central to these workings. As Watson (1922) stated, “the need for friendship and neighborliness is so great … that charity organization societies develop friendly visiting as a fundamental part of the personal service they render to many of their families” (p. 149). In theory this was to provide a supportive relationship for the individual.” (Gladden, 2018)

These steppingstones and many, many others were fundamental in the development of Social Work education and the profession itself. Even though a lot of the agencies before likely failed, the place was set for Social Work on an individual level and the community level. It wasn’t until the early 1900s that the term social work was even coined. The term came from the idea of social works as in good works. Major life events such as World War 1 made this type of work more essential than ever. With families left behind with men who went to war, there were a lot of not only broken families but broken people who have seen unexplainable things and a variety of needs. In 1917, Mary Richmond assisted in forming the Division of the American Red Cross hoping to reach these families nationwide. Even as the program disintegrated in 1921, it still made a huge impact on society with over 3,000 offices and 40,000 workers set in place at the time.

Previous to this in 1897, she had one of the first public speeches seeking for the development of a training and educational program for the new social worker movement. Various leaders alongside her acknowledged the variety of training that was currently in place wasn’t enough due to the depth and support needed for these fields. They needed a common ground, more than just the lectures and the apprenticeships provided. They needed a program in place to set the foundation for a secure future. One year later the first summer course for social workers was developed and provided in New York. By the year 1910, the program had expanded from a summer course to a full-on two-year program allowing two of the leading faculty members, Sophonisba Brekinridge and Edith Abbott, to create the first school of social work connected to a major research university, the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration.  

Less than 10 years later there were 15 schools of social work in place and by the mid 1920s social work and its education was firmly established. “In 1932, a curriculum committee adopted a minimum curriculum to ensure that social workers had a basic education in 13 different subjects covering four categories (Bruno, 1944). The role of a social worker had expanded out to include much more than just people living in poverty. It now dealt with family issues, mental health issues, medical problems, problems with children and school, and more.” (Gladden, 2018) This was only the beginning of many, many new developments in the Social Work curriculum and coverage. 

The 21st century that we now live in calls for constant need for growth and change especially as social welfare has also developed and changed over the last century. The general basis of knowledge needed for social work is to be able to connect people with the resources they need in order to be better. It is now required to have an Associates Degree in Arts with pre-social work courses and a Bachelors in Social Work. You can now even get your masters to specialize in whatever field you are most interested in including the ever-growing clinical aspect of it all.

As mentioned, social work covers a lot of ground area now and it is such a versatile field that is constantly growing and maturing based on the societal needs of the people. There are several skills needed in the field aside from just a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. You have to have compassion for people and be willing and able to comprehend difficult topics and situations. Emotional intelligence and empathy is a huge factor in this because you have to be able to interpret nonverbal cues to be able to help with your cases. Not to mention other communication skills, active listening skills, advocacy, cultural competency, the list goes on. One of the reasons this field appealed to me specifically is because of all that it addresses in the healing aspects of society.. 

When you receive a degree in social work you are able to serve the community in a multitude of ways. You can work as a family counselor, working with parents to help keep their family together, you can work in an elementary school and do individual or group therapy sessions, work in an advocacy or policy guiding role working with politicians and policy makers to advocate for at-risk populations. The possibilities seem almost endless. Wherever you can find people in need, there will be somewhere for you to be. 

Social work needs to be done in every corner of the nation. Nationally there’s a lot of work that needs to be done. In a research article presented by Dr. Anna Clarke, she explored the service barriers social workers encountered. while working with foster clients aging out of placement in the Virgin Islands. In this research article, they interviewed several social workers and in their findings they discovered a lot of common barriers including but not limited to, lack of family support, lack of housing, lack of training and employment opportunity for adolescents, as well as some involving client cooperation. There were hopes in place that these findings would inspire positive change in these fields and hopefully allow for change to occur. 

On page 13 of the article, it dives into the social workers role in the foster care system. Social workers in foster care act as case managers. They cover responsibilities such as supporting the foster family, collaboration with other agencies, addressing any policies that might be in -place as well as conduct and employ research. When working in child welfare the social worker is not only an advocate for their client but one of the legislations as well and work to assist on cases of neglect and child abuse. (Clarke, A., Foster Are Service Barriers and Social Work Practice in the Virgin Islands, pg. 13-14)  

This article goes on to explain the challenges special workers face on the VI but these are not challenges that are unique to the Virgin Islands. When Dr. Clarke dives more into the service barriers, specifically around aged out youth, it’s part of the role of the social worker to develop strategies around these challenges. One strategy that I’m going to speak about because per this research it has increased in momentum in the past few years. The strategy is called mentoring, specifically a natural mentor, not someone who is appointed to the aging adolescent. A natural mentor is a trusted adult in the adolescent’s social circle, this could be someone like a teacher, a neighbor or a coach. The relationships are important to a successful transition to adulthood. (Clarke, A., 2020, Foster Are Service Barriers and Social Work Practice in the Virgin Islands, pg.22-23) Advocates and passionate adults are needed everywhere.

Internationally, Social work is making waves in every part of the world. In a 2021 online article, The Jerusalem Post, it spoke about a new program at Sapir College in Ashkelon. The School of Social Work’s new programs provides those who graduated from social work in Palestinian colleges with theoretical background, practice experience in Israel, as well as training from social workers who have experience in the country. This will hopefully help students overcome difficulties and barriers with the Israeli workforces and system. The hope is that once in the workforce, Arab social workers can use their background, Arabic language skills and familiarity in the communities to help in their roles in the social service systems. (The Jerusalem Post., 2021.) “According to Professor Orit Nuttman Schwartz, Dean of the School of Social Work, the program will help “bring about social change. This program will help Israel’s social welfare system provide quality social services to Arab society in Israel by providing these graduates with knowledge and skills that are adapted to Israeli needs.” (The Jerusalem Post, 2021) The year-long program is a collaboration between Sapir, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, and the local councils of Hura, Kseifa, and Ara’ara in the Negev. This is a huge step for social change in this nation.

Even here locally in Rockingham County there are plenty of roles to be filled and every day social workers are making a difference in people’s lives. I interviewed several local social workers in a multitude of fields to ask them about how they feel about the industry locally and as a whole and what kind of challenges they might face. Kayla Martin, a healthcare social worker here in Rockingham County, when asked if she enjoys what she does and what types of challenges she faces she simply stated that although while she was in school she would have never imagined working with the elderly, she really enjoys her job and what she does. She finds her job extremely rewarding but some challenges she faces is the lack of resources in the county. When it comes to things such as mental health she wishes programs were more accessible and available for those in need. She also wishes that the cognitive assessment was more thorough so she would be better able to assist her clients moving forward. 

When talking with another friend, Hannah Kelley, foster case worker turned foster parent, I asked her “knowing what you know now, what kind of advice would you give when getting into this line of work?” As an advocate for the reunification process of foster care she says, “If you are thinking about becoming a foster care social worker, just know that the workload is heavy and I don’t mean that in the amount of work, though that is true, I mean it in the sense that it’s deep. Deeper than a check in the box, these kids and their families are so much more. The truth is you are making decisions every single day that affect human lives. When in this line of work you have to listen to those advocating and fight your hardest for these families. I don’t say this naively. I know the workload, but I also know that the family is worth so much more. That God designed these families, and they deserve respect and advocacy.” This can be true in so many other aspects of social work as well, you are certainly at the dispense of those in need. You become the bridge for people, the only way these kids, families, elderly get what they need to reach the most basic needs for survival, whether that looks like support, safety, food and water, medical resources, the list goes on. You become their advocate in life. 

  According to the National Association of Social Workers, social workers have to follow a code of ethics. There are several ethical principles listed. One specific one that I am going to address is the social justice value. This principle states that “Social Workers challenge social justice.” This can be elaborated with the following statement, “Social workers pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people. Social workers’ social change efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice.” (National Association of Social Workers of Oregon, Code of Ethics) I believe this is a part of this career that isn’t very widely known, at least for me.

When I first began this pursuit, I initially saw social workers as people in cubicles working with the public to get people into a better position. Specifically, I see case workers who work alongside families and children’s safety. Which is covered under this statement but the part that I am wanting to focus on is the idea that social workers challenge social justice. Not only working for the people but fighting for the people and their right to equal opportunity. As I dive deeper, I uncovered the true meaning of what it is to be a social worker, working alongside the people. Being the bridge in society, making the unjust, just. It is the duty of the social worker to serve the people, to help those in need, this includes fighting alongside them for social change.  This expands way beyond just working in a cubicle, this means going out into the communities and working for the people and with those who are in need, who have faced trials and tribulations that aren’t always talked about whether it is the homeless, oppressed or simply those who are less fortunate. Which brings me to my next point, when I am thinking of other principals who can work in collaboration in this field, I picture humanities. Specifically, I think of religious studies and the church, as it was in the beginning of this career, I feel as though social workers and the religious faith serve the same purpose, under the same goodwill. I feel like collaboration between these two studies are important because they both drive from the same roots. I know as a member of the Episcopal Church of North Carolina that there are programs and resources set in place when it comes to racial reckoning, justice and healing which is a prominent part of social injustice in North Carolina, along with many others. Ways that social injustice can be tackled is beginning or becoming part of programs that encourage positive conversation and educate those who need it as well as offering time to volunteer and needed resources in these communities where injustice occurs most frequently. 

It’s no secret that social workers are needed in society and with it being one of the most flexible, versatile careers it will only continue to grow moving forward. In a study done in 2016 by the U.S labor bureau, it projected that by 2026 there will be 790,000 jobs. As far as the job outlook aspect of the career, it is a bright career choice. With so many options on the table you can end up pursuing a career in an array of things including Child, Family and School, Healthcare, Mental health and substance abuse and so much more. With the growing need for mental health in this country as well as the opioid epidemic this country faces, there is always a need for passionate people who strive to make a difference in their city, county, nation or even the world. There is certainly an ongoing need for this career. Based on the study proved it’s even said that the occupation has a higher growth rate than most other options with the same education needed. 

There’s no doubt that the world needs more compassionate humans. People who strive to help others and who are radical enough to be that person that makes a difference in so many people’s lives every day. Social work is a hard, demanding career, it’s for individuals who are truly dedicated to the act. There are everyday challenges that come with the job and there’s constant need for critical thinking and networking with other specialists in various fields to help assist clients to the best of their ability. Overall, the career is ever growing and and a good place to get into if you so see it. 

Citations:

Journal Article

Clarke, A. (2020). Foster care service barriers and social work practice in the virgin islands (Order No. 28153507). Available from ProQuest Central. (2459648067). Retrieved from https://login.proxy151.nclive.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/foster-care-service-barriers-social-work-practice/docview/2459648067/se-2

Cox, M. R., Bowens, B. D., & Newman, T. D. (2022). Children’s social workers’ views on cultural sensitivity in mandated reporting. Child Welfare, 100(3), 55-80. Retrieved from https://login.proxy151.nclive.org/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.proxy151.nclive.org/scholarly-journals/childrens-social-workers-views-on-cultural/docview/2724911632/se-2

Program at sapir college helping integrate arab social workers in israel: The school of social work at sapir inaugurated a new program to help social work graduates of palestinian colleges in the israeli workforce. (2021). Retrieved from English ed.

Źróbek-Różańska, A., Ogryzek, M., & Źróbek-Sokolnik, A. (2022). Creating a healthy environment for children: GIS tools for improving the quality of the social welfare management system. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(12), 7128. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19127128

Book:

Bruce R. Berglund. (2016). Castle and Cathedral : Longing for the Sacred in a Skeptical Age. Central European University Press.

Ehrenreich, J. (2014). The altruistic imagination : A history of social work and social policy in the United states. Cornell University Press.

Elaine James, Rob Mitchell, & Hannah Morgan. (2019). Social Work, Cats and Rocket Science : Stories of Making a Difference in Social Work with Adults. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Gladden, J. L. (2018). Social work leaders through history: Lives and lessons (1st ed.). Springer Publishing Company.

Linda May Grobman. (2019) Days in the lives of social workers : 62 professionals tell “real-life” stories from social work practice. Fifth edition. The New Social Worker Press.

 Tracy Brown Hamilton (2022) Social Workers : A Practical Career Guide. Rowman & Littlefield, an imprint of The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.

Wendy Welch. (2018). Fall or Fly : The Strangely Hopeful Story of Foster Care and Adoption in Appalachia. Ohio University Press.

Websites:

Occupation profile | careeronestop (no date) Occupation Profile for Child, Family and School Social Workers. State of Minnesota . Available at: https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/careers/occupations/occupation-profile.aspx (Accessed: November 14, 2022).

Careers in Social Work: Outlook, pay, and more: Career outlook. https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2018/article/social-workers.htm U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (Accessed: November 20^th, 2022)