Social Worker

Duties and Responsibilities:

Social worker is often a challenging, yet rewarding career. Social workers are responsible for helping individuals, families, and groups of people to cope with problems they’re facing to improve their patients’ lives. One aspect of this is teaching skills and developing mechanisms for patients to rely on to better their lives and experiences.

Salary:

$52,490

Education:

In most cases, you will work under supervision for two or three years after graduation. All states require post-master’s practice for independent clinical licensing. Many require it for higher level nonclinical licensing – even for macro work like administration.

Eventually, you will take one or more licensing exams. In many states, you’ll take the ASWB masters exam upon graduation (or even before). After you complete your other requirements, you may take the clinical or advanced generalist exam.

It is important to familiarize yourself with state regulations before you begin supervised practice. The single most important contact is your own state board. Find Social Work license requirements in your state here. The National Association of Social Workers, while not a regulating body, is another potential resource.