Social Work Careers

Community social workers support the well-being of a larger community like a neighborhood, school system, city or state. They can be involved in every stage of planning and running organizations that promote community health. Community social workers write grant proposals, advocate for the needs of a community, conduct research and manage non-profits or government agencies.

Corrections social workers assess inmates, provide therapy, and monitor inmates’ mental health while they are incarcerated. Corrections social workers also run group sessions to teach inmates how to regulate their emotions, learn coping skills, and set goals for success after they are released from prison. 

Foster care social workers support children and families who are part of the foster system. They help place children into foster homes, conduct wellness checks, mentor foster parents and can even work to reunite families who have been separated. Foster care social workers can be found in family service agencies, schools and government agencies.

Health care social workers support individuals and families dealing with chronic, acute or terminal illnesses. They help patients find medical care, act as a patient advocate, provide therapy and assist with educational classes. Health care social workers can be found in home health services, hospice facilities, hospitals and inpatient mental health clinics.

Licensed clinical social workers are mental health care professionals who provide psychotherapy to individuals, families and groups. They are required to become licensed in the state they wish to practice in and focus on assessing and diagnosing clients with psychological conditions as well as providing therapeutic interventions. Licensed clinical social workers can work in a wide variety of environments including private practice, hospitals, public schools and residential treatment facilities.

Military social workers help members of the armed forces process traumatic deployment experiences and assimilate back into civilian life. They also support veterans and service members’ families and advocate for access to benefits and rehabilitative support. Military social workers can be found on military bases and at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offices.

Social workers in non-profit leadership positions have a unique opportunity to impact their communities. Working in organizations like child care agencies, homeless shelters, food banks, public health services and refugee and immigrant services, a background in social work can be an invaluable resource. 

School social workers help students succeed by making connections with their school, home and community. They provide leadership in forming school discipline policies and conduct mental health interventions, crisis management and support services.  

Social workers play a critical role in higher education settings as they focus on the psychosocial functioning of individual students. They support students through academic challenges, relationship trauma and other life stressors. Social workers can also take positions as professors and conduct academic research.

Substance abuse social workers help people who are suffering from addiction. They provide counseling and may arrange support group meetings and housing for their clients. Substance abuse social workers may also support clients who are in legal trouble by helping them uphold probation conditions or parole terms. 

Field work can help you find your calling! This pivotal, in-person experience lets you explore different settings while being supervised by a master’s level social worker. 

Learn more about MSW Online Field Work

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