Question: Is a Career in Social Work for You?
Answer: The most common social work role is that of care provider. Working closely with people requires a special set of skills and personal characteristics. Is this career for you? Consider:
- Do you have what it takes to work closely with people in a therapeutic setting?
- Are you willing to attend graduate school(often necessary for promotion to supervisory positions)?
- Are you a people person?
- How comfortable are you with managing and resolving conflict?
- Do you enjoy problem solving? Are you good at it?
- Are you patient?
- How well do you manage stress? Deadlines?
- Are you a good listener? Do you have well-developed listening skills?
- Do you work well independently?
- How well do you juggle multiple responsibilities?
- How well do you work with others?
- How well do you handle criticism and disagreements with peers?
- How comfortable will you feel working alongside other professionals, such as nurses, doctors, psychologists, and physical therapists?
- Are you willing to work nights and weekends?
