Majoring in social services can lead to a rewarding career path for students who want to help others. This type of work focuses on providing people with the services they need to live a happier and healthier life. The following are some of the top reasons to consider pursuing this kind of education and career.
Social workers or people who work in social services help improve the lives of those in need. This can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the kind of work social workers choose to do, such as helping people access financial resources or find employment. This type of work provides a fulfilling career, especially for those who consider it their duty to help others.
The need for social services work isn’t going away anytime soon. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for social workers through 2029 is 13 percent growth. This is more than three times higher than the overall average of 4 percent for all jobs. This job outlook indicates that there is going to be a growing need for social workers in the coming years.
A social services major provides opportunities to develop several important skills that can be used for a wide range of jobs. When you choose a social services major, you’ll learn and develop skills like communication, problem-solving, time management, collaboration, and other skills that employers highly value. No matter what type of job you end up getting in social services, you’ll be able to put these skills to good use.
Earning a social services degree opens up an array of career options to choose from upon graduation. You might decide to focus on working with children, or you might choose to mainly work with senior citizens. You could work in a hospital, an assisted living home, or with a nonprofit. With so many job options to consider in the social work sector, you can count on finding work that fulfills your career goals and personal aspirations, and help others while you do it.
While working on your degree, you can check for educational opportunities that are available. For example, you might be able to do an internship or shadow a social worker on the job to learn more about the day-to-day aspects of this career. Taking advantage of potential educational opportunities can better prepare you for work in the social services sector after you graduate.
As you study hard for your social services major, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about yourself. Social work gives you a chance to get to know yourself better as you learn what it takes to improve the lives of others. You might discover what motivates you, or you might find that you’re drawn to help a certain population. Learning more about yourself can make this type of work even more rewarding.
Studying social services offers opportunities to meet others who have the same career interests and goals. While the particulars might differ, they’ll share the same overall goal of wanting to help others and make a difference in local communities, regions, or even the world. Meeting others who share your passion can inspire you to do your best, ensure you earn your degree, and pursue meaningful work in this field.
Social work gives you a chance to make an impact in a wide range of ways. You’ll make small differences in your local community, such as helping a family find housing, or you might focus on making bigger differences that benefit the entire community. Your work in social services might also end up making a difference on a larger scale if you work for a national or international organization. Big or small, your work can change lives and show people the love of God.
Varied Work Environment
The social services sector provides you with a varied work environment that can change on a daily basis. If you don’t enjoy work that feels repetitive, you won’t have to worry about that as a social worker. Depending on the kind of job you have, your daily experience will differ considerably. For example, you might visit schools or hospitals as part of your job, or you might go to people’s homes or interact with the community.
While it’s not the main reason to major in social services, practical considerations must be accounted for, and salary potential is something to consider. According to BLS, social workers have a median pay of $51,760 per year. This can range from $33,020 to more than $85,820 depending on the type of job you have, years of experience, and other factors. For example, healthcare social workers earn an average salary of $57,630 per year.
Working in social services allows you to prevent problems from occurring rather than focusing on solving issues after they happen. For example, some social workers make sure that patients in hospitals have arranged care at home before being discharged. This can lower the risk of patients needing to return to the hospital.
If you’re planning to major in social services, please contact Geneva College to learn more about our available degree programs. Our social services major offers a Christ-centered approach that helps you combine your faith with the practical skills needed for this type of career.
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
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