So, you are thinking about a career as a social worker.

Well, that’s awesome!

The question is, do you have what it takes?

Keep reading to find out more…

If you are interested in becoming a social worker, you are in good company. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the workforce is made up of 682,100 social workers in the United States.

So, is there any room left for you?

Great question!

And the answer is yes.

Employment of social workers is projected to grow by 16 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will occur for a number of reasons and will vary by specialization.

Employment of child, family, and school social workers is projected to grow 14 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. Child and family social workers will be needed to work with families to strengthen parenting skills, prevent child abuse, and identify alternative homes for children who are unable to live with their biological families. In schools, more social workers will be needed as student enrollments rise. However, employment growth of child, family, and school social workers may be limited by federal, state, and local budget constraints.

Employment of healthcare social workers is projected to grow 20 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Healthcare social workers will continue to be needed to help aging populations and their families adjust to new treatments, medications, and lifestyles.

Employment of mental health and substance abuse social workers is projected to grow 19 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment will grow as more people seek treatment for mental illness and substance abuse. In addition, drug offenders are increasingly being sent to treatment programs, which are staffed by these social workers, rather than being sent to jail.

Who is becoming a social worker?

According to datausa.io, the social worker workforce in the U.S. is 80.5% female.

What personal qualities and characteristics make a good social worker?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following qualities are important to have as a social worker.

Communication skills. Clients talk to social workers about challenges in their lives. To provide effective help, social workers must be able to listen to and understand their clients’ needs.

Emotional skills. Social workers often work with people who are in stressful and difficult situations. To develop strong relationships, they must have patience, compassion, and empathy for their clients.

Interpersonal skills. Social workers need to be able to work with different groups of people. They need strong interpersonal skills to foster healthy and productive relationships with their clients and colleagues.

Organizational skills. Social workers must help and manage multiple clients, often assisting with their paperwork or documenting their treatment.

Problem-solving skills. Social workers need to develop practical and innovative solutions to their clients’ problems.

The bottom line: If becoming a social worker is something you feel passionately about, the one word of advice we will give you is: Go for it!