What kind of jobs does a social worker do?

I've been thinking about social work as a career path, but I want a better sense of the jobs social workers typically do. What areas do they usually specialize in, and what might their day-to-day work involve?

Social work is a diverse field that can revolve around several client types and environments. Broadly speaking, the field can be divided into two categories: direct services and clinical or mental health.

Direct service social workers often deal with the assessment of their client's needs - this can be anything from housing, and food security, to accessing government benefits and healthcare. They work on connecting individuals and families to resources to improve situations. They also frequently specialize in specific demographic groups such as children, the elderly, or homeless individuals.

On the other hand, clinical social workers provide therapeutic services. This involves diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral health conditions. They're licensed to provide mental health therapy and must have a Master's degree in Social Work and at least two years of post-master's supervised work experience in a clinical setting.

Common areas of specialization include healthcare (hospital social workers, hospice social workers), school social work (working with students dealing with bullying, learning disabilities, and other challenges), child and family social work (involved in cases of abuse or neglect) and substance abuse and mental health (helping clients cope with addiction, depressions, anxiety, etc.).

A day in the life of a social worker could vary greatly depending on their specialized field. However, their tasks typically involve conducting interviews with clients to assess their needs, developing plans to improve their clients' well-being, providing counseling or therapy sessions, and helping clients navigate the legal, medical, or social services systems. They may also advocate on behalf of their clients, whether that means helping them fight for custody of their children, secure a spot in a good rehab facility, or locate stable housing.

One key to keep in mind is that social work often involves working in emotionally charged, stressful situations and involves a level of emotional resilience. It is a field bred from a passion to help others and make a direct impact in their lives.