There’s a common theme among helping professionals when asked about their “why”—we want to help other people. This goal is often born from our own complicated histories and the healing journeys we’ve been on as we make meaning of our experiences. But wanting to help others doesn’t mean we automatically know how to go about helping. It wasn’t until I began researching the various helping professions that I learned more about the path to becoming a social worker and the opportunities that would open up for me by getting my Master’s in Social Work.
The Unique Value of an MSW
While each of the helping professions work toward making life better for other people, there are differences in perspective regarding how we approach the work. Social work, as a profession, takes a more holistic approach, centering the person-in-environment as a main tenant of our work. We’re taught to view clients through a strengths-based lens and that people are best understood in the context of their individual make-up, family dynamics, cultural and spiritual background, environmental determinants and the larger systems issues that impact society.
The profession of social work is also deeply committed to advocacy and social justice work, on a micro, mezzo, and macro level. This piece of our work asks us to examine how larger systems, from social policy to the influence of hetero-normative patriarchal society, often takes away a person’s agency, leaving them oppressed and in need of support. In short, trained social workers have the skills necessary to make sense of all the moving parts of a person’s world and how these pieces intersect with each other to create strengths and barriers.
A Master’s in Social Work program offers students the opportunity to develop this unique skill set through the teaching of clinical skills, engaging in effective research and evaluation of programs, advocacy, and examining our own privilege and biases. We take what’s learned in the classroom and apply it in the real world through various field placements. In becoming a well-rounded social worker through an accredited MSW program, we create the opportunity for different work experiences, allowing us to evolve within the field of social work.
Career Options and How to Decide if an MSW is Right for You
I always encourage those who want to work within the field of human services to consider an MSW because “you can do A LOT with an MSW.” I, myself, have had several work opportunities because of my MSW and at times, I’ve been able to tailor positions in order to meet my personal needs. I currently own a private practice focusing on perinatal mental health, in part because I needed a work schedule that allowed me to put my kids on and take them off the school bus. It’s given me flexibility to arrange my schedule around school events and doctor appointments, giving me a better work/life balance.
Prior to starting my practice, I had the opportunity to provide clinical supervision for several MSW students, giving me much needed supervisory experience and the chance to give back to the field. The opportunities are truly endless. Many MSW’s go on to become program directors, child protection, forensic social work, school social work, medical social workers, professors, group practice owners, public speakers, politicians, community organizers, case management, and more. The beauty of having an MSW is that a person can truly continue to evolve based on their experiences, skill set, interests, and the circumstances of their personal lives.
When thinking about whether or not an MSW is the right move for you, consider what you’d like your life to look like in terms of work/life balance, career options and sustainability. For those concerned about burnout, advancements in the field, such as electronic medical records and the development of tools meant to streamline data tracking, documentation, and client information, such as Casebook, have made parts of the job easier. And with all of the flexibility an MSW offers, making changes in our career or trying something new is a realistic option, allowing us to make a meaningful impact on the world while meeting the demands of our personal lives.
