Social Work Practice With Children - Essay Example

 Social Work Practice With Children My job of choice is a family social worker. This field is growing fast. The pay was not a factor in my choice, but is adequate for my needs. In the course of my research, I looked up two books and one online source. I also interviewed two shelter workers. Social workers of today face many obstacles. Child abuse is only one aspect of the job. Social workers are needed to counsel families and give them the coping skills to function. This fast paced career is a growing industry with the need of more workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (2009) description of a family social worker is as follows: Family social workers provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the well-being of families and the academic functioning of children. They may assist single parents, arrange adoptions, or help find foster homes for neglected, abandoned, or abused children. The goal is not to take children away or break up families. The goal is to unite families and make them function better. Employment is projected to grow much faster than average. About 5 out of 10 jobs were in health care and social assistance industries and 3 in 10 work for State and local government agencies. While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement, a master’s degree in social work or a related field has become the standard for many positions. Competition for jobs is expected in cities, but opportunities should be good in rural This suggests a good chance of employment after I graduate from college. If I cannot find a job in the city, rural opportunities would be available. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009) reports the growth and earning potential of a family social worker favorably. “Employment of child, family and school social workers is expected to grow by 19 percent, which is faster than the average for all occupations” reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009). Salaries are “Median annual earnings of child, family, and school social workers were $37,480 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,590 and $49,060. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,480, and the top 10 percent earned more than $62,530” according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009). This is adequate for the field. I interviewed two individuals in the field of social work that have current employment at a shelter. The need of a shelter can be for many reasons. Collins, Jordan, and Coleman (2009) report that battered women and the homeless are in need of shelters (40 and 236). Shelters also provide safety, food, and other necessities that families cannot provide for themselves. Webb (2003) explains that shelters are often overcrowded (336). This means the services are vital and much in need. I learned about the shelters from these two individuals interviewed. My interviews were five days apart. I prepared five questions for my first interview and four questions for my second. The individual responses were different, but consistent in nature. I learned about an Assistant Shelter Coordinator and Shelter Assistant’s jobs and the relevance of social work toward these jobs. The qualifications for these positions were discussed. Also mentioned was the personal qualities needed for a job in the social worker field. The first interview was located at the shelter, which will not be named, on Monday, September 21, 2009. I spoke with Cindy Martin about her job activities at the shelter. My notes are as follows: 1. What is the title of the person you are interviewing? Assistant Shelter Coordinator 2. What educational program is recommended as preparation? CPR training, social work purposes and possibilities, anxiety and panic disorder, domestic violence classes were what Ms. Martin recommended. 3. What degree or certificate do employers look for? A bachelor’s degree in caseworkers/social workers or in related fields like sociology or psychology. 4. What steps besides meeting educational and experience requirements are necessary to break into this occupation? Ms. Martin suggests it helps to be a personable type of individual who likes to deal all races and ethnic people of society. 5. Which skills are most important to acquire? Ms. Martin advised that workers in this field need a good sense of humor, an individual that can control their temper, and someone not easily offended. Ms. Martin also mentioned it helps in her career that she does not take anything personal. The second interview was located at the shelter on Saturday September 26,2009. I spoke with Stacey Kuder about her job activities at the shelter. My notes are as follows: 1. What is the title of the person you are interviewing? Shelter Assistant 2. What educational program is recommended as preparation? Ms. Kuder thought writing skills were indispensable. She also recommended psychology, sociology, statistics, and intercultural communication related studies. 3. What degree or certificate do employers look for? Masters/Bachelors in clinical social work. 4. Which skills are most important to acquire? Ms. Kuder believes that good communication skills are a must in her line of work. She also expressed that the emotional and physical strain of her job are difficult. Many social workers, including herself, do not pursue this career for money, but because they want to make a difference. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009) explains that the family social work industry is expected to grow. Things I never thought about, like dealing with individuals that do not speak English, handicapped individuals, different cultures, and war veterans, were revealed by these two interviews. I, like most people, envisioned the homeless, child abusers, or the victims of abuse as a class of their own. This is not necessarily true. These individuals are not a specific color, religion, culture, or gender. People that need help are individuals. That was the lasting impression made on me by the two interviews and my research into family social work. Bibliography Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2009). U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Social Workers. October 19, 2009. Online. Collins, D., C. Jordan, and H. Coleman. (2009). An introduction to family social work. New York: Brooks and Cole. Print. Webb, N.B. (2003). Social work practice with children. New York: The Guilford Press. Read More