If you’ve recently earned a psychology degree, you’ll want to know what your career options are. One option that has a lot of potential is social work. Social work jobs offer meaningful work that can make a difference in the lives of people and communities.
Why Social Work is a Great Career for Psychology Degree Holders
With a psychology degree, you have a background in understanding human behavior and how to help individuals struggling with many different issues, such as mental illness, addiction, trauma, poverty, and homelessness. Social work is a profession that shares many of these same goals.
Working as a social worker, you can use your skills and knowledge to help people in need. You will have a chance to provide counseling, advocacy, and outreach to individuals and communities. Social work is a fulfilling career that allows you to have a positive impact on many lives.
Types of Social Work Jobs Available to Psychology Degree Graduates
There are many different social work jobs to choose from, including roles that focus on different populations, issues, and environments. Some examples include:
Clinical Social Worker
Clinical social workers provide therapy and counseling for individuals, families, and groups. With their psychology background, graduates can make excellent clinicians.
School Social Worker
As a school social worker, you will work with children to help them overcome social, emotional, and academic challenges. With your psychology degree, you will be able to understand the complex needs of the students you work with.
Mental Health Social Worker
With a psychology degree, you will have a strong foundation in mental health issues, making you a valuable mental health social worker. You will work with individuals who struggle with a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Substance Abuse Social Worker
As a substance abuse social worker, you will work with individuals and groups who struggle with addiction. You will help them cope with the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of addiction.
Job Outlook and Salary for Social Work Jobs
The job outlook for social work jobs is strong. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of social workers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
The average salary for social workers varies by field, but you can expect to earn an average salary of $61,750 per year as a clinical social worker, $49,470 per year as a school social worker and $47,510 per year as a mental health social worker.
Education and Certification Requirements
To become a social worker, you will typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field, such as psychology. You will also need to obtain a state license or certification. Some social work jobs may require a master’s degree in social work, such as becoming a clinical social worker.
Conclusion
Social work is a rewarding career path for psychology degree graduates. With the growing demand for social workers and the important role they play in society, this is an ideal time to pursue a career in social work. Whether working with individuals, families, or communities, social work allows you to help people overcome challenges and improve their lives. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in social work, consider your education and certification requirements, and explore the different types of social work jobs available to you.
