Career Overview: What I Do As a Social Worker
We all like to think that we are doing everything in our power to make the world a better place and help those in need, but some people choose to make a career out of it. Social workers work tirelessly to help those in need without much glamor or fame.
To learn a little about the day-to-day work of a social worker, we spoke with Keith Abramson, who is currently working with the Lung Cancer Alliance .
Tell us about your current position and how long you have been in it.
My name is Keith Abramson. I have been working as a social worker for seven years. At the beginning of my 7 – Year lucky seven, I joined the Lung Cancer Alliance as a support services manager.
What prompted you to choose your career path? Why social work?
Since childhood, I have had this clichéd desire to “help people”. When I was younger, my parents were very active volunteers in social services. When I learned that advocating for those without a voice and working on their behalf to bring about positive change in their lives is a significant aspect of social work, I knew this was my path.
How did you get a job? What kind of education and experience did you need? Do you need any licenses or certificates?
Most social workers have a master’s degree in social work from an accredited school. Each state has its own individual exam and licensing process. After graduate school, you take the Certified Social Worker (LGSW) exam. Two years later, while working in the field under the supervision of a social worker, you take another exam for LICSW status.
The six years I spent at a community mental health center working with the mentally ill and disabled prepared me to counsel the patients I encounter in my current situation; Lung cancer survivors and their families tackle a variety of health problems as they fight the disease.
What are you doing besides what most people see? What do you actually spend most of your time on?
The responsibilities of a social worker vary from job to job and vary greatly depending on who we are trying to help. In my previous job, I worked directly with mentally ill patients and people struggling with serious health problems, and spent most of my time on things like promoting their care, helping them maintain their correct mental health, helping them get the right drugs. as well as continuation of treatment. ongoing therapy and skill development.
In these types of roles, you need to be flexible because your schedule can change very quickly depending on the needs of the people who rely on your support. The counseling skills I learned in my first job are helping me every day to answer calls from a lung cancer patient who is looking for answers to their questions, whether it is about the new treatment they are looking for or helping them find a support group in their home. … square. If I had to recap this, I would say that mostly social workers are master listeners who try to make life a little easier for people going through hard times.
What misconceptions do people often have about your job?
I think when most people hear the term social worker, they think of people who come to pick up children from families, such as the characters you see on shows like Law & Order. The truth is, people have no idea how vast our work can be. Depending on your specific focus area, you can make an impact in a variety of professional environments. For example, I started my career working for a local mental health agency and then moved to the non-profit world working with lung cancer patients in the United States. They are two very different work environments, but the desire to help people is the same in both cases. These skills never change. The bottom line is that there are no set rules for what you can do with your social work degree. The professional opportunities are endless and limited only by personal interest and skill set.
What’s your average uptime?
Hours of work can vary, as in many professions, depending on what type of social work you are doing. Now my hours are mostly 9 to 5, but in previous jobs I had to get up early in the morning to meet with clients, or call late at night to find someone I haven’t seen in weeks.
What personal tips and shortcuts have made your job easier?
Over the years, I’ve learned that being flexible and open to change is one of the most important things you can do as a social worker. You may find it difficult to do this if you are concerned about adhering to a schedule and expecting people to behave in a certain way. I’ve learned to accept uncertainty and adjust on the fly.
What are you doing differently from your colleagues or colleagues in the same profession? What are they doing instead?
I am not sure if I am doing anything different from my colleagues, since we all have the same basic goals. As social workers, we are uniquely trained to help people make the most of opportunities for change in themselves and / or their situation. You influence change, big or small, on a daily basis. Plus, your daily to-do list may change every day. I don’t think I’ve ever said that I’m bored with social work.
What’s the worst part of a job and how do you deal with it? I believe this work can have emotional consequences.
Sometimes the work of a social worker can be tedious. There are some really good days and some really bad days. You work with people who can be happy, anxious, depressed, angry, and frustrated at the same time. Obviously, it’s best to take time for yourself and know your limits. You also need to understand that some people are not ready for change and may have many setbacks until they reach a breakthrough that moves them in a more positive direction.
What is the most enjoyable part of the job?
Probably the most enjoyable part of the job is building constructive relationships with patients. Protecting a person or family who has no voice is a very inspiring work that fits with what I’ve always wanted to do. Helping someone who is looked down upon by other people to achieve their goals and reach their potential is worth the effort.
What advice can you give to people who need to use your services?
I think sometimes people see a social worker when they are not ready yet. If you have no desire to change, it will be very difficult for us to work with you. It’s okay not to know how to change or what to do to help yourself, but as long as you say you’re ready to move in a positive direction, working with a social worker will be effective.
How much money can you expect at your job?
As a social worker, you will never become a millionaire, no matter where you work. However, most people who work in this area will probably agree that they are not doing it for the money.
How are you “progressing” in your field?
As I mentioned earlier, there is no definite “social work” job, which is actually very good. This profession offers many opportunities for long-term advancement and great growth potential. Most people will work immediately after school as a mentor, rehabilitation professional, or similar entry-level job. This is where you will definitely be the most overworked, but it will help you better understand where you would like to work in the long term in a professional environment. Once you understand this, you need to immerse yourself in this environment in order to gain the necessary counseling skills that you will need as you take on more responsibility and take on a more complex burden.
For me, the Lung Cancer Alliance has been an excellent transitional stage and “advancement” in my field. I work with lung cancer patients from all over the country and can use my skills learned during my initial social work training. I still support patients, but I also work as a resource for other social workers who are committed to creating a local support environment for the people they work with on a daily basis.
What do people underestimate / overestimate in what you do?
I think people underestimate the importance of the one-on-one communication that happens on a daily basis between social workers and their patients. If an outsider looks at the tasks and actions of a social worker, it can be difficult to see that something meaningful is happening, but it highlights the importance of a relationship that deepens over time. We’re really working to lay the groundwork for real progress.
On the other hand, I think people overestimate the impartiality that should be shown in a professional environment, especially in the face of difficult circumstances. Sometimes we get angry when we take a personal interest in someone else’s life, when they are struggling with a mental illness or a diagnosis of advanced cancer. This is a normal reaction to stressful circumstances.
Trust me, we can feel it, we know that some of these situations suck, and we also talk to people after we’re done. People need us to be with them “in the moment” in order to overcome problems. When they contact us, it is important that they know that they are not alone.
What advice would you give to those who want to become your profession?
I would encourage them to make sure they understand what they are passionate about and how they want to make a difference. After all, social work is a career that meets a basic desire to truly help others. It’s not easy work, but it can be so rewarding, actionable, and meaningful for many communities that need an open-minded listener to help solve problems.