The field of social work is competitive, dynamic, and constantly changing. But despite the importance of skilled social workers today, there are a variety of unsubstantiated myths that surround the field.
So, let's get right to it: we're here to debunk some of those myths and provide you with some factual information on the mission-driven social work field.
Myth 1: Anyone with a kind heart can become a social worker:
False! Of course, empathy and compassion are important traits for a social worker to have, but there's much more to it than that. A social worker is a highly-trained, skilled professional who holds an advanced social work degree from an accredited university (all states license or otherwise regulate social work practice).
In other words, being a social service professional or community worker doesn't necessarily make you a social worker, but rather, you need a formal degree to break into the field.
Myth 2: Social workers are underpaid.
Untrue! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for professionals working in the social work field is $50,470, which is thousands of dollars more than the national average for all occupations.
Depending on the type of social work career you pursue, you can expect to make even more. For instance, if you choose to work in the nonprofit sector, in a STEM-related field, or as an entrepreneur, you can expect to make thousands of dollars more than the BLS prediction.
In addition, the field of social work is predicted to grow 13 percent in the next 10 years, which is much faster than the average for all other occupations.
Myth 3: Becoming a licensed social worker in difficult.
Wrong! Most Master of Social Work programs put you on track to work towards your social work license. Once you graduate with your MSW, you should be well prepared to pass the necessary exam to become a licensed social worker.
For instance, graduates of West Virginia University's MSW program are eligible to pursue social work licensure at their degree level. States can have varying requirements for clinical licensure, so please see the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensing and regulation website for detailed information about state-specific licensing.
Myth 4: CPS is the only social work career option.
Incorrect! Of course, social workers are needed as case workers or therapists for Child Protective Services, but CPS is only one of the many, many work environments/career options for social workers. More on this below, but in reality, there are countless options for professionals seeking a meaningful career in the field of social work!
Myth 5: There are limited social work careers in few work environments.
Social work jobs are vast and diverse. In fact, social workers are needed in all of the following professional landscapes:
- Health services
- Adoption agencies
- Military personnel and veteran services
- Churches
- Schools
- Correctional facilities
- Courts
- Police departments
- Universities and colleges
- Immigration agencies
- Social services
With this in mind, you can choose to work in whatever professional environment makes the most sense for you — a work environment that matches your interests and your long-term career goals.
Hear from a current MSW student at West Virginia University:
We spoke to Meg Haller, an extraordinary graduate student who is pursuing the MSW MPA dual degree program at West Virginia University. Here's what Meg had to say about her experience in WVU's MSW program:
"When I completed my BSW, I knew I wanted to continue on and get my MSW, but I also knew I wanted to do more. I ended up finding the dual degree with Public Administration, and it felt like a perfect fit for me.
I knew I did not want to go into direct practice social work, and I had more of an interest in community development, research, and policy. I knew the MSW program would dive into these topics, but I wanted to expand and go a little deeper. I knew getting an MPA would provide me with the skills and information I would need."
Interested in getting an MSW at WVU?
Social work is not for the faint of heart — it's a competitive industry with often high stakes for the clients you work with. For this reason, the field needs driven, compassionate, and skilled professionals who can overcome challenges, find innovative solutions, and ultimately, transform the lives of others.
As you consider the social work field, please feel free to explore our MSW program or sign up for a virtual MSW info session!
And if you're ready to join the community of experts at WVU, we invite you to request more information or start your online application today.
We're hosting a variety of virtual MSW info sessions this fall and winter — RSVP for one today!
