Helping Others Make Positive Changes in Their Lives

• As a social worker, you are able to have a positive impact on the lives of the elderly, the disadvantaged, children, or other individuals in need of guidance and direction in their lives. You will help people find solutions to poverty, divorce, addiction, emotional distress and a plethora of other psychological and social issues. Since social work has the potential to be emotionally draining and stressful with minimal financial rewards, an individual interested in this field tends to make a commitment based on a true desire to help others.
  
  

Pursuing Job Growth Potential

• Social work has the advantage of promising job prospects. Employment opportunities for social workers are expected to increase at a faster rate than average for all occupations through 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The most promising area of job growth for social workers is working with the elderly or working in rural areas. Employment prospects for social workers who specialize in child and family services, mental health and substance abuse, social services and public health are also expected to increase as well.
  
  

Furthering a Cause You Are Passionate About

• You may have an interest in becoming a social worker to pursue a cause that is meaningful to you. Social workers sometimes have experienced their own tragedy or triumph and are driven to share their knowledge with others going through similar experiences. Your personal background may include the death of a loved one, physical abuse, alcohol or drug addiction, devastating illness or a host of other issues you are now passionate about. Pursing a career in social work may provide you with an outlet in which you can help countless others overcome comparable obstacles.
  
  

Embracing Curiosity about Human Behavior

• Some social workers want to understand what drives human behavior and the decisions people make. A social worker is typically fascinated by human behavior and social ills within his community, and has a talent for problem solving. You may have a natural curiosity about the world and the people around you. A social worker is often eager to research facts about complex relationships, mental illness, learning disabilities, devastating illness and all the other factors that makes people vulnerable.
  
  

Achieving Personal Fullfilment

• For the right candidate, social work is highly rewarding and meaningful. It is an ideal career for an individual who can be fulfilled by giving of herself in a stressful yet gratifying job environment. A person who is reasonably selfless, empathetic and can rise above sometimes challenging work conditions will find social work a satisfying career option.