Jobs Live Inform

Why did you become a social worker?

Community Care spoke to social workers about why, and how, they entered the profession

By on January 28, 2016 in Honesty, Inspiration, Stand Up For Social Work

After a long day filled with meetings, paperwork, more meetings and a bit more paperwork, you could be forgiven for questioning why you chose to enter the career you’re currently in.

For our Stand Up For Social Work campaign, we asked a group of social workers to reflect on the reason they became a social worker and what led them into their careers.

So take a minute, put down the paperwork and today’s 17th coffee and think: Why did you become a social worker?

You can join our Stand up for Social Work campaign by:
• Taking one action and telling us what it is
• Sharing this article
• Sharing what you’ve done to make a difference today
• Writing a letter to your MP
• Changing your profile picture

More from Community Care

Related articles:

2 Responses to Why did you become a social worker?

  1. Michaela February 1, 2016 at 8:21 am #

    I have been a service user and my social worker helped me completley turn my life around and made me believe in myself. I want to be able to use my experience and have the same impact on at least one other person in my life/career. As I know how important and valuable it can be to have just one person who believes in you. I am a strong believer in equality of opportunity regardless of background and diversity and I cannot wait to implement that in my work.

  2. Popeye February 1, 2016 at 8:27 am #

    I work with people. I do not care for the title “Social Worker” simple.

    Perhaps this is the problem with the question “Why did you train?” Why did i train – it was not to become a social worker, but the language and the skills of the degree were requirements that I needed in order to better use my self as a resource for those that need my insight, knowledge, energy etc. To me over the years you know yourself you can contribute better to your community if you are better trained. I chose social work over becoming a Priest.

    Altruism is a fallacy we all do things for something however the social work label makes it very clear that I work to a prepared script. Labelling people social workers is in my view laudable but if it helps to empower vulnerable people then i accept this lesser evil.

    My answer is simple if you took away the protected title “social worker” there would still be a need for people whom have a social conscience whatever you call them to want to be involved with their communities.