Know the kinds of counseling careers you can pursue after obtaining a social work degree.
Having a social work degree can open the way to a lot of rewarding careers, and one of these is a counseling career. Counseling deals with the treatment of people who have experienced mental trauma or are exhibiting obsessive behavior. It is usually done through psychotherapy.
Counseling is an integral aspect of psychology. Aside from doing psychotherapy, counselors also conduct researches in order to have a better understanding of the cases they are handling or specializing in. In fact, it is compulsory for those interested in psychotherapy to do in-depth research for a specific case and apply the results of their study to a person they are counseling, with the goal of helping him or her break free from the problem.
The work of a counselor is not to be mistaken as similar to the work of a clinical psychologist. Although both use psychotherapy, a counselor uses a broader methodology in dealing with a patient’s case. On the other hand, a clinical psychologist tends to focus more on a patient’s mental illness.
If you are enrolled or are planning to enrol in a social work degree program, you must know that there are different types of counseling careers you can pursue. You may apply in private companies or government agencies. You may also find employment in schools.
You can look for a job as a vocational counselor, an educational counselor, or a marriage and family counselor. A vocational counselor is someone who helps people find the right direction in terms of career. They help people recognize their skills and strengths so they can see which job they are most suited for.
A vocational counselor plays an important role in leading people to find confidence in the workplace and excel in their jobs. Vocational counselors deal not only with those who are looking for the right job. They also guide those who have lost their jobs and are finding it difficult to find new jobs because their confidence has suffered from previous experiences.
Holders of a social work degree can also become an educational counselor. Simply put, this person is someone who guides students on matters regarding their academic, personal, and social lives. The goal of an educational counselor is to help students overcome problems in order to perform better and have a healthy, well-rounded life.
You can also become a counselor specializing in marriage and family. Marriage and family counselors work with couples or other members of the family in order to sort out whatever problems they have. There are cases when the counselor will ask the cooperation of the entire family in order to help one member who may be facing problems like addiction and depression.
There are a lot more career paths for holders of a social work degree. Most of them, however, require you to finish a masters in social work. This is because the role needs a higher level of learning and a greater depth of understanding from the counselor.
Some jobs need not just a masters degree in social work but also a two-year experience in clinical counseling. A license is of course necessary for you to become a professional counselor. After obtaining your social work degree, get your license by passing the certifying exam.