An old proverb says: "Progress, not perfection." Despite advances in technology and government, social problems persist - poverty, addiction, and limited usage of healthcare continue steadily to dog our civilization. It's simple to feel overwhelmed, however you needn't allow it to paralyze you. Every single day, social service workers fight the great fight. If you've ever desired to take a few of the small steps that total up to big change, a career in social services might be right for you.

Broadly speaking, social service is an umbrella term encompassing various careers. The common goal of social service work is to offer aid--legal, medical, financial, etc. - to those in need. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), community and social service occupations employed over 1.7 million by May 2007. That number included occupations ranging from probation officers and correctional treatment specialists to social workers, school counselors--even marriage and family therapists.

Growing Opportunity

One of many strongest incentives to enter a social service career may be the rapid expansion of the employment opportunity. Over the following a decade, employment in lots of social service careers is likely to increase. Social workers, as an example, should see employment increase 22 percent during between 2006 and 2016. Over the exact same period, marriage and family therapists, along with substance abuse counselors should see a leap of 30 percent in employment.

One social service career experiencing particularly rapid growth is geriatric care. Geriatric care may provide many career opportunities in the near future. According to Larry Minnix, CEO of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, next ten years, "geriatric care managers is going to be certainly one of the most important roles in the entire health services delivery system."

The information on America's rapidly expanding senior population appear to agree. By 2030, the amount of Americans avove the age of 65 is expected to attain 71 million. The Freedonia Group, an investigation firm, estimates revenue for elder care services should grow 6.6 percent annually through 2011.

Education for Social Service Careers

If you're interested in pursuing a cultural service career, education is an important first step. Most social service careers need you to have some type of postsecondary training, and many require advanced degrees and state licensure. Like, social workers typically require a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) for entry-level positions. However, if you major in psychology, sociology, or perhaps a related field, you can also lay the academic groundwork for further career development--and college degrees, in social work. Social workers in clinical and healthcare settings (five in ten, in line with the BLS) typically need master's degrees. Similarly, if you're thinking about practicing as a counselor, a master's degree is traditionally a must. Should you desire to practice in the public employ, it's also possible to need state licensure.

Whatever the job, social work could be challenging, yet rewarding. In what of Beverly Bernstein Joie, co-founder of Philadelphia-based Elder Connections (a nonprofit practice providing home help to the elderly), "This work satisfies two elements of myself: the part that likes to take care of people and the part that wants to be a businesswoman."

And that's what really counts. In the end, the most important requirement for social service Jean Charles Marchiani work is just a strong desire to help others. If you're also emotionally mature, sensitive to the issues of others, and capable of forming strong, courteous relationships, you might have what it takes--and ample reason--to make the right path in social service.