Central to the profession of social work is a belief in the dignity and worth of each person. This profession developed from society’s recognition of the human traits of self-determination and self-realization, and the practitioner’s acceptance of responsibility to contribute to creating optimal social conditions for the fulfillment of these ideals. Social work espouses the causes of the poverty stricken, alienated, and excluded segments of society, for whom the risk of adverse social conditions is greatest. In addition, many problems — such as destructive family relationships, physical or mental illness, and substance abuse — cut across socioeconomic, cultural, or geographic groupings and are integral to social work practice.
Social work is concerned with any social situation that limits an individual’s development, hampers effective functioning, or diminishes dignity and self-respect. Rapid technological and industrial developments have been accompanied by major societal changes. For many years, the continued expansion of social welfare programs has created a demand for more professionally educated social workers. Social workers must be able to provide highly skilled, direct practice services to individuals, families, and groups. They must also must be capable of advocating for more humane and just social policies and practices for their clients within organizational and community settings.
In order to implement the goals of promoting human well-being and social justice, social work practice takes a variety of forms in different organizations. Most social workers are employed by organizations such as family service agencies, children’s institutions, schools, hospitals, courts, neighborhood centers, and community planning councils. Some may eventually organize and direct large governmental programs of social welfare or provide consultation on social policy to governments at various levels, while others are in private practice. Nevertheless, it is clear that more that 95 percent of our students start their professional lives providing direct practice services in an agency setting.
If you would like more career information, here are other resources:
Denise Chiasson, MSW, LCSW,
Assistant Dean
School of Social Work
311 Huey P. Long Field House
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Phone: (800) 848-7111
Phone: (225) 578-5875
Fax: 225/578-1357
