With the Trump administration’s recent decision to remove social work’s status as a professional degree, I feel compelled to speak up about why I chose to major in social work in the first place.
When I share with people that I chose social work as a career path, I often receive mixed reactions. A lot of my family members do not understand my decision and offer me unsolicited life advice about how I should change my major. Attending a school that is known for its competitive STEM programs, I even feel judged or overlooked by my own peers. However, working with others to reach their goals and create a more equitable community has always been a passion of mine. As cheesy as it sounds, this is what I feel like I have been called to do.
When I started college, I chose psychology as my major. I felt certain about my passion for advocating for mental health, but I assumed the only avenue to become a therapist or counselor was through studying psychology. I found myself feeling bored in my psychology classes, and I lacked the time or interest to continue.
While I maintained my interest in mental health, I was an active member in government-related extracurriculars in high school, so I knew I also had an interest in policy-related programs. I went to Girls State, a government-centered camp aimed at educating young women in Tennessee about civic engagement, and was extremely involved in Youth and Government, which is basically a mock government conference. In addition, classes like AP U.S. Government and AP Comparative Government were some of my favorite courses. I had a keen interest in learning about different systems and policies, and I was not able to touch on that in many of the courses for my psychology major. When I learned more about the social work program at SLU, things just clicked.
Social work is a holistic profession that encompasses all facets of the human condition. These are some of the many reasons I chose my major:
Emphasis on Social Justice
I love the emphasis that the social work profession places on social justice. Social workers are advocates, and they fight against systems of oppression to make a more equitable and just society. A lot of macro-level social workers, meaning social workers who work to create systemic changes, actively engage in policy reform, advocacy work and conducting research on political issues. These types of social workers focus on client systems and how they interact with large-scale systems. Other types of social workers, such as micro-level and mezzo-level social workers, should also be informed of social justice issues so they can better serve their clients.
Commitment to Service
Volunteering and engaging in service opportunities is another passion of mine. Being an active member of my community and serving others is something I continually strive to do. Social work is an extremely service-based profession. All types of social work serve others in some way. Whether it is through policy, research, counseling or non-profit management, all of these different professional avenues seek to help others.
Social work provides me with a plethora of opportunities to explore how to assist different populations. During my studies, I have found that I feel called to help those who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. A unique facet of social work is that each social worker can find their own individual specialization or niche. It allows individuals to discover their talents and use them to serve others.
Empowerment for Others
Lastly, I love how social work encourages individuals to be empowered and make their own choices. Social work emphasizes autonomy and independence. We want our clients to reach their goals, but we also want to equip them with the tools they need to reach these goals independently. Therefore, most social workers engage with clients with the end goal of “termination.” While this word sounds very daunting, it is actually incredibly effective because it reminds the client that the goal is independence and self-sufficiency. I resonate with this approach because it allows vulnerable individuals to develop skills and learn how to address their problems and meet their goals without the help of a professional.
Overall, social work is a vital profession. You can find social workers in hospitals, schools, mental health clinics, crisis centers, non-profits and anywhere that looks to better people’s lives. Negating social work as a profession neglects to recognize the unique issues present in our society and the individualized needs of people seeking help.