Social Studies- Careers Essay

This essay will explain what key criteria, skills and qualities are needed in order to be a social worker. It will also explain what it is like in day to day life for a social worker.

To become a Social Worker there are a lot of requirements to get this job. The key criteria to be a social worker is the need to have a Bachelor of Social Work or Applied Social Work, Ngā Poutoko Whakarara Oranga - Bachelor of Bicultural Social Work, Poutuārongo Toiora Whānau, an approved two year Master's degree. You will also need a lot of personal requirements like great communicating skills, problem solving skills, decision making and many more. These are the key criteria needed in order to become a social worker.

There are many important skills and qualities in order to succeed in this industry. A number of these qualities include personal requirements like being able to keep things  confidential, the ability to communicate with kids and adults all ages  and being able to relate to them. They also need a good amount of knowledge of social work practice and theories an understanding of social and cultural issues and problems, knowledge of human behaviour, development, relationships and social systems, counselling and negotiating skills, knowledge of social policy and how it is developed and an understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi. These are some of the skills and qualities needed to be a social worker.

The day to day life of being a social worker requires a variety of activities. This will be discussed in this paragraph. On a daily basis social workers work in schools, hospitals, homes, marae, government agencies and in a community. They also  may work in stressful conditions, dealing with challenging and highly distressed clients and at times they can be found travelling locally to visit people in their homes. Social Workers support people in crisis, talk with them about their problems, and help them make decisions. They also help people with support such as benefits and accommodation advise people on their rights and opportunities. This is basically what goes on in social workers life.

In conclusion there are many key criteria, important skills and qualities required to be a social worker. Some of these include having a Bachelor of Social Work or Applied Social Work, Bachelor of Bicultural Social Work and an approved two year Master's degree.