A career in Social Service is considered a noble profession since it requires empathy, relationship management, and a deep understanding of the human condition and behaviour along with fields such as law, mathematics, and languages.
It is an all-encompassing career, that needs lots of skills and vast knowledge of all subjects.
A social worker cultivates relationships with people in need and assists them in their personal, economical, social problems to help them live a good life.
The professional works with clients that have been shunned from society are in crisis such as unemployment, injustice, are homeless, or are suffering from a serious illness or abuse of any kind.
A part of their job is to counsel the grieved parties, and their families through personal sessions and workshops to help the affected get past their traumas.
People who are selflessly passionate about others’ lives, and problems and have a desire to help them get on the right path, are the perfect candidates for a career in social service.
Do you feel you’re the right person for a career in social service?
Here’s a List of the 10 Best Degrees to Pursue a Career in Social Service
1. Bachelor/ Masters of Social Work (BSW)
The BSW/MSW is the best degree to pursue a career in social service since it builds a knowledge-based foundation for the students, of the field. The students are taught to practice tolerance, cultivate great communication skills along with awareness and critical thinking.
The course over the 3 years gives the students a deep understanding of various topics such as psychology, science, and technology, women empowerment, etc.
The best institutes to study social work in India are Jamia Millia University (Delhi), Madras Christian College (Chennai), and Stella Maris College (Chennai).
2. Bachelor of Arts in Any Language
Knowledge of language helps you understand the diverse cultures of your clients, and builds their trust in you. Studying regional languages opens your doors to many unventured parts of the country as a social worker, whereas studying foreign languages aids you to pursue a career in international social service.
In the end, studying a language for your graduation can rocket your career in social service, and make it satisfying.
A degree in Spanish, Italian, Russian are popular choices for aspiring international social workers.
3. Bachelors in Sociology
A career in social service can also be pursued if you have a degree in Sociology. Sociology equips you with the different theories of how people interact, and relate to their environments, under diverse circumstances. The subject also teaches you how to understand new cultures and the behaviours of society. This knowledge can be put to good use in social service as well.
Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University (Delhi), and Banaras Hindu University (Varanasi) are the best universities to go to for a degree in Sociology.
4. Bachelors in Psychology
A degree in Psychology helps social workers in promoting mental health, emotional development, and a positive frame of mind for their client’s well-being.
The subject gives them a deeper understanding of their cultural background to analyze their behavior, and provide solutions to their circumstances accordingly.
The course includes human development, health, personality, and social behaviour along with an understanding of human nature.
5. Bachelors in Mathematics
Maths is a needed skill in the field of social work. It is used to evaluate progress, research and to formulate theories, and analyze them out of a cross-section.
Although a social worker is not required to have a degree in mathematics, to pursue a career in social service, having good knowledge of the subject always comes in handy.
Also, a degree in maths makes social work one of the reliable career options for commerce students.
Recommended Read: Underrated Career Options for Commerce Students
6. Bachelors in Liberal Arts
A degree in Liberal Arts pushes its students to have general professional skills and leads them towards a rewarding career in social service.
Liberal arts education in India includes an in-depth study of history, literature, philosophy, sociology, psychology, and more. The subject equips students with a peripheral knowledge of the social sciences, giving them an understanding of human behavior, society while enhancing their thinking skills, thus making a career in social service a great choice.
Recommended Read: The Reign of Liberal Arts Education in India
7. Masters in Women Studies
Many graduates, postgraduates in women studies choose to have a career in social service because the subject enhances their critical thinking, research, presentation, and problem-solving skills that are essential for the field.
Women Studies also gives them an insight into advocacy and human rights, which is another branch of social services.
8. Masters of Public Health
Public Health workers in the field of social services provide help and guidance to the people battling health issues, resulting in social consequences. Teen pregnancy, disability, organ transplant, and mental health issues are some of the areas that they deal with.
A degree in Public Health is considered as good as a degree in Social work since the fields are intertwined. Students interested in public health often pursue a career in social service because both fields require thinking individuals with similar skills.
9. Masters in Human Development
Studying Human development helps social workers in spotting issues of their clients very efficiently. With a degree in Human Development, you gain an understanding of diverse individuals and families that helps in strengthening the basis of your social work practice. The know-how on human development helps the professionals deal with people who are fighting difficult challenges in their lives.
10. Doctorate or Ph.D. in Social Work
A Ph.D. in social work can skyrocket your career in social service because the degree provides you with advanced training in research as well as understanding various policies that can benefit your clients. To become a licensed and widely acclaimed social worker, an advanced degree in the field is highly recommended as it increased your stature as a professional.
Conclusion
Do you want to pursue a career in social service, but have a degree in any of the above fields? Don’t worry, you can always opt for a Masters’s in Social Work after your graduation.
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