Myths Regarding Social Work Degree – While each of us may come across as a mere cog in the wheel of this magnificent world, human society is an intricate chain and each individual an integral bead. Even the most individualistic societies are interdependent for the fulfilment of their physical, mental and emotional needs. Thus, our responsibilities are not limited to the four walls of our homes but extended to include the world we inhabit — a closer consideration of the society at large and a collaborative effort towards making a difference.

Reputed universities offering social work programmes provide students with considerable exposure to various social groups, the challenges they face, and the social construct in general. They challenge students to work towards the greater good and address the issues faced by the different communities around them. Although social work degrees have gained momentum across universities, some prevalent myths around social work continue to prevent students from pursuing the subject. Here are some of these myths, busted:

4 Myths Regarding Social Work Degree

1. Myth #1: Social work affects a person mentally and emotionally.
   One of the most common myths of social work is that it causes mental and emotional fatigue because the person involved in the activity is constantly exposed to the society’s struggles. However, a social work degree helps students strike the perfect balance between being sensitive and pragmatic, helping them analyse social issues practically, address their root causes, and evaluate the possible solutions. Thus, seasoned social workers do not dwell in the problems faced by society but implement various approaches to overcome these challenges.
2. Myth #2: A degree in social work does not involve any specialisation.
   It is believed that individuals pursuing social work typically do not specialise in a subdomain of social work. The fact is that social work involves several specialties, which become individual subjects incorporated in the syllabi of these degrees. For example, De Montfort University in Leicester includes various social work topics — childcare and families, human growth and development, social work involving adults, law for social work practice, etc. — which provide exposure to the different processes and classifications in the broad field of social work. Thus, students may choose to pursue a specific career path in this field upon graduation.
3. Myth #3: Social workers are paid less.
   It is a common perception in society that social workers earn low wages. However, a social worker earns an average salary of £30,476 per year. Moreover, social workers having completed their master’s degrees and specialising in a particular subfield of social work typically earn more than those practising social work at a general level. Today, there are several lucrative careers for social workers, including the roles of international social worker, clinical social worker, coordinator in non-profit organisations, child welfare specialist and health educator. An M.A. degree in social work from a reputed university can help students secure their future in this profession and establish stable careers.
4. Myth #4: Social work cannot be a full-time career.
   Many individuals believe that social work is not a suitable full-time profession; rather, it should be relegated to a part-time activity or goodwill gesture. Although many people engage in social work as a secondary task, it is a vast field of study involving several approaches and systematic processes to resolve social issues. These aspects are included at length in the curricula of well-designed social-work courses, ensuring that students understand social work from a specialist’s perspective as opposed to perceiving it from a layman’s point of view. Several individuals have pursued social work as their full-time jobs today.

Social work allows individuals to explore the depths of their minds and hearts by providing them with the opportunity to serve their countries and the world and emerge as sensitive, caring persons. Esteemed universities across the world — including De Montfort University Leicester — offer various subjects taught by experts in the field, ensuring that your endeavour is a resounding success. And we at SecureMyScholarship are eager to facilitate your academic journey.