Social workers play an important role in society, one that is not acknowledged enough. They are often the glue that keeps families and communities together. They help inmates become productive and functional members of society. They help substance abusers get back on track and get a fresh new start.

This is a great career path for someone who has great interpersonal skills and a profound desire to help. And it is a career that can be extremely fulfilling, although it can be demanding as well.

If you have the personality for it and really want to make a difference, this could be the perfect field for you. Here are six reasons you should consider pursuing a career in social work.

1. No two days are the same

One of the best things about being a social worker is how diverse the job can be. No matter how much you plan, change is inevitable: you will often be asked to work on different cases and readjust your priorities.

While you might need to do some office work from time to time, being a social worker is not a desk job. You might be called in the middle of the day to deal with an emergency situation. You have to make visits to schools, community centres, hospitals and homes.

Being a social worker is all about being involved with the community, and that can’t be done from behind a desk.

2. Opportunities for advancement

The field of social work is diverse with plenty of opportunities. The career allows you to advance and reach higher positions; for example, by moving into research. Other paths might lead you to open a rehabilitation centre or start a non-profit organisation.

For those who have the opportunity to study in the fields of social work and/or psychology, a range of lucrative career choices awaits you, including being a mental health therapist or clinician, clinical group worker, or private consultant.

3. It’s a challenging career

If you are ready to be challenged, social work is the job for you. While it is crucial to be empathetic towards others, it is equally important for social workers to be able to handle the emotional rollercoaster that comes with the job and not get too attached to assignments.

As such, social workers have to be able to establish a distance between them and their cases, and not let the day-to-day job invade their personal space.

4. You will discover things about yourself

Through social work, you might discover personal characteristics or strengths you never knew you had. Perhaps you have a much higher mental fortitude or emotional intelligence than you thought, or are especially good at bringing people together and defusing situations.

Make no mistake, the circumstances you will find yourself in as a social worker tend to be unique and extreme For example, you might need to intervene in suicide situations – but you might discover you have a talent for dealing with troubled and aggressive behaviour.

5. You could become a policymaker

Becoming a social worker could be your first step towards making a difference at the systemic level. Too many policymakers have absolutely no idea what it’s like in the field, and this is often reflected in their decisions.

Your unique perspective will prepare you to work on boards and even consider a career in office, whether at schools or in organisations within your community, and allow you to eventually make changes that will shape people’s lives for the better.

6. You might end up changing someone’s life

There are few things as fulfilling as seeing someone once completely broken get back on their feet. As one case worker told this writer: “You don’t get thank-you cards all the time, but occasionally, you’ll get one from somebody you helped.

“When you hear that you were able to help them get through difficulty in their lives, you won’t be able to stop smiling.”

Read more articles by Dennis Relojo-Howell here.

Dennis Relojo-Howell is the managing director of Psychreg and host of ‘The DRH Show’. Connect with him on X (Twitter) at @dennisr_howell.