Social work is a profession, as well as a vocation. Social work can challenge you and help you gain the skills and knowledge to make a difference for others. Its goal is to improve the overall functioning and well-being of all people. Yet, social workers have special concerns for the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable. Social work is both an art and science. It builds on the knowledge base and skills of social work, the social sciences, as well as the liberal arts. Social work majors have an opportunity to gain “hands-on” experience through internships (field placements) in a wide variety of settings, such as criminal justice systems, child and family services, mental health settings, or hospitals. Likewise, social work is a profession of possibilities, both in terms of career paths and in the ways that clients can be helped.
