Social Workers and Business, Essay Example

The profession of social work is not limited to just helping society. Earning a degree in social work affords individuals versatility for various skills including running a thriving business. “A social work education provides a theoretical framework and a set of real-world skills that gives social workers the flexibility to work in a wide range of settings with confidence and proficiency” (Stoesen, 2008). The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) conducts studies and benchmarks organizations to track the progress of social workers and their areas of expertise in the various disciplines.

Becoming a social worker does not mean the individual is limited to working for an organization. Many have started businesses on their own; furthering their knowledge through taking additional business and management college classes. A study by the NASW in 2004 showed that among active licensed social workers about 17 percent work in private practice and 80 percent of those are working in the mental health field (Stoesen, 2008).

Opening a business is always risky and there are no guarantees. The positive side of this is the flexibility to run the business in the way the owner wishes. The negative side includes the financial investment and risk management issues. Of course building the clientele is always the foundation for a success beginning. One social worker who entered a joint venture with other social workers describes what it was like to not have any clients in the beginning. She states “we had to go and convince people that they should pay for us” (Stoesen, 2008).

Taking the risk to open a practice requires patience, persistence and the ability to make changes as they are needed. Some social workers are very professionally satisfied working in an existing agency or hospital, but for some the advantages of running their own business outweigh the risks involved (Stoesen, 2008). I believe that for the individuals who possess the characteristics to run their own business are better suited to take the risks.  These individuals are never satisfied with employment and can better serve the community by following their instincts and desires for running their own practice. It depends fundamentally on the personality and characteristics of the individual. Some people are meant to be their own boss and some are meant to work under formal organizations.

References

Stoesen, L. (2008). Social workers have a head for business. National Association of Social Workers, 53(2). doi:http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/news/2008/02/business.asp