The transformation brought by technological advancement in
the 21st century has significantly reshaped both education and employment
landscapes, including in peripheral regions like Northeast India. Amid
shrinking traditional job markets and the proliferation of diverse academic
disciplines, students face the dual challenge of awareness and decision-making.
Conventional mindsets often limit career aspirations to a narrow set of
professions—primarily civil services, medicine, and engineering. This selective
prioritisation not only marginalises alternative professions but also leads to
a form of “career tunnel vision.” Students and parents alike often postpone
serious career planning until examination results are declared, which may lead
to reactive and uninformed decisions.
In this evolving context, career awareness becomes a
critical life skill. The decision to choose a subject stream should ideally
stem from a well-informed process of self-discovery, integrating one’s
interests, aptitudes, and long-term goals with an understanding of the
opportunities and demands of various professions. One such promising yet
under-recognised career pathway is that of Social Work.
Understanding Social Work as a Profession
Social Work is both a practice-based profession and an
academic discipline dedicated to promoting social change, development,
cohesion, and the empowerment of people. According to the International
Federation of Social Workers (2014), social work is grounded in principles of
social justice, human rights, collective responsibility, and respect for
diversity. The discipline draws on theories from social sciences, humanities,
and indigenous knowledge systems to engage individuals, families, and
communities in addressing life challenges and enhancing well-being.
In India, the academic path in social work includes a
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW), and doctoral
degrees, all recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC). These
programmes offer a curriculum rich in theoretical instruction and practical
fieldwork, preparing students to engage effectively with a wide range of
societal issues.
Why Choose Social Work?
For students with a strong inclination towards
people-centred engagement and social impact, social work offers a deeply
meaningful and multifaceted career. Graduates of social work programmes may
work as counsellors, psychiatric social workers, community organisers, policy
advocates, researchers, or educators. They often address issues such as mental
health, poverty, domestic violence, child welfare, gender inequality,
disability rights, and social justice.
Social workers also contribute to shaping public policy,
conducting community-based research, and strengthening grassroots development
initiatives. Importantly, they operate within a holistic framework, considering
individuals in the context of their environmental, socio-cultural, and
structural realities.
How Do You Become a Social Worker?
The social work profession, by its very nature, can be
mentally and emotionally demanding. Social workers often manage extensive
caseloads while operating within constrained time frames and limited resources.
Consequently, individuals in this field must possess not only compassion and
empathy but also assertiveness and professional resilience when engaging with
clients. Essential competencies include cultural sensitivity, strong
interpersonal communication, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and
effective time and organisational management. Equally important is the capacity
for self-care, as social workers must be equipped to prevent professional
burnout and manage stress effectively.
In many countries, in addition to obtaining the requisite
educational qualifications—typically a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and/or
Master of Social Work (MSW)—aspiring social workers must pass standardised
licensing or certification examinations to be formally recognised as
professional social workers. These academic programmes form the foundational
preparation for professional practice across diverse organisational contexts,
including governmental, non-governmental, and private sector institutions.
In the Indian context, an individual is eligible to be
designated as a ‘Social Worker’ upon completion of either a BSW or MSW. The BSW
programme generally provides a foundational understanding of social work
without offering specialisation. Conversely, the MSW programme may be either
generalist or specialised, with students often selecting a specific area of
concentration. Specialisations in MSW programmes typically align with sectoral
or thematic areas such as Health and Mental Health (Medical and Psychiatric
Social Work), Counselling, Community Development, Family and Child Welfare,
Criminology and Criminal Justice, Governance, Social Entrepreneurship, Human
Resource Management and Labour Welfare, Non-Profit Organisation Management,
Women’s Studies, and Peace and Conflict Studies.
Moreover, MSW curricula mandate the completion of
field-based practice components, such as internships or practicums. These
experiential learning opportunities not only deepen theoretical knowledge but
also provide students with applied competencies and thematic expertise, thereby
enhancing their professional readiness and effectiveness in diverse practice
settings.
Educational Pathways and Eligibility
To pursue a professional career in social work, individuals
may begin with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at the undergraduate level,
followed by a Master of Social Work (MSW) at the postgraduate level, and may
further advance to doctoral studies (Ph.D.) upon completion of the postgraduate
degree. These academic programmes are offered by numerous universities and
institutions across India.
Admission to the BSW programmes generally requires
successful completion of the 10+2 examination from any academic stream,
although a background in the social sciences is often considered advantageous.
For entry into MSW programmes, candidates are typically expected to hold a
bachelor’s degree—preferably in social work or the social sciences; however,
applicants from other academic backgrounds are also eligible. It is important
to note that for specialised MSW programmes, particularly those focusing on
clinical or counselling practice, a foundational understanding of psychology at
the undergraduate level may be required or strongly recommended.
The basic eligibility and process of pursuing in social work
profession:
Many universities now admit students through centralised
entrance exams such as the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), applicable
at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Several Central and State
universities in Northeast India also conduct their own entrance processes.
Institutions Offering Social Work Education in Northeast
India
Notable institutions offering social work education in the
region include:
•Assam
University, Silchar – BSW, MSW, MPhil, PhD
•Assam Don
Bosco University, Guwahati – MSW, PhD
•Bosco
Institute, Jorhat – MSW
•Don Bosco
College, Itanagar – BSW
•Don Bosco
College, Maram – BSW
•Tata
Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati – BA-MA Integrated, MSW, PhD
Some of the Colleges/Universities offering Social Work
Education in India
•Tata
Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Hyderabad & Tuljapur Campuses
•Delhi
School of Social Work, University of Delhi, Delhi
•Jamia
Millia Islamia, Delhi
•College
of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan, Mumbai
•Madras
School of Social Work, Chennai
•Loyola
College, Chennai
•Mangalore
University, Mangalore
•Bangalore
University, Bangalore
•Visva-Bharati,
Shantiniketan, West Bengal
•SNDT
Women’s University, Mumbai
These institutions contribute significantly to nurturing
professional social workers equipped to address regional and national challenges.
Career Opportunities and Employment Sectors
Social work graduates find employment in diverse sectors,
including:
Field-Level Practitioners: NGOs (e.g., Pratham, North East
Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA), government schemes (e.g., National
Health Mission - NHM, National Rural Livelihood Mission - NRLM).
Funding and Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) Bodies:
Organisations such as UNICEF, World Bank, Tata Trusts, Azim Premji
Philanthropic Initiatives, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations etc.
Ecosystem Intermediaries: Consulting and capacity-building
firms (e.g., Sattva, KPMG Social Impact).
Academia and Research Think Tanks: Institutions such as
Centre for Policy Research, IDinsight.
Despite these opportunities, challenges persist. Job
dissatisfaction, low remuneration, and resource constraints have led some
social work graduates to exit the profession. However, many others have
continued to innovate, becoming entrepreneurs, policy advocates, or educators,
thereby expanding the impact of the profession.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Social Work presents a dynamic, impactful,
and intellectually stimulating career path, particularly suited to those
passionate about equity, justice, and human development. In a society grappling
with complex social challenges, the role of trained social work professionals
is more critical than ever. Therefore, educational institutions, policy-makers,
and civil society must collectively work to elevate the visibility and
viability of social work as a compelling career choice for today’s youth.
(Dominic Leo Thaikho, PhD, is an Assistant Professor and
Head of the Department, Department of Social Work, Don Bosco College, Itanagar.
He can be contacted at dominicthaikho@gmail.com)
