From Passion to Profession: Social Work in the New Era of Career Consciousness

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  Dominic Leo Thaikho, PhD

  
  
• 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.

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• 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.
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• Understanding Social Work as a Profession
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• Why Choose Social Work?
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• How Do You Become a Social Worker?
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• Educational Pathways and Eligibility
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• The basic eligibility and process of pursuing in social work profession:
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• 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.
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• Institutions Offering Social Work Education in Northeast India
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• Notable institutions offering social work education in the region include:
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• •             Assam University, Silchar – BSW, MSW, MPhil, PhD
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• •             Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati – MSW, PhD
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• •             Bosco Institute, Jorhat – MSW
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• •             Don Bosco College, Itanagar – BSW
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• •             Don Bosco College, Maram – BSW
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• •             Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati – BA-MA Integrated, MSW, PhD
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• •             Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh – BSW, MSW, PhD
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• •             NEISSR, Dimapur – MSW
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• •             Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Manipur Campus – BSW, MSW, PhD
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• •             St. Joseph University, Dimapur – BSW & MSW
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• Some of the Colleges/Universities offering Social Work Education in India
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• •             Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Hyderabad & Tuljapur Campuses
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• •             Delhi School of Social Work, University of Delhi, Delhi
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• •             Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi
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• •             College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan, Mumbai
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• •             Madras School of Social Work, Chennai
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• •             Loyola College, Chennai
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• •             Mangalore University, Mangalore
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• •             Bangalore University, Bangalore
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• •             Visva-Bharati, Shantiniketan, West Bengal
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• •             SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai
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• These institutions contribute significantly to nurturing professional social workers equipped to address regional and national challenges.
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• Career Opportunities and Employment Sectors
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• Social work graduates find employment in diverse sectors, including:
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• 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).
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• Funding and Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) Bodies: Organisations such as UNICEF, World Bank, Tata Trusts, Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations etc.
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• Ecosystem Intermediaries: Consulting and capacity-building firms (e.g., Sattva, KPMG Social Impact).
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• Academia and Research Think Tanks: Institutions such as Centre for Policy Research, IDinsight.
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• 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.
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• Conclusion
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• 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.
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• (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)