Here's how you can maximize the long-term advantages of a career change for social workers.

To maximize long-term advantages of a career change for social workers, start with self-assessment to identify strengths and interests. Set clear career goals, such as better work-life balance or higher impact. Enhance skills through additional training and certifications relevant to the new field. Stay updated with industry trends through continuing education. Network with professionals in your desired field to gain insights and opportunities. Consider transferable skills like empathy, communication, and problem-solving, and how they apply to new roles. Finally, seek mentorship and support to navigate the transition smoothly and sustainably.

Self assessment and identifying the areas of improvement are very important for continuous professional development. In our day to day work as a Social Worker, we tend to forget the necessity of updating ourselves with the latest Social work trends and norms which eventually hamper our performance while we switch to a new role/field. Hence, regular self assessment with the support of a peer group is highly recommended.

In order to change careers, it’s important to know what do you want to achieve and how that will affect your life. Any career change decision should be based on accurate assessment of one’s needs. Consider long term goals. Work-life balance Pension Work itself The list can go on but you get the idea.

Nowadays there are several online platforms that provide additional certification, workshops that provide latest updates from the field of Social Work. As Social Workers from developing countries, I emphasize that each one should develop their expertise on issues of sustainability, climate change, SDG goals, CSR norms and latest ESG reporting structure. It will help each one to be a skilled worker and will be highly valued by NGOs, Corporates.

As the article says networking is the key, and I totally agree. Social Workers from each country should join their Social Workers Networks in their respective countries. Countries like UK, there is a SWE body to register with, but in many developing countries don't have such a structured Social Work body. In that case, SWs should join any informal networks formed to support the social work practice in that particular country. LinkedIn also provides a good networking platform for us and we should take advantage of it.

Sometimes physical volunteering is not possible for Social Workers who work full time. I suggest, people should participate in various online volunteering programs to develop their expertise in a newly acquired skill. Through this platform, may I request others to contribute by providing online volunteering options from your respective countries?