Recently, while visiting a friend and her family, we found ourselves in a deep conversation about my work as a social worker. They had never met one before and honestly had no idea what I did. It’s something I encounter a lot—when people hear “social work,” they immediately think of Child Protective Services (CPS). While CPS does incredibly important work, that’s not my area—I work with adults, not children under 17.
As I explained the various aspects of my role, I noticed their expressions shift from curiosity to surprise, and even concern. It was both amusing and a little sad. I get it—what I do isn’t exactly light dinner conversation. No one really wants to hear about the harsh realities people face right here in our own communities. It’s easier to believe that bad things happen “somewhere else,” far from our neighborhoods. But the truth is, it could be happening right next door, and we might not even realize it.
One question that really stuck with me was, “Knowing what you know now, would you still choose to be a social worker?” Without hesitation, I answered, “Absolutely, yes.” I genuinely believe that helping people in need is my purpose. I love what I do and honestly, I can’t imagine being anything else.
My “Why”
For me, social work is all about empowerment and justice. It’s not about swooping in to fix things for people—it’s about giving them the tools, support, and resources they need to tackle challenges on their own. I love guiding people to recognize their own strength and resilience, and seeing that growth firsthand is incredibly rewarding. What drives me the most is standing up for those who can’t always advocate for themselves—being their voice when they need it most
I’m lucky to have found my path early. At 18, I took my first sociology class at Texas Tech University, and it completely changed my life. Before that, I knew I wanted to be in a helping profession, but I wasn’t sure which direction to take. I wasn’t drawn to medical work like being a doctor or nurse, but I also didn’t want to be stuck behind the scenes in administration or IT. That class introduced me to social work, where I could be hands-on and make a direct impact without performing surgery. It felt like the best of both worlds.
The Reality of Social Work
Honestly, social work isn’t for everyone. It’s not a profession you go into for the money or the recognition. It’s hard, emotional work, and good therapy requires effort and dedication. It took me six years to become licensed: four years of undergrad and two years of grad school. And even with the degrees, it takes more than education to succeed. You need compassion, assertiveness, and the confidence to advocate for others when they can’t advocate for themselves.
I wish more people understood the full scope of what social workers do. It’s not just about working directly with people in crisis. Yes, there’s the micro-level work—like counseling, CPS, or medical social work—but there’s also macro-level work. Social workers can influence policy, work with legislators, and drive systemic change at the state or national level. There’s so much more to the field than most people realize.
I love my profession. It’s not easy, but it brings me fulfillment and joy every day.
Let me know what questions you have below!
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