What are the openings available for MSW graduates abroad?
Author: Vandana Post Date: 09 May 2023
In many countries abroad, a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work is sufficient to apply for a job opening in the sector, and if you have a postgraduate degree, good for you! A Master's in Social Work on your C.V. will be beneficial when looking for employment opportunities abroad. It is essential to know the local requirements for getting the title of a social worker, perhaps as an officially registered one, so I will mention some relevant points about this later.
Just as in India, where you would likely first look for job openings as a social worker with an NGO, so also abroad. In fact, community health centres, such as those set up by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Red Cross Society, would be a good place to start. I would suggest that you be a little flexible and not right away look for earnings if you otherwise are not in requirement of financial support and can manage without it. If this is the case, be willing to volunteer without pay just to get some experience, even if it is for a couple of hours a week while you are hunting for a paid job. Although your formal academic program will have provided some hours of practical training, there's nothing like literally being out there in the thick of things. A suggestion- check out opportunities for volunteers with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program which might get you a chance to volunteer as a social worker in India or in the country where you are heading to.
Don't forget to search online, check newspaper advertisements, and look out for flyers put up in stores for any get-together or a seminar in nearby localities that is related to any aspect of social work. It will help you meet and network with people in the sector and perhaps even get some fruitful advice from seniors with experience and expertise.
Keep in mind that you can't just right away take up work as a social worker, with every country having its own regulations before you can work in this sector.
A useful guide to working as a professional social worker in some countries would be checking out the websites of-
As a closing advisory, looking at the type of roles that a social worker is involved with, I think it would be a great idea to fine-tune certain skills. The obvious would be honing your communication skills and perhaps learning the local language of the country where you are heading. In addition- how about learning the basics of first aid or perhaps getting some certification in the niche area of your interest, such as in special education needs or child protection if you are keen to become a social worker with organizations that are associated with children. You'll also need bucketloads of empathy and a gentle approach, so bottle up those traits of impatience and frustration.
All the best for getting your dream job opportunity abroad with your MSW Degree!
In many countries abroad, a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work is sufficient to apply for a job opening in the sector, and if you have a postgraduate degree, good for you! A Master's in Social Work on your C.V. will be beneficial when looking for employment opportunities abroad. It is essential to know the local requirements for getting the title of a social worker, perhaps as an officially registered one, so I will mention some relevant points about this later.
MSW opportunities abroad
You can get employed in the field of social work in the role of a consultant, a coordinator, a supervisor, a case management worker, etc. Specific niche areas are those related to mental health, substance abuse, psychiatric counselling, child welfare, care for the elderly, family therapy, etc. Accordingly, put two and two together (the niche area that interests you + the role that you seek) and look for job openings with a government agency, a health centre, a hospital, an educational institute, or even set up your own practice.Just as in India, where you would likely first look for job openings as a social worker with an NGO, so also abroad. In fact, community health centres, such as those set up by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Red Cross Society, would be a good place to start. I would suggest that you be a little flexible and not right away look for earnings if you otherwise are not in requirement of financial support and can manage without it. If this is the case, be willing to volunteer without pay just to get some experience, even if it is for a couple of hours a week while you are hunting for a paid job. Although your formal academic program will have provided some hours of practical training, there's nothing like literally being out there in the thick of things. A suggestion- check out opportunities for volunteers with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program which might get you a chance to volunteer as a social worker in India or in the country where you are heading to.
Don't forget to search online, check newspaper advertisements, and look out for flyers put up in stores for any get-together or a seminar in nearby localities that is related to any aspect of social work. It will help you meet and network with people in the sector and perhaps even get some fruitful advice from seniors with experience and expertise.
Keep in mind that you can't just right away take up work as a social worker, with every country having its own regulations before you can work in this sector.
Prior requirements before becoming a social worker
You need to fulfill the requirements of the local regulatory body and know how to be officially licensed to be a social worker, and stay updated about their policies, including legislative ones. This also means that your academic credentials, whether a degree, diploma, or certificate, is recognized by whichever authority there is that functions as the governing body in the district where you will work. Hence, for example, with an MSW from an Indian University, don't happily set out to pack your bags and catch a flight! First, get all the information about the accreditation of your qualifications, the documents that you will need to register for a license, some good references with LORs (Letters of Recommendation), and so on. Find out, too, if the documents should be submitted in English and/or the language of the country where you are headed (Italian? French? Spanish?)A useful guide to working as a professional social worker in some countries would be checking out the websites of-
- For Canada: The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW)
- For Australia: The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
- For the UK (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales): The British Association of Social Workers (BASW)
- For the USA: The National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- For France: Association Nationale des Assistants de Service Social (ANAS) (the French National Association of Social Workers)
- For Germany: The German Professional Association for Social Work e.V. (DBSH)
As a closing advisory, looking at the type of roles that a social worker is involved with, I think it would be a great idea to fine-tune certain skills. The obvious would be honing your communication skills and perhaps learning the local language of the country where you are heading. In addition- how about learning the basics of first aid or perhaps getting some certification in the niche area of your interest, such as in special education needs or child protection if you are keen to become a social worker with organizations that are associated with children. You'll also need bucketloads of empathy and a gentle approach, so bottle up those traits of impatience and frustration.
All the best for getting your dream job opportunity abroad with your MSW Degree!
Author: Venkiteswaran Post Date: 05 May 2023
Social work and social workers are needed everywhere- in India and abroad. Social workers are essential for community betterment.
A large number of social work opportunities are available with international NGOs and Non-profit Organizations engaged in humanitarian services. Though the social work job is almost similar in every country, there will be vast differences and challenges at the ground level depending on the culture, tradition, demographic, and other ground realities in each country. Hence a social worker should have some awareness of the culture and social style of the country where he is going to work. The US has projected a thirteen percent growth in social work job opportunities in the next ten years.
The United Nations needs international social workers for the various tasks under it through its various departments and sub-organizations.
There is good scope and demand for social workers in Canada. They are required in Hospitals, community health centers, family services, govt public policy departments, counseling centers, etc. The salary is also very attractive in comparison to Indian standards. There are opportunities in the UK, Germany, etc. for social workers.
There is an International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) with regional/country-wise associations. Their website(ifsw.org) may be visited to get more ideas about international social work. Knowledge of a foreign language will be an added advantage for international social work opportunities.
Social work and social workers are needed everywhere- in India and abroad. Social workers are essential for community betterment.
A large number of social work opportunities are available with international NGOs and Non-profit Organizations engaged in humanitarian services. Though the social work job is almost similar in every country, there will be vast differences and challenges at the ground level depending on the culture, tradition, demographic, and other ground realities in each country. Hence a social worker should have some awareness of the culture and social style of the country where he is going to work. The US has projected a thirteen percent growth in social work job opportunities in the next ten years.
The United Nations needs international social workers for the various tasks under it through its various departments and sub-organizations.
There is good scope and demand for social workers in Canada. They are required in Hospitals, community health centers, family services, govt public policy departments, counseling centers, etc. The salary is also very attractive in comparison to Indian standards. There are opportunities in the UK, Germany, etc. for social workers.
There is an International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) with regional/country-wise associations. Their website(ifsw.org) may be visited to get more ideas about international social work. Knowledge of a foreign language will be an added advantage for international social work opportunities.
Author: Dinesh Sood Post Date: 04 May 2023
The daughter of my friend has completed her Master of Social Work and is going to study and settle in Canada. Persons having unique skill sets in social work will always be in demand in every part of the world.
There are many international organizations that require social workers I am giving herewith names of the some organizations:
Organizations related to MSW
1. Save the Children
2. International Rescue Committee
3. Council for International Education and Exchange
4. The Institute of International Education
5. The United Nations
6. The Society for Intercultural Education, Training, and Research
7. The Peace Corps
8. International Justice Mission
Career Options of MSW
1. Abuse/crises counselor
2. Clinical Social Worker
3. Child Protection Worker
4, Child and Youth Worker
5. Adoption Worker
6. Intake worker
7. Mental Health Worker
8. School-based counselor
9. Family Support Worker
10. Employment Counselor
These are some options for Master of Social Works degree holders to make a career abroad.
The daughter of my friend has completed her Master of Social Work and is going to study and settle in Canada. Persons having unique skill sets in social work will always be in demand in every part of the world.
There are many international organizations that require social workers I am giving herewith names of the some organizations:
Organizations related to MSW
1. Save the Children
2. International Rescue Committee
3. Council for International Education and Exchange
4. The Institute of International Education
5. The United Nations
6. The Society for Intercultural Education, Training, and Research
7. The Peace Corps
8. International Justice Mission
Career Options of MSW
1. Abuse/crises counselor
2. Clinical Social Worker
3. Child Protection Worker
4, Child and Youth Worker
5. Adoption Worker
6. Intake worker
7. Mental Health Worker
8. School-based counselor
9. Family Support Worker
10. Employment Counselor
These are some options for Master of Social Works degree holders to make a career abroad.
Find more Topics.