Social Work Career in India

Social work in today's world has established itself as a significant full fledged profession at par with any other profession. As the world is fast becoming increasingly materialistic, devoid of human sentiments and emotions, with people growing more and more self-centred, yet another global trend is becoming distinctly evident-the urge of the young lot who want to do something for the welfare of the society.

There is a great satisfaction in doing something for others, which cannot be equaled or compensated by any remunerative job. Even those working in full-time jobs want to do some social work in their spare time.

It may be said that it is indeed a noble gesture to indulge in working for others or lend a helping hand to those who may not be as privileged as we are. The scope of social work is very wide. There is a dire need for people who can provide help to the disadvantaged members of the society.

There are centers for rehabilitation for drug addicts, orphaned children and people with disabilities. Counseling, both educational and psychological, are required these days by a large section of the population. There are opportunities in health care, community policing, adoption, environmental protection, culture, and so on.

The social sector consists of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and institutions providing services to different sections of society. Many are engaged in research and publishing while others are active in solving problems at the grass root level.

An idealistic youngster who wants to do something for the country may, thus, be attracted to the social sector. Fortunately, it is now more than an occupation of the idle and is getting highly professionalized.

Several institutes offer degrees and diplomas in social work, after which permanent positions can be obtained in organizations. Salaries have been soaring, with generous infusion of funds from the government and foreign agencies.
 

Social Work Eligibility Criteria

Although there are no basic qualifications to get into the social sector, a Master in Social Welfare (MSW) degree, rural management or any masters' degree in social sciences will help., Degrees in environment and forestry management are also offered by various institutes. Apart from this, diplomas can be obtained in specific areas like those for the hearing impaired, physically handicapped an old age. Some organizations train volunteers themselves.

The Various courses on offer in social work, their duration and qualifications required are:

• B.S.W / B.A (SW), Duration: 3years; Eligibility: candidates who have passed the XIIth standard can apply for this course.

• M.S.W / M.A (SW), Duration: 2 years; Eligibility: candidates who have completed graduation in any subject can apply but graduates having sociology or social sciences as their subjects are preferred.

• M.Phil, Eligibility: candidates who have completed M.S.W can apply for this course

• Ph.D, Eligibility:candidates with a M.S.W or M.Phil degree can pursue a doctorate in social work.

Social Work Job Prospects

Social work is among those fields where Job opportunities differ with the kind of specialization that a social worker has chosen. As of now, a qualified social worker can work in the following domains:

• Specialists in medical aid and psychiatric social work can make a career in hospitals, clinics, counseling centers, mental hospitals, old age homes and similar institutions.

• Specialists SW professional in the specialized field of criminology can opt for a career in prisons, correction cells and similar institutions.

• Those with specialized knowledge in labor welfare segment can work as labor welfare representatives in the private and corporate sector including MNCs and HR department of various labour-centric industries.

• Job opportunities are also available with NGOs working for the development of rural health and sanitation facilities. Here, a SW professional can work as community welfare specialist.

• Getting into academics and teaching to masses about the utility of SW is another option available to professionals associated with this field.

Lastly, premier international organizations like WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF and other international organizations with similar goals targeted at developing nations, require social workers in their developmental campaigns and projects.These organizations also pay well.
 

Social Work Institutes/Universities

• The Indian Institute of Social Welfare & Business Management (IISWBM)

Management House
College Square West, Kolkata-700 073
Phone: +91-33-22413648 /3756 /5792 /8694
Fax: +91-33-2241 3975,
E-mail: iiswbm@iiswbm.edu
Website: www.iiswbm.edu

• Tata Institute of Social Sciences

Mumbai
Post box 8313, Deonar, Mumbai 400088
Telephone: 91-22-2556 3289-96
Fax: 91-22-2556 2912
E-mail: webmaster@tiss.edu
Website: http://www.tiss.edu

• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Institute of Social Sciences

Agra-Mumbai National Highway No. 3
Dongargaon, Dr. Ambedkar Nagar
Pin - 453 441, District: Indore, (M.P.)
Phone:91-7324- 272830,91-7324- 273186
Fax - 91-7324- 273645
Email: info@baniss.org
Website: www.baniss.org

• University of Delhi

University Road, Delhi 110 007
Phone South Campus: 011-24119832
Phone North Campus: 011-2766709, 27667011, 27667190
Fax: 011-27667049
Website: www.du.ac.in

• Loyola College

Phone: +91-44-28178200
Fax: +91-44-28175566
Email: helpdesk@loyolacollege.edu
Website: www.loyolacollege.edu

• University of Rajasthan

JLN Marg
Jaipur 302004, Rajasthan
Phone: 91-141-2711070
Fax: 91-141-2711799
E-mail: info@uniraj.ernet.in
Website: http://www.uniraj.ernet.in/

• Jamia Millia University

Jamia Nagar, New Delhi
Pin-10025
Tel: 26984650, 26985180
Fax:011-26981232
Email: admin@jmi.nic.in
Website: www.jmi.nic.in

• University of Mumbai

M.G. Road, Fort
Mumbai - 400 032, Maharashtra
Phone: 22 - 2652825
Fax: 22 - 2652832
Website: www.mu.ac.in

• University of Calcutta

Senate House
87 /1 College Street
Kolkata-700 073, West Bengal
Tel: 033 22410071(O) 24106741(R)
Fax: 22413222
E-mail: admin@caluniv.ac.in
Website: www.caluniv.ac.in

• Guru Nanak Dev University

Amritsar - 143 005
Punjab
Tel:2450601-14 (14 lines)
Fax: 0183-2258819, 2258820
E-mail: enquiry@gnduadmin.com
Website: www.gndu.ac