Jobs In Social Work

10 Best International Social Work Job Opportunities

International social work is a vast profession with growing demand to address injustices faced across the globe, especially third-world countries. The World Bank reports that 12.7 percent (896 million) of Earth’s population lives at or below $1.90 per day. Poverty, disease, war, natural disaster, trafficking, and forced labor are just a few of the problems international social workers strive to eradicate. They work mostly for non-government organizations (NGOs) to coordinate human service projects across borders. It’s their mission to alleviate suffering for the world’s most vulnerable and oppressed civilians. Working domestically to resolve societal problems in the United States isn’t the only option for Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work graduates. If you’re interested in applying your education and skills outside the U.S., here are 10 Best International Social Work Job Opportunities:

1. United Nations

Established in 1945, the United Nations is one of the foremost social work organizations striving to maintain international peace and human rights across 193 member countries. In 2001, the United Nations received the Nobel Peace Prize for their public service. The UN’s global workforce consists of over 41,000 altruistic staff at field offices from Baghdad and Nairobi to Port-au-Prince. Worldwide job opportunities are listed for social workers on political, humanitarian, emergency relief, or peacekeeping missions. Entry-level (P1-P3) positions have base salaries from $37,000 to $80,000. Post adjustments of 65.7 percent are added to cover abroad living costs. The UN looks for proactive, impartial candidates with respect for diversity and language fluency.

Learn more about the United Nation’s International Social Work Job Opportunities here.

2. International Rescue Committee

In over 40 nations, the International Rescue Committee provides lifesaving assistance to refugees forced to flee from war, natural disaster, or other humanitarian crises. Since 1933, IRC’s passionate post-conflict network has grown to 8,000+ staff. Currently, there are 320 job openings, such as protection coordinator, refugee youth advocate, resettlement manager, and emergency health officer. IRC hires candidates with a bachelor’s degree in social work or similar fields and at least two years of human service experience. Bilingual ability in local languages like Swahili or Urdu is preferred. According to PayScale, the International Rescue Committee’s average salary range is $35,422 to $71,778. Benefits typically include flights, relocation shipping allowances, and temporary housing.

Learn more about the International Rescue Committee’s International Social Work Job Opportunities here.

3. Save the Children

Rated four stars on Charity Navigator, Save the Children is an international NGO working in 120 nations to protect the welfare of over 55 million youth annually. Recent missions have included delivering hygiene kits to Ebola-stricken Liberia and repairing classrooms destroyed in Typhoon Haiyan. Founded in 1919 by Eglantyne Jebb, Save the Children is located in London, England, with job opportunities worldwide. Social workers could work full-time as child protection managers, migration advisers, nutrition advocates, and more. CVs must include a bachelor’s degree in social work or human services with a minimum of five years of experience. Base salaries from $30,691 to $62,751 are average with full benefits.

Learn more about Save the Children’s International Social Work Job Opportunities here.

4. World Health Organization

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Health Organization is a specialized UN agency aiming to help global citizens attain the highest possible level of health. The WHO’s diverse workforce includes over 8,500 professionals working in 147 countries. Job vacancies in clinical social work, mental health, disability rehabilitation, and emergency relief are prevalent. Only smoke-free candidates aged 20 to 62 are considered for WHO positions. Entry-level (P1) jobs require a bachelor’s or equivalent work experience. Advancement to P4 or higher will mandate a master’s degree in social work or public health. Base salaries can range from $31,000 to $90,000 based on service level. There’s also an Internship Programme for college juniors and seniors.

Learn more about the World Health Organization’s International Social Work Job Opportunities here.

5. International Justice Mission

Endowed for $47.1 million, the International Justice Mission is a non-profit human rights organization employing over 600 full-time staff at 18 field offices from Guatemala to Rwanda. The IJM combats global issues like sex trafficking, slavery, and assault. In 2010, the U.S. News and World Report named IJM among the top 10 world-changing service groups. Grounded in Christianity, the International Justice Mission requires submitting a statement of faith. Most 10 to 12-month deployments overseas will mandate holding a master’s degree in social work or counseling and experience with trauma victims. Along with healthcare and a 403B, IJM workers report an average salary of $56,480.

Learn more about the International Justice Mission’s International Social Work Job Opportunities here.

6. Danish Refugee Council

Since the Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council has been a well-known non-profit, aid organization working in conflict zones across 30 countries. Currently, the DRC is providing emergency relief to over 500,000 refugees from Syria every month! From its headquarters in Copenhagen, the DRC organizes housing, food, social rehabilitation, and healthcare missions to internationally displaced peoples. Humanitarian jobs are abundant, especially in the Middle East and North Africa. Interested applicants should have a Bachelor of Social Work or similar degree and 2+ years of experience. Entry-level officers earn a monthly base salary of 7,500 DKK, but management positions garner up to 27,500 DKK.

Learn more about the Danish Refugee Council’s Interntional Social Work Opportunities here.

7. Women for Women International

As the 2006 Conrad Hilton Humanitarian Award winner, Women for Women International is an NGO founded by Zainab Salbi to support female survivors after war’s devastation. Regularly featured on CNN, WfWI is headquartered in New York City with eight field offices from Nigeria and Afghanistan to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since 1993, WfWI has provided social work services to empower the Middle East’s marginalized women. Women for Women International employs advocacy coordinators and change agents who hold a bachelor’s degree in social sciences. Preference is given to applicants with five years of experience and local language fluency. Team members receive exceptional benefits packages with yearly salaries from $49K to $75K.

Learn more about Women for Women’s International Social Work Opportunities here.

8. Oxfam International Secretariat

Led by Director Winnie Byanyima, Oxfam International Secretariat is a global confederation of 18 NGOs working across 94 countries to end injustices that cause poverty. Supporting people impacted by conflict to grow food and earn a living has been their duty since 1995. Oxfam affiliates can find job opportunities in Jordan, Hong Kong, Belgium, Ethiopia, and more. Social worker positions will require holding a bachelor’s degree with one to two years of experience and fluency in host languages like Arabic. More advanced positions like development officer and regional director may require 10+ years in social work. In general, Oxfam pays salaries from $42,000 to $81,224 with paid holidays, insurance, and pensions.

Learn more about Oxfam International Secretariat’s International Social Work Opportunities here.

9. HelpAge International

Geriatric social workers should consider joining HelpAge International, an NGO with 200+ partners serving older adults in over 70 global nations. Since 1983, HelpAge has coordinated community projects to address issues affecting the elderly, including discrimination, health, poverty, HIV/AIDS, and natural disaster. Dedicated staff runs nine regional centers with sponsors like AARP, USAID, and Pfizer. Job vacancies are posted frequently for professionals with at least five years of humanitarian experience. Bachelor’s degrees in social work, nutrition, public health, and nursing are preferred. Current listings provide an average annum salary of £34,031 ($44,070). Opportunities are growing because more than one in five world citizens will be 60+ by 2050.

Learn more about HelpAge’s International Social Work Opoortunities here.

10. Food for the Hungry International

Founded by Dr. Larry Ward in 1971, Food for the Hungry International is a Christian relief organization based in Phoenix, Arizona, to combat hunger in over 25 countries. In 2005, FH received a $8.3 million grant from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. With over 2,000 staff members, FH provides Christ-centered missions that empower vulnerable communities to overcome poverty. Social workers can find employment and church mission opportunities in the world’s most devastated countries, including Bangladesh, Haiti, Peru, and Mozambique. Salaried jobs generally require a master’s degree in sociology, social work, or international relations. Three years of previous experience is suggested. Salaries range from $33,374 to $60,493 each year.

Learn more about Food For the Hungry’s International Social Work Opportunities here.

These 10 top-notch organizations represent just a smidgen of the service groups making efforts to fight social injustices abroad. For more international social work job opportunities, we suggest visiting the International Federation of Social Workers (IFWS) website.

Private Social Work Jobs

Are there any private social work jobs?

When choosing which career field to go into, people should always take in to account what jobs will be available in their field of choice upon graduation. Starting the down the path towards a career in private social work is no different. Private social workers are individuals who provide psychological counseling, guidance, and other types of assistance to disadvantaged people. The key is the fact that their work is all in efforts to advance social conditions in their communities.

It is important for those with a degree in social work to determine whether they would like to work for a private for-profit organization or a private non-profit organization. Though social workers in either organization perform the same services, the organizations are very different. Non-profit social work relies heavily on donations and charity. They may even have religious affiliation. Private for-profit social work focuses mainly on people who have insurance coverage, or who can afford to pay for the services.

Schooling

In general a bachelor’s degree in social work is required for entry level positions in the field. However, if you did not want to commit to social work early in your degree, choosing instead to major in psychology or sociology, you may also have an easy time finding an entry level position.

In addition to schooling, most states will require you to become licensed, obtain a certificate, or be a registered social worker.

The schooling requirement is the same for non-profit social work as it is for those who want to work at a for-profit organization.

Salary

Social workers can expect a median wage of $53,000 dollars per year, with those in the bottom percent earning around $27,000 dollars per year or less. The top earners, though few in numbers, can bring in close $100,000 dollars per year or more. You may be interested to know that the bottom percent consists mostly of non-profit workers.

You will generally earn more money as a for-profit private social work employee than a non-profit private social work employee. This is in part due to the fact that as mentioned earlier, private for-profit social work often focuses on those who have insurance coverage, or who can afford to pay for the services. Since non-profit organizations choose to rely on fundraising and donations to run effectively, there is less stability when the economy takes a hit and they receive less donations. When the money runs low in a private non-profit organization, workers are more likely to get laid off. Therefore you may want to go with private for-profit for higher pay and more stability.

Job Prospects

There are horror stories surfacing everyday about college students graduating and unable to find work in their chosen field. Is social work one of the degrees to stay away from?

The answer is no. There are plenty of private social work jobs to choose from. It just depends on your area of interest. Below is a list of private social work jobs to keep an eye on, as the prospect for job growth is very high:

Substance Abuse Therapist

These social workers work with people who are addicted to alcohol, drugs, and many other addictive substances. This area of social work is expected to grow quickly as more people turn to alcohol and drugs to deal with their problems.

Clinical Social Worker

Social workers in a health care setting provide a range of different services. The hospital is a stressful place. There are social workers on site to deal with abandoned babies, suspected child abuse, and patients and their families dealing with the stress of terminally-ill loved ones. Clinical social workers specializing in dealing with senior adults will be in high demand in the upcoming years. People are living longer everyday, and their needs are unique.

Adoption Social Worker

Workers who assist families with the adoption process is also expected to grow very fast. It is a growing trend for couples to marry later in their years when fertility can become more of an issue. Also, states who have already legalized same sex marriage will have more demand for social workers specializing in adoption.

As for the question as to whether there are any private social work jobs, the career field as a whole is expected to grow tremendously in the upcoming years. The only question you should really be asking yourself is whether or not you would prefer to work for-profit or non-profit.

For more information on social work visit the following links:
National Association of Social Workers
Workforce
Houston Chronicles

Understanding the Role of Child Protective Services

In the United States, Child Protective Services is a governmental agency run on the state level that was created to respond to reports of child abuse and neglect. Each state has its own CPS practice, where CPS workers respond to the over 2.5 million reports of child maltreatment in the country each year. Here are some frequently asked questions to better understand CPS and its workers.

What is Child Protective Services?

Child Protective Services (CPS) promotes the safety and well-being of children through intervention in reported child abuse cases. The goal of CPS is to keep children in their homes when it is deemed safe, and to provide them with a safe environment when they are determined to be at risk.

What are the Roles of CPS Workers?

CPS workers have a wide range of roles that they must play on a day-to-day basis. Firstly, they must do a lot of desk work, receiving and evaluating reports of child abuse cases, most of which are made over the phone. They then must use reasoning and investigative skills to determine if the child is at risk. If so, then CPS workers counsel and rehabilitate the child and family. They often provide support for each family for up to one year. If a child cannot be put back into their home, then workers also must coordinate an adoptive home, foster parents, or refer the child and their family to other support services.

What do CPS Workers Do?

CPS workers follow a standard protocol when responding to a child abuse report. First, they must assess the safety of the child. If the child’s immediate safety is not at risk, then the worker will work with the family to reduce the risk of future maltreatment and help the child cope with the effects of previous maltreatment.

If the child’s environment is deemed a risk to their well-being, then the CPS worker will intervene to protect the child from harm. The child typically goes to a foster home as counseling begins. While the goal of the CPS worker is to be able to reunite the child with their family after intensive counseling, they also begin to develop a concurrent plan. This means seeking out a safe adoptive home for the child.

How do CPS Workers Keep Children Safe?

CPS workers are very educated on seeing the signs of child abuse and neglect, and they know how to respond to every unique situation. So when a child is deemed to be at immediate risk of abuse, the CPS worker will take the child from their home and place them with a foster family. Workers then begin counseling the family, in hopes of reuniting the child and parents. However, when the family is uncooperative or does not seem to make progress, CPS will coordinate a new home for the child.

What Guiding Principles Do CPS Workers Follow?

CPS has several basic philosophical tenets that their workers follow. These are as follows: The best place for a child to grow up is in a safe and permanent home. When adequately supported, most parents can be good parents. Families requiring assistance from CPS agencies are diverse. CPS agencies are accountable for child safety and family well-being. CPS efforts are most effective when clients are involved in the process. When parents cannot take care of and protect their children, CPS must intervene on the child’s behalf. When a child must be placed in out-of-home care, CPS will work to find a safe and permanent home as quickly as possible.

What is the Most Important Aspect of a CPS Worker’s Job?

The most important duty of a CPS worker is to ensure the safety of children. Since the agency believes that the best place for a child to grow up is in a safe and permanent home, they first work to counsel the child’s birth family. When this is not possible, however, then they must find an adoptive family that will provide a safe and permanent home.

Child Protective Services is a very important agency that focuses on protecting the safety and well-being of children and youth throughout the country. Since workers must provide support to both children and their families, they are often required to have a background in counseling or psychology. They also must complete two year of clinical training. The job of a CPS worker can be stressful with high risk of “burn out” but many find rewarding careers in the field.

What Can I Do With A Bachelor’s In Social Work?

Social work is a profession dedicated to helping people meet their needs and improve their lives. Social workers help people from diverse backgrounds by focusing on the people’s strengths and helping them overcome their weaknesses. They work with all types of people, including children, people with substance abuse issues, families, the elderly and more. Social workers create community resources and help people find the resources they need to succeed in their everyday lives. Social work offers a diverse selection of job opportunities. Social workers work will people of all ages, from young children to the elderly and everyone in between. Social workers work for both public and private companies as well as both large and small companies. Social workers work directly with the people who need their help and with their colleagues to improve the social work system and methods in this country. Social workers generally fall into one of four categories: child and family social workers, school social workers, healthcare social workers, and mental health and substance abuse social workers.

People with a social work degrees and diverse educational backgrounds may work in a number of fields. Most who complete bachelor level studies, like any of the online programs available here, and gain work experience often advance to entry level positions as social workers, adoption counselors, mental health counselors or substance abuse counselors. They may work with children through youth services jobs or the elderly as hospice workers. Social workers work as case managers, helping children and adults find the services they need. A master’s degree is usually required before people can go into private practice. It is entirely possible, however, to work in a fulfilling social work position for several years before going on to obtain a master’s degree later on, if at all. Those with graduate degrees and/or those who acquire on the job experiences required for advancement often go on to work as therapists for children, adults and families or within administrative positions to help keep community services running. Some may gain employment within the justice system and the health system or in schools, hospitals and at research centers, both helping people succeed and thinking of new ways to help people find the resources they need.

Daily Responsibilities of Social Workers

The daily responsibilities of a social worker vary greatly depending on the exact job title of the social worker. Children and family social workers may find foster home placements for children who have been abused or neglected. They may help equip parents with skills to become better parents. They may help children with behavior problems such as acting out in class or social problems such as bullying. They help families receive resources they need such as day care, food stamps or job training.

Social workers in the medical field may help families cope with injuries and long-term illnesses and diseases. They help connect people to resources such as nutrition classes or hospice care. They help people understand their medical conditions and adjust their lifestyles accordingly. They help the elderly find appropriate assisted living centers and nursing homes. They help people access the medical care that they need, both by helping them fill out the paperwork to receive Medicare and by helping them find ways to get to their doctor’s appointments if they do not drive. Social workers in the medical field also help healthcare workers understand how disease and illness affect people’s mental and emotional wellbeing. They also work with doctors and other healthcare professionals to develop diagnoses and treatment plans for clients. They are frequently called in by doctors and other healthcare professionals for consultations on the health and wellbeing of clients.

Social workers in the mental health field help people will mental illnesses by diagnosing and treating their conditions. They connect them to other community resources that can help them overcome their illnesses, such as treatment centers and other social workers. They help people with substance abuse issues such as alcoholism and drug abuse. They provide therapy for or connect people to other resources who can provide therapy for those who are struggling with issues such as anxiety, depression or anger management problems.

Salary Ranges For Social Workers With Bachelor’s Degrees

Earnings for most graduates with bachelor’s degrees who advance to entry level positions as social workers depends greatly upon the field of employment. Most earn $42,480 annually with higher earnings around $47,230 for healthcare social workers and lesser earnings – approximately $38,600 to $40,210 annually – for mental health and substance abuse social works and child, family and school social workers respectively. Many experienced social workers earn as much as $51,500 annually.

What Jobs Can I Do With My Master’s Degree in Social Work?

Social work is one of the most rewarding professions which enables you to truly make a difference in the lives of others and help those in need. Securing a career in this field requires a college degree and a Master of Science in Social Work opens opportunities to secure a variety of careers. Additionally, this degree shows that you have the knowledge and skills to become a prominent member of the field.

The following are the most popular and gratifying social work employment opportunities for graduates who achieve a MSW degree:

Medical Social Worker

Medical social workers are responsible for providing support to patients with chronic or terminal illnesses, as well as their families. They work directly with patients to ensure that they are receiving proper care, assist with decision making, and facilitate communication with their medical providers. Medical social workers are strong advocates for patient rights and an incredible source of comfort during an extremely difficult time in their clients’ lives. They typically work in interdisciplinary teams with other health care professionals within hospitals, emergency rooms, nursing homes, hospices, and assisted living facilities. Social workers in the medical field are in high demand, as the number of jobs is expected to grow by 22 percent through 2018, and earn anywhere from $49,830 to $74,030 annually per recent reports at the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance abuse counselors work with individuals that are suffering from dependency on drugs, alcohol, and other substances through both individual and group psychotherapy. Since addiction is so difficult to treat, this is considered to be one of the most demanding areas of social work. However, playing such a vital role in helping addicts recover and changing their lives for the better is extremely rewarding. Substance abuse counselors are employed in rehabilitation facilities, non-profit organizations, correctional facilities, and private practices. As the legal system continues to increase the emphasis on rehabilitation, employment in this subfield is predicted to grow by 20 percent by 2018. With median average salaries beginning at $38,120 and extending to as much as $60,400 per the BLS, this career opportunity is often one of the best for MSW graduates to pursue.

Child Welfare Case Worker

Child welfare case workers provide services to children who are abused, neglected, or suffering from impoverishment and homelessness. The area of social work necessitates the worker to be extremely compassionate, strong, and have a deep passion for helping children. Many child welfare case workers work with child protective services to investigate cases of child abuse and intervene when a child is being raised in an unsafe home environment. Case workers regularly visit children and families to assess the state of the home, while also taking the necessary procedures to remove the child to another environment if he or she is in danger. Employment for child welfare case workers is expected to grow at a normal rate of 12 percent before 2018. Most child welfare case workers have lower earnings ranging from $26,710 to $40,210 though some within administrative positions have higher earnings of $42,480 to $70,390 per figures available at the BLS.

School Social Worker

Another career in school work that requires a deep love for children, school social workers are a liaison that bridge the gap between school and the child’s home life. They serve as a liaison to provide helpful resources in the community or school to aid the student with academic and personal problems. School social workers can find employment as guidance counselors, or through working directly with students with disabilities to ensure that their learning needs are being met. School social workers are also typically responsible for facilitating various school programs, including those for behavioral intervention, health education, crisis intervention, and sexual education. According to the BLS, school social workers have the potential to earn as much as $40,210 to $52,000 annually.

Clinical Mental Health Social Worker

Clinical mental health social workers provide patients psychotherapy and counseling services for the treatment of mental disorders and illnesses. Social workers in a clinical setting are responsible for assessing a patient’s mental health, diagnose the presence of disorder, develop effective plans for treatment, and assist with the achieve of goals for progress. In addition to advanced education for a master’s degree, this employment position requires special licensing or certification as a LCSW in most states. Clinical social workers can be hired in a wide range of environments, including mental health centers, mental hospitals, general hospitals, schools, and private practices. Earnings for clinical mental health social workers generally range from $38,610 to $60,280 per year.

Although a Masters of Social Work degree only takes two years to complete full-time, graduates are often amazed at the large variety of employment opportunities. In addition to the mentioned popular careers, graduates can also become nursing home directors, hospice workers, psychiatric crisis screeners, professors at universities, and prison social workers. While the careers are not well-known for being the highest paying, they are some of the most rewarding professions where workers can feel the tremendous impact of their hard work. Of all the degrees available in graduate programs, a social work degree offers some of the most diverse set of job opportunities in the most meaningful areas.

International Social Work Careers – An Overview

Social work has always been a way to improve the quality of life and well-being of people, but what if that community takes you far away from home? International social workers move all over the world to protect against social injustices, violations of civil liberties, human rights violations, crisis intervention and problems from poverty. This field is also one of the most complex as it combines several disciplines such as sociology, law, medicine, philosophy, anthropology, psychology, politics and economics. When you work as an international social worker, there are even more issues that you face going to different parts of the world and working within several cultures. That’s why resourcefulness, humility, communication, and tenacity are very important qualities to anyone who wants to work in international social work. This guide goes over the basics of international social work, how to get a job in this field and overcoming some of the challenges that these humanitarians face.

What is International Social Work

Social work as a context is actually a very broad term. Domestic social work will often take you down several avenues, whether you are working with children, homeless, adults, families or handicapped. The goal is still the same. Social workers want to improve the quality of life for individuals, communities, groups, minorities or the impoverished. The difference is in the way that you go about it. For instance, you can’t replace a way of doing something as better. Instead it must be equal, and you must contribute as a gentle mentor and innovator. International social workers take what they learn from domestic social work and combine it with foreign studies and language to offer their services abroad. While language is a major part of being able to work internationally, social workers have to learn a lot about the culture and understand the complex issues that people face every day.

Attributes of International Social Workers

Most international social workers have to do extensive research about where they want to work. They are resourceful people with a knack for understanding people of different cultures and beliefs. This ultimately takes a lot of humility and determination especially when you are coming into a community that may not appreciate your presence. Being personable, generous and possessing a genuine willingness to learn are key in making connections with people. Most international social workers start out as domestic social workers who work for five years in a community, then they branch out into international social work. These people also have lived with different cultures and classes. Community organization, fundraising and grant writing are also extremely important skills to helping grassroots organizations in other countries.

Job Environment for International Social Workers

The market for international social work is very competitive. When you work on a global scale, you compete with people from all over the globe for one position, which is why it’s important that you understand the necessary experience, skills, resources and cultures involved in a position before applying. Prospective employers want to hire the best person for the job, and they will look at previous experience, cultural knowledge and innovative projects. When you work as a social worker, you must be prepared to handle anything. You may live in another class or spend time living with villagers in a remote part of the world. That’s why it is so essential to be humble and resourceful because as much as a community needs you, you also need them. You’ll need plenty of skills to become an international social worker. You never know where you may have to travel or what you may have to do in order to help a community.

Many international social workers start out as volunteers because it gives you more of a chance to learn skills and gain cultural experience for a larger, paid role in the future. Currently paid international humanitarian positions are limited because unemployment is very high in other countries. That’s why volunteers can get their foot in the door and also gain worldly experience for multiple causes.

Organizations Which Employ International Social Workers

There are a variety of international organizations. Some of these are government-related, and others are private grassroots organizations. Many times people earn positions through national embassies, which are found in capital cities. Each of these embassies should have a list of programs and organizations in their country that work with different communities. A few popular organizations exist for international social workers. These include the Council for International Education and Exchange (CIEE), International Rescue Committee (IRC), International Justice Mission (IJM), Save the Children, the Institute for International Education (IIE) and the International Society for the Intercultural Training and Research. The United Nations also has a lot of resources for those who want to get into international social work. They list all of their openings online at the United Nations Careers network. In addition, a variety of colleges and other institutions have programs that get you started in international social work quite early. Professors with international backgrounds or study abroad advisers can provide more literature on how to join a program to go overseas as an international social worker.

International social work is definitely for those who are inspired by other cultures and want to learn more as much as they want to help. However the road to becoming a successful international humanitarian takes a lot of time working within other cultures and getting used to the feeling of being out-of-place but not out of touch. While many jobs will test your experience and knowledge, if you have a passion to help communities get organized and provide resources, then you will be a great asset no matter where you go. Anyone considering a professional career as an international social worker must do a lot of research and consider all of the factors before making a choice to leave their home. It’s often a culture shock to enter a different world. By volunteering and working with grassroots organizations around the world, you’ll gain more comfort and ability to prepare yourself for much bigger roles down the road.