Social worker jobs will require that you have exceptional compassion for other people, especially people who are oppressed or otherwise stuck in difficult life situations. You will also need to have a solid understanding of psychology and sociology topics; most social workers attend college to get a degree in social work or a related field. Social worker jobs will require that you are exceptionally organized, capable of communicating with a wide variety of people, interested in helping others improve their lives, and passionate about working to fight social injustices in your community.
If you decide to consider social worker jobs as a career path, you will need to prepare yourself by understanding human behaviors and being able to come up with treatment or behavior alteration plans for clients. Social workers can work in a variety of settings, but most will have direct contact with clients who are working through a variety of difficult issues, such as drug abuse, alcohol abuse, homelessness, probation or imprisonment, poverty, violence, and physical or mental abuse. Social worker jobs will require you to be compassionate and helpful to people, even if their own behaviors show no signs of appreciation or reciprocity.
During high school, you can develop communication skills and learn as much as possible about the social sciences. Language classes are exceptionally useful; if possible, learn a relevant second language that will help you communicate with a wider population in your area. Science courses such as health and biology will also help you gain a better understanding of some of the difficult situations you may face. When you go to college, you can major in psychology, sociology, or even social work. These subjects will prepare you for situations you will encounter on a daily basis at social worker jobs. You can get an internship during your college career to get experience in the field; this will prepare you for the work and help you establish contacts within the field that may help you find work after graduation.
You will need to be licensed as a social worker, and this licensing may need to be renewed periodically. Be sure to do some research into the specific requirements for social worker jobs in your area. If you intend to work with kids, you may need additional qualifications or certifications, and it is very likely that you will need to get fingerprinted.
