Or do you slow the car, feeling pity for them; do you sense their desperation? Do you realize that, “there but for the grace of God go I?”

In our highly competitive society of consumerism, of branding, of cars and houses and good jobs, most of us rank one another by a thing we call “success.” At the top are the good-looking attractive people with bright minds, great jobs, brilliant futures. They are educated and sharp. We tend to admire them, to seek their company.

At the bottom of that ranking are the mentally ill, the homeless, the addicts, the orphans, the abused, the unwanted, the rejected. We tend to avoid and even fear them.

But, are you different? Do you wish there were some way you could help? In fact, would you be willing to dedicate your life’s work to the rescue of the less fortunate? Do you feel compassion? Does your mind seek answers that would help keep others from falling through the cracks in our world?

If the answers are “Yes,” you may be one of the compassionate members of society; you may possess the altruistic intelligence necessary to become a Social Worker.

Social workers assist people by helping them cope with issues in their everyday lives, deal with their relationships, and solve personal and family problems. Some social workers help clients who face a disability or a life-threatening disease or a social problem, such as inadequate housing, unemployment, or substance abuse. Social workers also assist families that have serious domestic conflicts, sometimes involving child or spousal abuse.

The job outlook? For educated social workers, it’s very good.

Competition for jobs is expected in cities, but opportunities should be good in rural areas. Employment is projected to grow much faster than average. About 5 out of 10 jobs were in health care and social assistance industries and 3 in 10 work for State and local government agencies.

Child, family, and school social workers provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the well-being of families and the academic functioning of children. They may assist single parents, arrange adoptions, or help find foster homes for neglected, abandoned, or abused children. Some specialize in services for senior citizens. These social workers may run support groups for the children of aging parents; advise elderly people or family members about housing, transportation, long-term care, and other services; and coordinate and monitor these services. Through employee assistance programs, social workers may help people cope with job-related pressures or with personal problems that affect the quality of their work.

In schools, social workers often serve as the link between students’ families and the school, working with parents, guardians, teachers, and other school officials to ensure students reach their academic and personal potential. In addition, they address problems such as misbehavior, truancy, and teenage pregnancy and advise teachers on how to cope with difficult students. Increasingly, school social workers teach workshops to entire classes.

Child, family, and school social workers may also be known as child welfare social workers, family services social workers, child protective services social workers, occupational social workers, or gerontology social workers. They often work for individual and family services agencies, schools, or State or local governments.

Medical and public health social workers provide psychosocial support to people, families, or vulnerable populations so they can cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, or AIDS. They also advise family caregivers, counsel patients, and help plan for patients’ needs after discharge from hospitals. They may arrange for at-home services, such as meals-on-wheels or home care. Medical and public health social workers may work for hospitals, nursing and personal care facilities, individual and family services agencies, or local governments. Mental health and substance abuse social workers assess and treat individuals with mental illness or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.

A bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) is the most common minimum requirement to qualify for a job as a social worker; however, majors in psychology, sociology, and related fields may qualify for some entry-level jobs, especially in small community agencies.

A master’s degree in social work (MSW) is typically required for positions in health settings and is required for clinical work as well. Some jobs in public and private agencies also may require an advanced degree, such as a master’s degree in social services policy or administration. Supervisory, administrative, and staff training positions usually require an advanced degree. College and university teaching positions and most research appointments normally require a doctorate in social work (DSW or Ph.D.).

Bachelor’s degree programs prepare graduates for direct service positions, such as caseworker, and include courses in social work values and ethics, dealing with a culturally diverse clientele and at-risk populations, promotion of social and economic justice, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, social work practice, social research methods, and field education. Accredited programs require a minimum of 400 hours of supervised field experience.

Master’s degree programs prepare graduates for work in their chosen field of concentration and continue to develop the skills required to perform clinical assessments, manage large caseloads, take on supervisory roles, and explore new ways of drawing upon social services to meet the needs of clients. Master’s programs last 2 years and include a minimum of 900 hours of supervised field instruction or internship. A part-time program may take 4 years.

Entry into a master’s program does not require a bachelor’s degree in social work, but courses in psychology, biology, sociology, economics, political science, and social work are recommended. In addition, a second language can be very helpful. Most master’s programs offer advanced standing for those with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited social work program.

Employment for social workers is expected grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2016. Job prospects are favorable particularly for social workers who specialize in the aging population or work in rural areas. Employment of social workers is expected to increase by 22 percent during the 2006-16 decade, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Employment of child, family and school social workers is expected to grow by 19 percent, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Mental health and substance abuse social workers will grow by 30 percent, which is much faster than the average, over the 2006-16 decade. Growth of medical and public health social workers is expected to be 24 percent, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Median annual earnings of child, family, and school social workers were $37,480 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,590 and $49,060. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,480, and the top 10 percent earned more than $62,530.

Median annual earnings of medical and public health social workers were $43,040 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $34,110 and $53,740. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,280, and the top 10 percent earned more than $64,070.

Median annual earnings of mental health and substance abuse social workers were $35,410 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $27,940 and $45,720. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,490, and the top 10 percent earned more than $57,630.

So, you are compassionate and intelligent.

The need is huge. The field is growing. What are you waiting for?

Where do you begin? There are many colleges and universities offering the programs you need to become a qualified Social Worker. Go get the knowledge base that you need, so that the skill sets for helping others will be yours.

As of 2006, the Council on Social Work Education accredited 458 bachelor’s programs and 181 master’s programs. The Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education listed 74 doctoral programs in social work (DSW or Ph. D.) in the United States.

If you want to be a life-line to others, set your life on fast-forward— educate and empower yourself to help others— as a Social Worker!