Mid career switch - social worker
 

Hi, I am interested in joining the social service sector as a social worker. Would like to ask about the following:
- I understand that qualifications are required which I currently do not have as my degree is in other fields. Is there any way to join the sector besides applying for the PCP when it opens at the end of the year?
- to those working as a social worker out there, what do you all spend most of your time in a day doing?

Thanks a lot for any helpful advice in advance.

Don't think you need much qualifications, they take mostly anyone they can get

Besides PCP which offers you a paid education and job, you can self pay for social work courses in the universities. SGUS programmes promise one that they can be social work assistants and associates upon graduation from their programmes. Not a social worker but you can chat with me at [email protected]

Get urself certified
 

You need to have a degree in social work and get urself registered with Singapore Association of Social Workers, before u can be recognized as a social worker in Singapore and earn a good salary. Social work is increasing in popularity and there's waiting list for school admission so do plan ahead and plan well.
Can start with volunteering at social service agencies to know what they do on a day to day basis
Different agencies, diferent work style and processes. Some are more centre based while some others are more active in institutioks or community-based. Depends on the target clients you would like to work with too.

I have no experience being a paid social worker, but in my own free time, I had chaired and organised year-end social projects for a non profit organisation for 5 years previously. in my marketing roles, I had leand and organised CSR projects for 6 years as well.

all I can say is, I've done social work, and if passion is not the topmost reason why you are choosing this path, then it isn't for you.

my cousin is a social worker, and she shared with me that you need to be very strong emotionally as well as your mental strength. there will be days that are very tough - I recalled her telling me there were many nights she literally camped out at a hdb play ground to wait for her juvenile delinquent to return home in order to catch her lol. are u willing to do that?

lastly, this is the pay scale:
https://www.ncss.gov.sg/docs/default...vicesector.pdf

no u need to have some form of qualifications, even at the most junior levels. if you don't have any form of social work education, then u'll probably end up doing admin for the social service sector.