The academic discipline of sociology is the study of social
lives as well as the causes and effects of social changes. These
studies extend across all types of organizations and individuals
within those groups.
The field of social services is dedicated to providing
practical solutions for a wide range of societal concerns. While
many of these programs address the needs of low-income
communities, there are social services for every economic,
ethnic, and age demographic. Employment counseling and substance
abuse intervention are just a couple of functions of the social
services that cross these boundaries.
Individual researchers and social workers often choose a
special issue or particular group of people to focus on. The
number of specializations can be overwhelming for someone just
getting started. Here are some of the general areas that jobs
fall under:
Community Outreach
Personnel in this category serve as advocates for a local
community, providing links to housing services and legal counsel.
Some researchers focus entirely on finding grant funding for
poverty-stricken neighbors. Others act as interpreters, providing
translations and explanations of important legal notices.
Education
Elementary, middle, and high school counselors work with parents,
teachers, and students to create productive learning conditions.
They deal with a multitude of disciplinary problems, social
pressures and domestic issues at every level.
Family Services
Social workers in this field look to improve conditions for kids
and their families. They help determine custodial rights,
investigate reports of neglect and abuse, and facilitate dialogue
between parents and children.
Industrial
Social workers in this category are often found in human
resources departments of large businesses. They develop policies
to increase worker safety, increase productivity and reduce
employee turnover.
Medical
Some specialists serve as members of medical teams that assist
doctors and nurses with patients suffering from terminal
illnesses, chronic pain or debilitating injuries. Many choose to
concentrate on patients who have a specific disease, such as
cancer or AIDS.
Mental Health
Personnel in this category assist with any number of
psychological and psychiatric services, including outreach,
counseling and crisis intervention.
