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Not a lot of people can say that they are happy with their careers. Sure, there are some who have a career in the field of their interest or make a living doing what they love the most. These unique and lucky individuals aside, most of us usually get tired of our monotonous jobs with time and only stick around for financial security. What if that didn’t have to be the case?
Many wise people over the times have said that happiness or satisfaction comes from helping people in need. Did you know that you can make a career out of helping people, and making a difference in the world? Yes. With a degree in social work, you can earn a living while making the world a better place.
This blog explores diploma in social work courses, some of the shortest courses packing the most punch in the self-fulfillment department. Read on to find out how to have a career that’ll never stop giving.
All About Diploma in Social Work
Diploma courses in social work are ideal for students who want to study the least and spend more time on the ground, being of use to people. These courses are usually taken over the duration of 6 months to 1 year by the universities which offer these courses. The eligibility criteria for the course usually include 50% or more marks in the qualifying examination, though some institutions still take admissions on the basis of entrance tests. A diploma course in social work can either be:
- A diploma in Social Work
- Or a post-graduate diploma in Social Work
Here is a quick overview of these courses for your reference.
| Course Name | Diploma in Social Work |
| Type | Diploma, Post-Graduate Diploma |
| Duration | 1 year (usually for full-time courses) |
| Modes | Full-time, Part-time, Correspondence, Online |
| Average Course Fees | INR 23 thousand |
| Eligibility | 50% in 10+2 or graduation(for PGD) |
| Common Job Roles | Welfare Officer, Communication Officer, Junior Research Fellow, Project Coordinator, Assistant Director, Volunteer, etc. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 4.5 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | UNICEF, Red Cross, YMCA, YWCA, UNESCO, WHO, etc. |
Syllabus of Diploma in Social Work Course
The syllabi of both diploma and PG diploma in social work courses are usually the same in terms of subjects taught. Here is the syllabus of a typical PGD in social work for your reference.
- Origin and Development of Social Work
- Professional Social Work: Indian Perspectives
- Social Work and Social Development
- Basic Social Science Concepts
- Social Work Practicum and Supervision
- Social Work Research
- Field Work
- Community Development
- Human Rights
- Disaster Management
- Child Rights
- Sanitation
- Sustainable Development
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Career Opportunities in Social Work
There is plenty of opportunity for students who wish to pursue a career in social work. While the starting pay in this field is often quite low, this improves over time as more and more experience is gained. People don’t usually turn to social work to earn loads of money (though that is possible too). Instead, people choose to have a career in social work when helping others, especially those in need, bring joy and happiness to them. Let us now look in detail at the various career opportunities available to those who pursue a career in social work.
Various Fields of Work and Top Recruiters
Social Work often encompasses several industries that can benefit from it. Hence, graduates of a diploma or postgraduate diploma in social work can often find themselves working in various related fields which involve helping others. Some of these fields include the following:
- Counselling Services
- Child Welfare Services
- Community Mental Healthcare
- Social Services
- Healthcare
- Disaster Management
- CSR
The top recruiters of diploma students in social work usually include the following:
- Fellowships
- Franchises
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Schools
- Private Institutions
- Governments (State and Local)
- Colleges and Universities
- Private Practices/Firms
- Foundations and Trusts
- Hospitals
- Military
Common Job Roles and Salaries
Let us now take a look at some of the top job roles and their salaries you can expect a diploma student of social work from the best university in MP, Mansarovar Global University, to get.
| Job Profile | Role | Average Annual Salary |
| Welfare Officer | Take care of the well-being of the organization by handling the working efficiency of employees, their motivation, etc. | INR 5 Lakhs |
| Project Coordinator | Supervise, plan, and manage projects and staff under them. Ensure they meet budgets. Coordinate meetings. | INR 4.5 Lakhs |
| Human Resource Manager | Recruit, interview, and manage the welfare employees of an organization | INR 8 lakhs |
| Technical Assistant | Help with technical tasks in the field of their employment. It can be things like scheduling meetings, printing documents, performing customer service, or even tasks like checking doses, administering first-aid, etc. | INR 2.5 Lakhs |
| Social Media Copywriter | Maintain a company’s brand and reputation. They do tasks like updating social media, responding to followers, meeting marketing goals, etc. | 4.34 Lakhs |
Conclusion
From helping the elderly in hospices and old-age homes to rescuing and providing relief to victims of natural disasters, social workers do it all. Often, they work in very unfavourable conditions, travel long distances, and work long hours, not for money, but to fulfill the very act that has made us the dominant species of our planet – helping our fellows in their times of need. That said, it’s not that you’ll have to work for free as a social worker.
The best arts colleges in Bhopal are great at providing the necessary training and platform for students to pursue humanitarian careers, without having to deal with the frustration of only being able to do volunteer work for free.
FAQs
- Are there other courses in social work?
Yes. Other than diploma courses, there are also bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees in social work available in many colleges throughout the world.
- What is the main advantage of a diploma course in social work over other degree courses?
The main advantages of a diploma versus other courses in social work are the time and expense factors. Diploma courses are shorter and less expensive.
- Can I work with drug addicts with a diploma in social work?
No. Working in substance abuse with drug addicts usually requires you to have more advanced degrees than just a diploma in social work. However, if you have a post-graduate diploma, then you might be able to, after all.
- What work do social workers do in the military?
Social workers can be directly or indirectly involved with military and paramilitary forces for disaster management, first aid, counseling, and other such functions.
