It's an easy task to feel overwhelmed, but you needn't allow it paralyze you. Everyday, social service workers fight the great fight. If you've ever desired to take some of the small steps that total up to big change, a lifetime career in social services might be right for you.

Broadly speaking, social service is definitely an umbrella term encompassing various careers. The most popular goal of social service work is to offer aid--legal, medical, financial, etc. - to those in need. Based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), community and social service occupations employed over 1.7 million as of May 2007. That number included occupations including probation officers and correctional treatment specialists to social workers, school counselors--even marriage and family therapists.

Growing Opportunity

One of the strongest incentives to enter a cultural service career could be the rapid expansion of the employment opportunity. Over the following 10 years, employment in several social service careers is likely to increase. Social workers, for instance, should see employment increase 22 percent during between 2006 and 2016. Over the same period, marriage and family therapists, in addition to substance abuse counselors should see a jump of 30 percent in employment.

One social service career experiencing particularly rapid growth is geriatric care. Geriatric care may provide many career opportunities in the near future. Based on Larry Minnix, CEO of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, within the next a decade, "geriatric care managers is likely to be among the most important roles in the entire health services delivery system."

The information on America's rapidly expanding senior population appear to agree. By 2030, the number of Americans avove the age of 65 is expected to achieve 71 million. The Freedonia Group, a research firm, estimates revenue for elder care services should grow 6.6 percent annually through 2011.

Education for Social Service Careers

If you're thinking about pursuing a cultural service career, education is an essential first step. Most social service careers need you to have some kind of postsecondary training, and many require advanced degrees and state licensure. As an example, social workers typically need a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) for entry-level positions. However, in the event that you major in psychology, sociology, or even a related field, you can even lay the academic groundwork for further career development--and college degrees, in social work. Social workers in clinical and healthcare settings (five in ten, in line with the BLS) typically need master's degrees. Similarly, if you're thinking about practicing as a counselor, a master's degree is traditionally a must. If you want to apply in the general public employ, you may even need state licensure.

Long lasting job, social work could be challenging, yet rewarding. In the language of Beverly Bernstein Joie, co-founder of Philadelphia-based Elder Connections (a nonprofit practice providing home help to the elderly), "This work satisfies two areas of myself: the part that loves to take care of people and the part that wants to become a businesswoman."

And that's what really counts. In the end, the main requirement for social service work is really a strong desire to help others. If you're also emotionally mature, sensitive to the issues of others, and effective at forming strong, courteous relationships, you may already have what it takes--and ample reason--to make your way in social service.