ABSTRACT
As you have learned in this introductory course, social work as a profession has a long and rich history. But you might also want to know where the profession of social work is going in the future. Where will the jobs be? What will these jobs pay? What type of preparation will social workers need to be effective in the coming decades? In this fi nal chapter, we will complete our exploration of the social work profession by considering the future trends and opportunities for the social work profession, examining the route to becoming a social worker, and, most importantly, moving toward answering the question: Is social work a career for you?
As we consider social work practice into the mid-21st century, the future looks bright for the profession. Employment opportunities continue to expand, compensation for social workers is increasing, and society recognizes the valuable contributions that social workers can and do make to the well-being of people they serve. As the social work profession is well into its second century, the profession will
