Career Profile: Social Worker

Talking to social worker Neelam Mann about the satisfaction of helping someone in need.

For the most part, people focus on their own lives and problems. Be that as it may, the satisfaction we feel when we know we have truly helped someone is undeniable – and a career in social work opens up countless opportunities to help people cope with life’s various challenges.


Originally inspired to venture into the field of social work through her work as a special education assistant in high school, registered Social Worker Neelam Mann gets the satisfaction of knowing she is helping people every day. Holding both a master’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Mann spends her time fulfilling a number of social work roles, including counselling breast cancer and urology patients. Youthink recently got the chance to catch up with Mann to learn more about her rewarding career in social work.

YT: As a social worker in the breast health and urology clinic, what does an average workday look like for you?

NM: In breast health, when a positive biopsy occurs, the client can be very upset and need counselling support, which is where I fit in. In urology, some clients may have mental health or chronic pain concerns which aggravate their symptoms, so I assist by providing therapy related to symptom management, relaxation techniques, anxiety/stress management and so forth. Part of my role in both clinics is also resource support for any areas that the client might want to explore (i.e. finances, etc.).


YT: What personal qualities are necessary to be a social worker?

NM: Patience, empathy, being level-headed, being prepared for the unexpected (good with crisis intervention, problem solving and conflict resolution), being a good communicator, being a good listener and being interested in working with people.


YT: What is the salary range for a social worker?

NM: Your salary depends on which area you are working in and what your education is, but the range for yearly income can be $30,000 to $100,000. In the Fraser Health Authority, a bachelor’s of social work earns $27 to $33 per hour (some community positions go up to $39 per hour), whereas a master’s of social work earns $30 to $39 per hour.


YT: Can you work abroad with your training?

NM: Yes, the United Kingdom and Australia are always actively recruiting for social workers trained in Canada. You can easily work in the USA once you complete the state’s registration to their regulating body. Your degree is also transferable to other countries. Some social work positions can even focus on community and policy development, not just in Canada, but abroad as well.


YT: What other career opportunities can working as a social worker lead to?

NM: Community planning, research, counselling, education, management, child welfare, private practice and non-profit agency work.


YT: What are some areas of social work that will need workers in the next few years?

NM: Areas of social work where the need may increase include: hospital social work, mental health, ethnic services, family support and geriatrics. The population is growing, and the population is aging… the needs in the future for social work will increase.


YT: What advice do you have for high-school students who are interested in the field of social work?

NM: I know that in some schools, you can take a course where you are an assistant in a special needs classroom. Some schools offer a social work or family studies course. I think courses like these are great to get a taste for social work issues. I would also strongly advise starting your career by volunteering in programs that might interest you, like working in community agencies, seniors’ homes, special needs programs, programs focused on children/youth and/or counselling programs.