Business

Career options where you can help others

Published

3 years ago

November 28, 2022

sylvia J

Career options where you can help others

Just like change, another constant of life is inequality. Therefore, there will always be people who need help, whether for physical, mental, emotional, social or economic reasons. Fortunately, as a corollary, there will always be people who are willing to offer this help. They are the people who make social work their career. While there are other professionals whose work involves helping others, this blog post will focus more on social work as it is more specific in its approach and its impact on human lives is not merely incidental.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social work is one of the fastest-growing professions in the US, with a projected growth rate of 12% by the end of the current decade.

However, social work is a blanket term that covers a wide range of career options that people can pursue in different fields of life. This blog post will explore what social work is and what career options are available to people who want to actively pursue a career where they can actively help others.

What is social work, and what do you need for a career in social work?

According to the Social Work License Map, social work is a practice-based profession that promotes social change, development, cohesion, and the empowerment of people and communities. In simpler terms, social work involves making life better for people and bringing groups of people together through development.

Social work is a fulfilling career path to pursue. However, social work can also be emotionally tasking. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that you are suited for social work before pursuing a career in the field. Below are some of the things to consider when choosing a people-focused career.

People skills

To pursue a career where helping others is the main focus, you must have certain non-negotiable skills that will put you in a better position to manage people and achieve results based on your interactions with them. People skills include effective communication skills, empathy, emotional intelligence, active listening skills, collaboration and teamwork skills, persuasion skills, mediation skills, reliability, tolerance, and a non-judgmental attitude.

Technical skills

Many people erroneously assume that the only thing they need for a career that involves helping people is a passion for people and societal development. However, helping people requires that you have some technical skills that can be applied to create change and measure results. Project management, strategic decision-making, problem-solving, business organizational tools proficiency, data analysis, writing and design are technical skills that will come in handy when building a career that involves helping people.

A nexus for your soft and technical skills

Another important consideration for a career in helping people is finding a job that fits your soft and technical skills perfectly and matches your personality and interests. For example, a writer looking to pursue a social work career will, by virtue of their writing experience, have learned the art of effective written communication, which can be a very useful skill to have when pursuing a career in advocacy and civil rights.

Credentials

Once you have decided vaguely on what career pursuits might interest you based on your personality and technical skills, you need to build competence in that specific field and gain credentials. Many people assume that they do not need to subject themselves to any form of institutional learning to help people.

The main difference between a person who wants to help people and volunteers their time and skills to do it and a person who wants to build their career around helping other people achieve their potential and live full lives is that the latter builds competence not just through experience but also through training.

A common credential that most people pursue is a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree. This degree enables students to develop the core skills necessary to improve relationships, develop solutions and connect with clients on a deeper, more spiritual level.

Different career options where you can help others

Generally, any career path can be infused with social impact such that it becomes a career option where ‘you can help others’. For example, a fashion entrepreneur can create a sustainable project that is aimed at protecting our planet or a project where they donate items from their fashion business to underprivileged members of society. However, the following categories of work are available for people who are looking to create structured establishments and processes for change.

Child care and family support work

Child welfare and family support work involves creating systems to help vulnerable children, youths and families. Childcare and family support workers provide safe spaces and environments for these children and their families using various mechanisms such as counseling, providing monetary support, housing, and other amenities such as gas. They focus on building up the strength of the family. However, in the event that building up the family unit does not work, family support and child welfare workers focus on protecting children from abuse, harm and neglect and finding new ways to support them.

Substance abuse and mental health management

This type of work focuses on helping people with a history of addiction or substance abuse get their lives back together. They assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional or substance abuse problems. They use different mechanisms such as therapy, crisis interventions, client advocacy, prevention campaigns and education.

Working in this space, your role includes collaborating with counselors, physicians or nursing professionals on treatment plans based on their knowledge of the client’s specific situation and needs. They also monitor the progress of each of their clients by conducting timely reviews and assessments. Workers in this space can have any of the following job titles: case manager, clinical social worker, clinical therapist, counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), mental health therapist, social worker, and substance abuse counselor.

Clinical health social work

Clinical health social workers are professionally trained to help people deal with personal and social factors that affect their health. They also work in healthcare planning, administration and policy roles. They sometimes engage in research and fieldwork to help drive health awareness, patient education and new policies.

They typically work in clinical environments such as hospitals, mental health clinics, private practice, schools, child welfare and human service agencies. They provide support for people dealing with clinical illnesses that are chronic or terminal and the attendant emotional and mental issues. They also assist students in recovery and help them readjust to life outside of the clinic.

School social work

School social work is an area of social work focused on the psychosocial functioning of students to promote and maintain their health and wellbeing. School social workers provide mental health support, manage behavioral concerns, and provide academic and classroom support.

Their roles cover psychosocial assessment and intervention, student and family counseling, adaptive behavior assessment, recreational therapies, health education, assessing social and developmental histories of students with disabilities, identifying students at risk, integrating community resources into schools, advocacy, case management for identifying students in need of help and promoting systematic change within a school system, crisis intervention and conflict resolution.

Criminal justice and forensics

Criminal justice and forensics social workers work at the intersection of the legal system and social services. They collaborate with law enforcement institutions to advocate for reforms in the criminal justice system and create social systems to support families and individuals within the criminal justice system.

A criminal justice and forensics social worker must be familiar with the legal system and the agencies that enforce and initiate laws and law reforms. They may work on cases that involve domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, custody, juvenile delinquents, substance abuse, trauma, and incapacitation trials.

They also provide advisory and consultation services on policy and law reforms, behavioral science research and analysis, public education, safety assessments, alternative dispute resolution services, expert witness services, and recommendations for criminal and juvenile justice cases in terms of mental status, inability to testify and capacity.

Criminal justice and forensic social workers work in various settings, including correctional facilities, mental health institutions, welfare agencies, and centers for victims of trauma and abuse.

Geriatric social worker

With the increase in the aging population, the need for geriatric social workers has increased significantly. Also known as gerontological social workers, they coordinate the care of older patients in clinical and hospice settings. They act as advocates for patients, making sure that they receive the social, emotional and physical care they need. They serve as bridges between patients, their relatives and healthcare officials.

Civil rights, advocacy and community organization

Community organizers advocate work on a wide range of societal issues. They organize members of the community into groups to advocate for specific issues of interest that may range from health, climate action, gender equality, LGBTQ rights, racism, immigration, etc.

Disaster and crisis management

The anticipated and observed effects of climate change and climate disasters necessitate that more people who are interested in social work begin to look into disaster relief. Disaster relief workers support victims of natural disasters and other traumatic events, such as collapsing buildings, and help them cope afterwards.

Other career paths that social workers can pursue include disability and public welfare, occupational and employee assistance programs, international social work, and many more.

These career paths sometimes overlap, and your work in one role may transcend into other aspects of social work. Whichever career you choose, however, you should ensure that you are putting in your best and helping real people overcome trying times and build back their lives.

Business

Navigating the Essentials of Employment Contracts: What Every Employer Should Know

Published

2 days ago

August 10, 2025

sylvia J

Navigating the Essentials of Employment Contracts

Establishing clarity and fairness from the very beginning of an employment relationship is one of the most effective ways to build trust and avoid future disputes. A well-drafted contract of employment outlines the respective rights and responsibilities of both employer and employee, ensuring that expectations are transparent and legally sound. Despite this, many businesses—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) without in-house HR support—continue to overlook the importance of issuing detailed, compliant employment contracts.

More Than a Legal Requirement

In the United Kingdom, providing employees with a written statement of terms is a statutory requirement under the Employment Rights Act 1996. However, a formal contract of employment does far more than simply satisfy legal obligations. A carefully constructed agreement can safeguard a company’s interests in several key areas—from protecting confidential information and intellectual property to defining working hours, salary entitlements, and procedures for grievances or dismissal.

An employment contract acts as a reference point throughout the employee’s time with the company. It helps prevent misunderstandings over issues such as sick pay, parental leave, and notice periods. For employers, it also ensures that expectations around performance, conduct, and workplace policies are clearly documented. When such matters are left vague or omitted entirely, disputes become more likely and are harder to resolve.

Recent research from the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) highlights the risks of inadequate communication around employment terms. Many cases of employee dissatisfaction and high turnover can be traced back to unclear or poorly explained contractual terms. This underlines the importance not only of drafting strong contracts but also of ensuring employees fully understand them from the outset.

Clauses You Shouldn’t Overlook

An effective employment contract should always include core terms such as:

Job title and duties
Place of work (including provisions for hybrid or remote work)
Salary and payment intervals
Working hours, including overtime expectations
Holiday entitlement and public holidays
Sickness absence and sick pay
Notice periods for termination
Confidentiality and data protection
Disciplinary and grievance procedures

Failing to include or accurately word these elements can leave your business vulnerable. For instance, without an enforceable confidentiality clause, a departing employee may legally disclose sensitive information to a competitor. Furthermore, poorly written clauses or reliance on outdated templates can lead to inconsistencies, particularly where contract terms conflict with evolving employment legislation.

It is also essential to tailor contracts to reflect different employment types—such as permanent, part-time, zero-hours, or fixed-term roles—each of which carries specific rights and obligations under UK law. Using generic contracts across all employee types may result in non-compliance and potential tribunal claims.

Sourcing Trusted Contract Templates

To simplify the process while ensuring legal accuracy, many employers turn to professional resources. Platforms like Simply Docs offer a wide range of legally reviewed contract of employment templates designed to align with current UK employment law. These resources help business owners stay compliant and confident, without the cost of hiring external legal advisers for every role.

Updating Contracts in Line with Legislation

Employment contracts should not be seen as static documents. Laws change regularly—whether related to statutory pay rates, family leave, health and safety, or emerging workplace norms like hybrid working. For this reason, employers should review contracts annually and revise them in response to significant legal updates or organisational changes.

Keeping contracts up to date not only ensures compliance but also demonstrates that a business is serious about professionalism and employee wellbeing. In a tight labour market, offering clear and current employment terms can enhance your reputation as a trustworthy and desirable employer.

Final Thoughts

Providing a clear, fair, and comprehensive employment contract is one of the most important steps an employer can take. It strengthens the working relationship, reduces the risk of costly legal disputes, and shows that a business values its people. With reliable templates and regular reviews, employers can easily navigate the complexities of employment law and lay a solid foundation for long-term success.

Business

Struggling with Debt? Here’s a Simple Guide to Finding Relief Without Adding

Published

2 months ago

June 27, 2025

sylvia J

Finding Relief Without Adding More Stress

Debt can feel like a heavy weight on your shoulders. You’re not alone – millions of Americans struggle with financial obligations every day. As Benjamin Franklin wisely noted, “Many a man thinks he is buying pleasure, when he’s really selling himself to it.” Let’s explore how to find relief without adding more stress to your life.

Why Debt Is More Common Than You Think

The numbers tell a powerful story. The average American household carries approximately $273,904 in federal debt according to recent statistics. This isn’t just a personal problem – it’s a national reality.

Feeling ashamed about debt? Don’t. Financial challenges affect people from all walks of life.

Even the federal government struggles with debt management, reporting a deficit of $1.1 trillion at the end of April 2025, which is 13% higher than the same time last year.

What Is Debt Relief?

Debt relief involves strategies to reduce or restructure your financial obligations, making them more manageable. It’s different from taking out more loans or declaring bankruptcy.

Relief programs typically negotiate with creditors to lower interest rates, reduce balances, or create more favorable repayment terms.

5 Signs You Might Benefit from Debt Relief

You’re Only Making Minimum Payments. When you can only afford minimum payments, you’re mostly paying interest rather than reducing principal. This creates a never-ending cycle.
You’re Using Credit to Pay for Necessities. Relying on credit cards for groceries, utilities, or rent indicates financial strain that needs addressing.
You’re Receiving Collection Calls. Frequent calls from creditors or collection agencies signal that your debt situation has become serious.
Your Debt-to-Income Ratio Exceeds 40%. If more than 40% of your monthly income goes toward debt payments, you may benefit from professional help.
You Feel Overwhelmed by Financial Stress. When debt causes anxiety, sleep problems, or relationship strain, it’s time to seek solutions.

The Debt Relief Process Explained

1. Free Consultation

Most reputable debt relief services start with a no-cost assessment of your financial situation. This helps determine if you’re a good candidate for their programs.

According to CBS News, qualifying for debt relief in 2025 typically requires meeting certain thresholds, including credit score requirements and debt-to-income ratios, with more flexible options available through third-party debt relief programs compared to direct consolidation loans.

2. Personalized Plan Development

After analyzing your debts, income, and expenses, specialists create a customized strategy tailored to your specific situation.

“It’s a great idea when you’re struggling with debt to get free debt advice from a charity or a debt non-for-profit,” notes Businessing Magazine. These organizations can help you work out your debts and create a manageable budget.

3. Creditor Negotiation

Professional debt relief services negotiate directly with your creditors, potentially reducing interest rates, waiving fees, or even lowering principal balances.

This negotiation process can save you significant money and stress compared to trying to negotiate on your own.

Choosing a Trustworthy Service

The Federal Trade Commission recently announced a permanent ban on a fraudulent debt relief operation, highlighting the importance of selecting legitimate services.

Search for companies with transparent fee structures, clear explanations of their process, and no upfront fees before services are delivered.

Check reviews, ratings with the Better Business Bureau, and ask about their success rates with clients in situations similar to yours.

Cero Deuda: Support for Hispanic Americans

For Spanish-speaking Americans, Cero Deuda offers specialized debt relief services that understand cultural nuances and language preferences.

Their three-step process includes financial analysis, creditor negotiation, and creating personalized payment plans that typically span 12-48 months.

What sets them apart is their cultural understanding and bilingual support, making the debt relief process more accessible and comfortable for Hispanic communities.

Taking the First Step

The journey to financial freedom starts with a single step: acknowledging your situation and seeking help. Get in touch debt experts contact number for a free consultation to understand your options.

Remember that finding relief from debt is a process, not an overnight solution. With patience and the right support, you can gradually reduce your financial burden and the stress that comes with it.

The path to financial wellness is available to everyone – you just need to take that first step.

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Business

What Makes a Polycarbonate Sheet Ideal for Weather-Resistant Installations

Published

2 months ago

June 27, 2025

sylvia J

What Makes a Polycarbonate Sheet Ideal for Weather-Resistant Installations

No other material other than polycarbonate sheet comes to mind when it involves installation of weather-resistant applications. Featuring unmatched strength, mouldiness and durability, it comes as no surprise that it is extensively used by industries from different backgrounds.

This article highlights why a polycarbonate sheet is recognised as a go-to material among industries looking for long-term and unsullied weather-resistant applications. We will dissect its various key lineaments, such as unmatched strength, durability, lightweightness and more that make it ideal for applications in different industries.

Unmatched Weather Resistance

Among the most salient features of a polycarbonate sheet is its waterproofness, which easily makes it a no-brainer for installation in all applications. No matter how scorching summers are, how chilly winters are, or how torrential rains are, these sheets remain intact and deliver a virtuoso performance all the time.

It is resistant to ultraviolet rays, so when the sheet dries up, it does not turn yellow or split.
Even temperatures ranging from -104°F to 248°F do not affect its performance at all.

Second to None Impact Strength

A polycarbonate sheet is a paradigm of unparalleled strength, which makes it a far more considerable choice for installation than glass. This material sheet does not lose its effectiveness and functionality but remains standing still even when intense winds strike.

It is hundreds of times superior to glass in terms of strength.
It does not pose any threat to the environment or human and animal lives.

Lightweight Yet Hard-wearing

Even being relatively lighter than glass, their unmatched hard-wearing property makes its installation in various industrial applications a no-brainer again.

Contracted requirements of structural support.
Ferrying and installing it requires no consideration.

Flexibility in Application

These sheets are adaptable enough to make them perfect for a variety of applications, for example:

Skylights
Greenhouses
Outdoor signage
Covered walkways

Final Thoughts

A polycarbonate sheet is a perfect and smart choice for those looking to get unsullied flawless safety in their applications all the way. Its remarkable versatility makes it a no-brainer for every industry.

Planning to put a polycarbonate sheet into a residential or commercial place? Consider choosing https://www.plastral.com.au/ only, as it has won spurs as a leading supplier of premium polycarbonate sheets at the most competitive rates. Look at the wide-ranging compilation of our products; choose them depending on your project’s needs and goals.

Read More: Jacqulyn Elizabeth Hanley