![[Featured image] A social worker holding a case file and a cup of coffee smiles at the camera.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2Erw9V2D4zgQi7FbmY5s2W/e9aecb50a8dbeb7fb943969e7477572e/Stocksy_txp26302813Dhs200_Large_2874581__1_.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
What Does a Social Worker Do (and How Do I Become One)?
Learn how you can help improve the lives of others with a role in social work.
June 3, 2024
Article
Coursera Staff
Editorial Team
Bio
Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact-checkers. Our articles are deeply researched and thoroughly reviewed to ensure we are providing trustworthy information and advice for any topic. We understand that taking the next step in your education or career can raise questions. We are here to provide actionable, reliable, and relevant answers so you can achieve your goals.
![[Featured image] Two young colleagues meet in a casual environment, one smiling at the other while sitting on a couch next to some plants, to network and talk about industry trends and their career goals.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6U52O8Y2ZKRrmbCoO52W94/40edd88a509c972ecfd90fd3536b6d98/GettyImages-1261563456.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A photonics engineer works on light-based equipment with tools in a lab.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6Sblqtl8wEBsfd9nRwuYWt/811ee861dc19ad081bc829bf7cea3217/iStock-625895720.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A woman wakes up feeling refreshed.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/rcEyWMpY2uxntgLb8CX6T/32b06a55b0b325324f36de26ea5d74ab/GettyImages-1222966299.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image]: A woman with short dark hair, is wearing a white paramedic uniform. She has a stethoscope around her neck. She is standing in front of an ambulance at the entrance of the emergency room of a hospital.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6Co2agyQ8GXPUH0GdMvqsF/662b01c31fbfff1a82a929689f56150b/GettyImages-73772978.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] An IT support specialist sets up a virtual machine on a laptop computer.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/nYNeKe6dtrhYncLbUOjiS/86b8ba065545ef855a716cbd7de4b4e9/GettyImages-1171003896.jpeg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)