As part of the human relations field, social workers provide services for people who are disadvantaged and troubled. On a broader level many social workers work with organizations and communities to improve social conditions and to plan for better environments. Social workers, therefore, have the opportunity to practice at different levels of intervention. Each of the social work areas of specialization calls for different qualities in the practitioner. An interest in social problems is commonly shared but individual abilities and interest should be matched to the work.
Community organization requires leadership skills and political know how.
A grasp of the large scale political and social picture is required to work effectively at the policy level. Completion of secondary school. A 15 or 20 credit BA degree, often in psychology, sociology, urban studies, political science, economics, history and anthropology. A second language is also useful. Most students interested in social work take programs in psychology, political science, urban studies, economics and sociology, but the U of T Faculty of Social Work admits students who have taken other programs.