Private practitioners must be able to market themselves to prospective purchasers of their services such as schools, health care providers, corporations, or individuals. Moreover, they must be prepared to deal with competition from psychologists, psychiatric nurses, counselors, and other mental health providers. Job prospects for social workers vary a great deal. Opportunities differ, depending upon academic credentials, experience, and field of practice. Geographic location is a consideration, too.
Competition is keen in cities where training programs for social workers abound.
This competition is certain to intensify if social services are cut back in response to budget pressures on State and local governments. At the same time, population growth in the Sunbelt States is spurring expansion of social service programs there, and some isolated rural areas are finding it difficult to attract and retain qualified staff. Trends in enrollment in social work education will affect job prospects for social workers through the mid-1990's. The number of social work degrees awarded each year peaked in the late 1970's and has been declining ever since. A number of factors, of which the impending decrease in the college-age population is the most important, point to a continued decline.