Social professions are becoming increasingly important. If you have had a different professional career but want to enter the field of social work, you can still do so. This is because there are a large number of social professions that are suitable for career changers.
Stuttgart - When it comes to choosing our profession and career, most people are guided by their strengths, skills and experience. Not everyone is an ace at math, good at logical thinking, or even an artistic person. For example, many creative jobs are well paid, but not everyone can claim to be a second Picasso. Many also prefer to pursue a job in which they see meaning and fulfillment. For the most part, those who work with people are happier than others, as studies have already found. All the more reason to switch to a social profession. Because a lateral entry is quite possible here.
Professions close to people: These five jobs are most suitable for a lateral entry
The monotonous work at a desk can not only be boring over time, but also underchallenge and make you unhappy. For many career changers, the drive to find a job that is fulfilling is an incentive to venture into unknown territory. The areas here are diverse: Whether working with older citizens, young people or children – in these professions, humanity is the focus. When working with people, it is also guaranteed not to be boring. No two days are the same, employees are constantly confronted with new situations and tasks. As a career expert revealed, companies are also increasingly opening up to career changers.
Not every social profession is suitable for a lateral entry. Depending on the desired job, it depends heavily on previous knowledge, possible professional experience and training. Soft skills also play a major role in a new professional start. These four professions are most suitable for lateral entry in the social sector:
- Family helpers
- Educator
- Social worker
- Geriatric nurse
1. Family helpers
A family helper is a professional who supports families in difficult life situations. The exact scope of activity may vary depending on the organization, but in general, the role of a family helper includes helping families cope with various challenges and crises. A family helper can work in different contexts, such as social work, youth welfare or health care. Here are some of the possible responsibilities of a family helper:
- Counseling and support: Family helpers offer both counseling and support to family members in difficult situations. This can include coping with family conflicts, financial difficulties, parenting issues, or psychological stress.
- Practical help: Family helpers can help families with everyday tasks, especially when they are overwhelmed or overworked. This may include assistance with housekeeping, shopping, childcare, or arranging doctor's visits.
- Crisis intervention: In acute crisis situations, such as domestic violence, neglect or abuse, a family helper can react quickly to ensure the safety of the affected family members. They can help to take protective measures and provide necessary support and offers of help.
- Mediation of support services: Family helpers often have a good knowledge of existing support offers and services in the community. They can assist families in claiming benefits such as child support, social benefits, medical care, or mental health care, and refer them to relevant organizations or professionals.
- Parent Education: Family helpers can support parents in developing parenting skills and building healthy family relationships. For example, they can offer parenting classes that cover topics such as child development, communication, conflict resolution, and positive behavior.
Trained family helpers are usually social pedagogues with a university degree. But training as a so-called home and family caregiver is also possible. As a rule, this is completed in two years of vocational school and an accompanying internship of one year. The training can also be completed on a part-time basis. It ends with a state examination. These professions are also ideal for a lateral entry.
According to Stepstone.de, the average salary of a socio-educational family helper in Germany is 42,300 euros gross per year (3,525 euros per month). However, the salaries of trained domestic and family caregivers are lower than those of their studied colleagues. They range between 1,600 and 3,200 euros gross per month. On average, they come to approximately. 2,400 euros per month.
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2. Educator
If you enjoy dealing with children, have a lot of patience and strong nerves, you should consider the profession of educator. Everyday life in this job is varied. While caring for children comes with great responsibility, encouraging and supporting them can also be very fulfilling. In order to become an educator as a career changer, some requirements must be met. These can vary depending on the federal state.
However, if you already have vocational training in the socio-educational field, many years of professional experience with children in a socio-educational institution or, for example, experience as a childminder, it will be easier for you to become an educator. This is because these factors are usually recognized as pre-qualifications. Therefore, the following applies: The closer the professional qualification, the easier it should be to get started in the educational profession.
Encouraging and supporting children is one of the main tasks of an educator. © imago images/Zoonar.com/Kasper Ravlo
As a rule, in order to become an educator, it is necessary to complete several years of training. This can also be taken in addition to the actual job. Part-time training is also possible. In both cases, however, the training takes longer. In some federal states, it is also possible to qualify as a state-approved educator via a multi-part examination.
As an educator, an average salary of 37,700 euros beckons. The salary range in Germany is between 33,700 euros and 43,600 euros and varies depending on education, professional experience and responsibility. Educators are currently in short supply in Germany, so skilled workers are desperately needed. Employers need flexibility in their requirements, especially when it comes to skilled workers, as an expert revealed in an interview.
3. Social Worker
The responsibilities of a social worker may vary depending on the work environment, specialization and country, but in general they include supporting and accompanying people, families and communities in coping with social problems and challenges. In its basic idea, the profession of social worker is similar to that of family helper, but it is not limited to families. Especially if you like working with young people, the job is ideal. However, there is a sticking point here: For some positions, a degree is necessary in Germany.
In many institutions, however, lateral entrants are also hired to counteract the shortage of skilled workers. Since social work has many facets, there is the right job for just about everyone. Good initial qualifications are provided by internships, further education and training or retraining. According to indeed.de, the average salary in Germany is around 45,000 euros per year.
What exactly is social work? These areas of work include:
- a job in the old people's home but also in the youth home
- Streetwork
- psychosocial support
- Pedagogical work with children and adolescents
- Work in the probation service as well as in correctional facilities
4. Geriatric nurse
As a geriatric nurse, a range of skills and characteristics are needed to adequately understand and support the needs and concerns of the elderly. In addition to empathy and empathy, patience, good observation skills, nursing skills, teamwork, flexibility and resilience are important basic requirements for the profession of geriatric nurse.
In nursing professions, there are numerous opportunities for a lateral entry. © imago images/Bonninstudio
The salary range as a geriatric nurse is between 32,600 euros and 43,400 euros. These jobs for career changers are extremely well paid. The best way to earn money is as a geriatric nurse who has completed training. This takes only two years. After that, further training can be taken on a voluntary basis. Depending on which positions and jobs you are aiming for in geriatric care, the entry requirements for career starters also change. For example, if you want to become a nursing assistant, you must first complete a 200-hour basic nursing course. These courses are offered by the German Red Cross or Caritas, among others.
Care assistants, on the other hand, work both in homes and in the outpatient sector. They help to relieve the burden on family caregivers with their work. If you want to pursue this career path, you must first take a course to qualify as a care assistant. These can also be completed part-time and include around 160 hours of theory lessons, final exams and various internships. In summary, it can be said that there are numerous opportunities for lateral entry in the nursing professions. With just a short qualification, it is possible to enter a new industry.
What exactly are social professions?
"Social professions" refer to activities that focus on supporting and caring for people, especially their social, emotional and physical needs. These professions are designed to improve the well-being and quality of life of individuals, groups or communities.
Social professions encompass a variety of fields of work and can work in various sectors, including healthcare, education, social work, psychology, social pedagogy, and non-profit organizations.
