Six Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers Southland branch social workers from different fields approached The Ensign keen to give their views on their work and to promote the career opportunities associated with social work.
The women said being able to relate to people from all walks of life was vital when it came to social work.
For Nora Thompson, who worked for the Southland District Health Board, having worked in the hospitality industry and being a "people person" had meant she could use those experiences and attributes in the social work field.
"It was being able to work with people, which is what I enjoy," Mrs Thompson said.
Social work was challenging and rewarding and no two days were the same, she said.
Jonelle Galbreath, a Child Youth and Families senior practitioner, was raised in a small rural area and the sense of community she experienced when she was growing up helped foster in her a caring attitude.
Ms Galbreath had held several roles within CYF but her overriding philosophy was to make sure the best outcomes and opportunities could be found for all concerned.
"I can't see myself doing anything else other than social work," Ms Galbreath said.
Sue Evans, CCS disability action supporting lifestyle co-ordinator, said it was a privilege to be able to go into people's homes and work with them.
She covered the whole of Southland, from Queenstown to Invercargill.
"It's the people. It's so fantastic to work with them," Ms Evans said.
Before she trained as a social worker, Family Works social worker Jan Hibbs had worked in several jobs, including woolhandling and working in the meat-processing industry.
She said social work had become her "passion".
Nga Kete Matauranga Pounamu Trust social worker Hine Rolton said an integral part of her work was "sustaining" clients through the first six-month period of a new job.
"This is done by supporting clients, advocating for them and helping with problem-solving and connecting with resources," Mrs Rolton said.
"I visit clients in their workplaces, homes or an independent place," she said.
The women said the overriding objective of their jobs was to help people help themselves.
Merle Petersen, the Southern Institute of Technology's social services programme manager, said her role at SIT meant she was helping educate the next generation of social workers, which was a privilege.
She predicted the need for social workers would grow as "baby boomers" neared retirement and became more dependent on the country's health and social services.
SIT offered a level four national certificate in social services which dovetailed into the degree course offered at Otago University.
The social work courses at SIT were open to students in the 20-plus age group, she said.
While the social work field had traditionally attracted more women, Ms Petersen had noticed more men entering the industry.
"It's now okay for a man to say he's a social worker," Ms Petersen said.
A men's social workers' group had been formed.
The economic recession had resulted in redundancies and people were having to retrain and some of those had decided to train as social workers, she said.
There were opportunities for advancement for social workers who could take up management and supervisory roles.
Social Workers' Day is an initiative of Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers.
