Graduates looking for a job where they can really contribute to improving people’s lives or helping to combat inequality and injustice may find a fulfilling career in social care or community and youth work. There is a good amount of variety within these roles and they are usually not exclusively office based.  

This career sector would be particularly suited to people who have a strong sense of service or dedication to a cause, and are genuinely interested in helping others. Some people have a strong desire to work in this sector because they want ‘to give something back’, to feel as if their work is meaningful.   But you will also need the key skills to contribute on a practical basis, especially very good interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and negotiate.  You will also find that high energy, good project management and good administrative skills are all very beneficial. 

What’s involved

The social care sector provides personal care and support services to individuals, families and communities regarding difficulties they may be experiencing - physical, mental or environmental.  Examples include working with people with mental or physical disability, addictions, fostering, adoption and young offenders. 

Working in the community and youth sector involves working with communities of people disadvantaged by race, economic circumstances or geography.  Work focuses on identifying inequalities and empowering the people to overcome the issues they are faced with.  These sectors overlap quite a lot and often the same type of person would be interested in working in any of these sectors.   

The opportunities for graduates are far more clear-cut in the social work/social care sector.  These are typically state funded jobs, with quite clear career progression.  A degree in social science or a similar area is required and even with such a qualification, people working in this sector must gain a national social work qualification (NQSW) See www.nqswb.ie for the Republic and www.niscc.info regarding Northern Ireland.  Within the community/youth sector there are as many unpaid as paid roles available and people interested in working in both this sector and social care often gain valuable, relevant work experience on an unpaid basis early in their career.

Social, community and youth FAQs: everything you need to know about getting a job in social, community and youth.