As a social worker, there are many ways you could care for the wellbeing of others. The National Association of Social Workers defines social work as ''the professional activity of helping individuals, families, groups or communities enhance or restore their capacity for social functioning or creating societal conditions favorable to that goal.'' With a national job growth projection of 12% over the next decade, social workers can choose to work in settings such as schools, mental health clinics, child welfare and human service agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, substance abuse centers and others. The state of Alabama has identified social work as an area of critical need.