TUSCALOOSA, AL (WBRC) -
The next generation of social workers gets an early start on helping others. More than a dozen high school students are taking part in a social work camp at the University of Alabama. The program started seven years ago in Georgia.
Now it operates similar camps at the University of Alabama and at Alabama state.
The six week program exposes high school juniors and seniors to college life and real-life work experience at agencies that partner with United Way, like the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA and many others.
The program's director says as America's population grows older, the need for more social workers is increasing.
"There's an increased need for professional social workers. If you look at any Department of Labor report, social work is one of the fastest growing occupations," director Sebrena Jackson said.
"I think through 2016 we're growing really fast, specifically because of the aging population, because we have so many people, baby boomers retiring, there's a tremendous need for social workers."
Students could start their internships as early as tomorrow. Besides helping some folks in need, these are also paid internships.
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