Checkbook Chronicles: 23-year-old social worker living in Michigan weighs in on the economy
This is part of NBC News’ Checkbook Chronicles, a series of profiles looking at the financial realities of everyday Americans and the challenges they face.
This is part of NBC News’ Checkbook Chronicles, a series of profiles looking at the financial realities of everyday Americans and the challenges they face.
Austin Urlaub says he comes from a long line of “helpers," including special education teachers, counselors and psychologists.
But the Michigan native is still the first in his family to go directly into social work. He says it’s a calling, that he has “a knack for helping people.” He has served in student government but said many in his social circle questioned his decision to enter the field at first, at least from a financial perspective.
But Urlaub has found that, for tragic reasons, compensation in his field is soaring.
“Everyone was saying, ‘Oh great, you’re not doing it for the money,’” he said. “But now, social workers are becoming in demand; every workplace now pretty much requires one. It’s become very incentivized, so I’m not too worried about job security.”
Rating: 5