Do I Want to Major in Social Work

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Do I Want to Major in Social Work?

• Sarah Ross, Career Counselor
• Sarah Griffith, Intern
• Syracuse University

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Social Work Definition

• The social work program is based on the concept
  of ecological systems, which maintains that the
  fundamental focus of social work practice is on
  the transactions of people and their
  environments, and on the constant state of
  reciprocity in which each shapes the other.
  Social work intervention aims to promote the
  progressive forces and minimize the regressive
  forces in those transactions. The curriculum
  incorporates instruction in five professional
  foundation areas social welfare policy and
  services, human behavior in the social
  environment, research, social work practice, and
  field practicum. Instruction in these areas
  builds upon a carefully chosen and strong liberal
  arts preparation in the humanities, the social
  and behavioral sciences, and the natural sciences
  taken within the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Undergraduate Course Handbook 2006 - 2007

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What?

• Social work is organized work directed toward
  the betterment of social conditions in the
  community, as by seeking to improve conditions of
  the poor, to promote the welfare of children,
  etc.
• www.Dictionary.com

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So

• Basically, social workers provide guidance and
  assistance in helping people solve personal or
  family relationships.
• Social work prepares people to work with
  individuals, families, groups, and communities in
  todays society.

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How does Social Work differ from Counseling and
Psychology?

• Social work focuses more upon family and
  community within the context of social problems.
  Social workers focus upon trying to alleviate
  social ills faced by individuals.
• Psychology and counseling are more centered upon
  the study of individual behavior and why people
  do what they do and feel the way they feel. This
  is unlike social work which focuses more on the
  behavior of individuals in relation to society.
• Social work looks at how society impacts the
  individual.
• Emphasis Added

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So a Typical Day Might Look Like

• -Usually work a standard 40-hour week
• -Occasionally work evenings and weekends to meet
  with clients, attend community meetings, and
  handle emergencies.
• -Some, particularly in voluntary nonprofit
  agencies, work part time.
• -Usually spend most of their time in an office
  or residential facility, but also may travel
  locally to visit clients, meet with service
  providers, or attend meetings.
• -May use one of several offices within a local
  area in which to meet with clients.
• -The work, while satisfying, can be emotionally
  draining. Understaffing and large caseloads add
  to the pressure in some agencies. To tend to
  patient care or client needs, many hospitals and
  long-term care facilities are employing social
  workers on teams with a broad mix of occupations,
  including clinical specialists, registered
  nurses, and health aides.

http//www.bls.gov/oco/ocos060.htm
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Is Social Work for Me? Yes If You

• Like working with others
• Are interested in helping others
• Understand government programs and social service
  organizations
• Are interested in promoting social justice,
  positive change
• Like conducting and engaging in research
• Have a positive outlook
• Can be sensitive to others needs and problems
• Understand and appreciate human diversity

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So What Skills Do I Need?

• Ability to counsel, identify concerns, ponder
  solutions
• Socialization and good people skills
• Leadership Skills
• Management Skills

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So What Skills Do I Need?

• Ability to evaluate problems
• Capable of making sound decisions
• Able to promote healthy relationships
• Engage in ethical practice
• Think outside the box
• Is patient
• Can understand and appreciate
• human diversity and human differences

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So Where Do I Start?

• Get Involved!
• Try on campus activities
• Get volunteer experience
• Use summer jobs
• Consider a double major
• Secure Internships
• Work with professors
• Career Services
• 235 Schine Student Center!
• Work with mentors

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Possible Job Opportunities

• Counseling
• Substance Abuse Assess/advise those with
  substance abuse problems (alcohol, tobacco,
  drugs)
• Family Services Help find foster homes for
  neglected, abandoned, abused children Arrange
  adoptions
• School Social Work Teach workshops Address
  problems of teenage pregnancy, misbehavior,
  truancy Advise teachers on how to cope with
  problem students
• Health
• Nursing Homes Help for senior citizens Run
  support groups for family caregivers or for adult
  children of aging parents Advise elderly or
  family members about choices in housing,
  transportation, long-term care Meals on Wheels
• Clinics General/Psychiatric Provide persons,
  families, vulnerable populations with
  psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic,
  acute, terminal illnesses (cancer, Alzheimers)
  Evaluate patients geriatrics
• Mental Health Services
• Shelters Advise family caregivers, counsel
  patients Assess and treat those with mental
  illness Individual/group therapy, outreach,
  crisis intervention, social rehabilitation, and
  skills training

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I Need More Information!

• Center for Career Services
• 235 Schine Student Center
• 443-3616
• Print Resources
• Faculty or professional advisors
• Mentor _at_ S.U. database
• Web Resources and Professional Associations

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Helpful Websites

• The Social Service Job Site
• www.socialservice.com
• 816-237-1122
• Social Work Job Bank
• www.socialworkjobbank.com
• 717-238-3787
• Peace Corps
• www.peacecorps.gov
• 800.424.8580
• Human Rights Internet
• www.hri.ca/index.aspx
• (1-613) 789-7407

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Steps to Consider for Graduate School

• GRE prep!
• Finding the right program
• Choosing a school
• Applying and submitting application
• Visiting campus
• Personal statements
• www.bridges.com/ct
• Contact Career Services for logon information
• www.petersons.com
• What is Plan B in case this doesnt work out?

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Questions?

• Huh?