7 answers
Gianna
Student
Richmond, California
1
Question
Updated
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What are the most important skills and experiences I should develop during college to become an effective social worker in underserved communities and how can I built resilience to navigate the challenges of this field long-term? Spring#26
Hi I'm an undergraduate in my sophomore year majoring in Sociology. I aspire to be a social worker handling domestic violence. I'm open to all advice regarding social work!
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7 answers
Darcy Troyanovsky
Consulting
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Darcy’s Answer
I am not in the social work field, I am in business, but I would say focusing on strong communication skills and personability is so key (especially in this evolving AI world). There will be more need for human interactions and human touch points. I would start by reading on communication books, take communication classes on how to articulate points effectively, and watch youtube videos on how to speak with more compassion and enhance emotional intelligence.
Max L. Walling, Ed.D.
Healthcare Consulting
3
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Max’s Answer
Hi Gianna, here are three key areas to focus on:
First, try to gain as much direct experience in the field as possible. Even though certain rules might limit you from shadowing a social worker, you can still get involved. Volunteer with underprivileged groups, join a Big Sister program, or participate in community activities that help those in need. This hands-on experience will help you understand their struggles and needs, building a strong foundation for your future as a social worker.
Second, learn about the challenges social workers face. It's a demanding job with long hours and tough situations, and sometimes the problems can't be solved easily. Being aware of these challenges and preparing for them is important. Make sure you have a balanced life outside of work to keep your energy up. Consider finding a "third place"—a hobby or activity that brings joy and relaxation, like a game night with friends or a community group. This balance will help you handle the demands of your work.
Lastly, know your "why." Understand why you want to be a social worker. On tough days, remembering your reasons and the purpose behind your work can keep you motivated. Every career has difficult moments, but having a clear sense of why this work matters to you will help you stay grounded.
Serving others is a noble goal. Best of luck on your journey!
First, try to gain as much direct experience in the field as possible. Even though certain rules might limit you from shadowing a social worker, you can still get involved. Volunteer with underprivileged groups, join a Big Sister program, or participate in community activities that help those in need. This hands-on experience will help you understand their struggles and needs, building a strong foundation for your future as a social worker.
Second, learn about the challenges social workers face. It's a demanding job with long hours and tough situations, and sometimes the problems can't be solved easily. Being aware of these challenges and preparing for them is important. Make sure you have a balanced life outside of work to keep your energy up. Consider finding a "third place"—a hobby or activity that brings joy and relaxation, like a game night with friends or a community group. This balance will help you handle the demands of your work.
Lastly, know your "why." Understand why you want to be a social worker. On tough days, remembering your reasons and the purpose behind your work can keep you motivated. Every career has difficult moments, but having a clear sense of why this work matters to you will help you stay grounded.
Serving others is a noble goal. Best of luck on your journey!
Andrew McMillan
Management Consultant
2
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
Hi Gianna,
Without repeating Darcy's great advice, the (soft) skills that come to mind for me that would be valuable as a Social Worker are: 1) empathy, 2) patience, and 3) work-life-balance (in other words, learning to create space for yourself to disconnect and decompress outside of your work hours). The hours and days can be long as a Social Worker, so finding ways to bring joy to your life outside of work may help ward off compassion-fatigue and keep you grounded during the more difficult days.
Regarding building resilience, this comes from having gradually increasing exposure over time to situations that are similar to or that you will be experiencing as a Social Worker - I would consider this as experiencing "progressive overload" (a term often used in fitness) to build your resiliency.
Regarding experiences, I think volunteering frequently (note: frequency is relative to what you are able to give) gives you exposure and experience to build skills and understanding that will be valuable for your career as a Social Worker.
Without repeating Darcy's great advice, the (soft) skills that come to mind for me that would be valuable as a Social Worker are: 1) empathy, 2) patience, and 3) work-life-balance (in other words, learning to create space for yourself to disconnect and decompress outside of your work hours). The hours and days can be long as a Social Worker, so finding ways to bring joy to your life outside of work may help ward off compassion-fatigue and keep you grounded during the more difficult days.
Regarding building resilience, this comes from having gradually increasing exposure over time to situations that are similar to or that you will be experiencing as a Social Worker - I would consider this as experiencing "progressive overload" (a term often used in fitness) to build your resiliency.
Regarding experiences, I think volunteering frequently (note: frequency is relative to what you are able to give) gives you exposure and experience to build skills and understanding that will be valuable for your career as a Social Worker.
Anthony Rivera
Financial Audit
2
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Hi Gianna,
To start off great question. The shift from college to an actual workplace is definitely a big change and is a transition that will place you in front of people from different backgrounds, customs, and ways of thinking. In a field such as a social work, it is very important to understand people's situation and take into consideration that they are living a different reality, which in your case will be people involved with domestic violence. Having said that, during your time in college right now and onward, try to engage with as many people as possible. Strengthen your communication skills, purposely place yourself in uncomfortable situations (whatever that may look like for you, i.e. academically, socially, etc.), and don't always deny opportunities. Someone once said to me, "a slow/hesitant yes, can result in a better outcome than a quick no". Within college and your field specifically, people are living different realities and understanding this and not judging peoples situation will take you very far in your career and as a person. Good luck in everything and if there's any other questions I can answer, feel free to reach out.
To start off great question. The shift from college to an actual workplace is definitely a big change and is a transition that will place you in front of people from different backgrounds, customs, and ways of thinking. In a field such as a social work, it is very important to understand people's situation and take into consideration that they are living a different reality, which in your case will be people involved with domestic violence. Having said that, during your time in college right now and onward, try to engage with as many people as possible. Strengthen your communication skills, purposely place yourself in uncomfortable situations (whatever that may look like for you, i.e. academically, socially, etc.), and don't always deny opportunities. Someone once said to me, "a slow/hesitant yes, can result in a better outcome than a quick no". Within college and your field specifically, people are living different realities and understanding this and not judging peoples situation will take you very far in your career and as a person. Good luck in everything and if there's any other questions I can answer, feel free to reach out.
Shruti Tiwari
3
Answers
Updated
Shruti’s Answer
Hi Gianna, I think your major is a fantastic choice for what you want to do in the future. i think you will gain a lot of interpersonal skills with Sociology that will help you become a successful social worker. That is a fantastic career choice and I think you will do amazing work for the world. I think focusing on understanding how race, class, language, trauma, disability, immigration status, and geography shape access and trust will be great topics to focus on so you have a very open mind in the industry
Aaron Landrum
Program Officer
2
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Aaron’s Answer
Hi Gianna, thank you for your thoughtful question! You're on the right track in supporting yourself in this career. Although I'm not in social work, I work in public health, and my father was a clinical social worker. It's important to understand the systems affecting your clients while caring for their personal situations without judgment. Courses in anthropology and sociology helped me find this balance. Also, building a supportive community of peers and knowing how to recharge is vital. This career can be challenging due to system limitations, but it's rewarding as you'll help individuals and guide them to the right resources.
Brian Jagan
Program Manager
4
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Brian’s Answer
In social work, it's important to build strong skills like good communication and empathy. Being able to understand where people come from and see things from their perspective will really help you succeed.