6 answers
D'asia
Student
Flint, Michigan
3
Questions
Asked
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What piece of advice or perspective can you share as I enter my senior year of college for BSW Social Work? :)
I am excited and was hoping to read perspectives on career pathways starting out in the field, licensing tips, entry level jobs/experiences, and etc.
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6 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3822
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear D'asia,
Guidelines for Your Final Year in BSW Social Work:
As you prepare for your final year of college in pursuit of a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, here are some valuable tips and insights to help you navigate towards a thriving career in social work. Consider these crucial points:
1. Career Trajectories in Social Work:
Specialization: Reflect on the specific area of social work that excites you, be it clinical social work, community coordination, school social work, or another niche. Investigate the various routes within the profession to discover where your enthusiasm truly lies.
Networking: Begin establishing professional connections with lecturers, graduates, and industry professionals. Networking can pave the way for internships, job assignments, and mentorship opportunities.
Further Education: Contemplate if you wish to continue your education post-BSW, potentially pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Higher degrees can open doors to better-paid positions and more specialized roles.
2. Tips for Social Work Licensing:
Licensing Prerequisites: Investigate the licensing prerequisites for social workers in your state or where you intend to practice. Familiarize yourself with the process to acquire licensure, which usually involves completing supervised work experience and passing a licensing examination.
Professional Growth: Participate in continuous professional growth activities to boost your skills and expertise in the field. This can involve attending workshops, conferences, and training sessions pertinent to social work practice.
3. Starting Jobs/Experiences:
Internships: Pursue internships during your final year or over the summer to acquire practical experience in social work environments. Internships can enable you to apply academic knowledge to real-life scenarios and expand your professional network.
Volunteer Work: Think about volunteering with groups that resonate with your social work interests. Volunteering can offer invaluable experience, allow you to contribute to the community, and showcase your dedication to social justice.
Job Search Strategies: Begin exploring entry-level job prospects in social work early. Use career services at your college, participate in job fairs, and explore online job boards specific to social work roles.
In summary, as you set forth on your final year of college in BSW Social Work, remember to stay inquisitive, proactive, and open-minded about the diverse career options available to you in the social work field. Pursue opportunities for growth, learning, and professional development to lay the groundwork for a rewarding and influential career.
Top 3 Reliable Sources Used:
National Association of Social Workers (NASW): The NASW is a professional body that provides resources on licensing prerequisites, career growth, and ethical standards for social workers.
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE): The CSWE establishes accreditation norms for social work education programs and offers insights into career trajectories and educational opportunities in social work.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): The BLS offers data on job prospects, wage details, and general occupational information for social workers in the US.
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine.
Guidelines for Your Final Year in BSW Social Work:
As you prepare for your final year of college in pursuit of a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, here are some valuable tips and insights to help you navigate towards a thriving career in social work. Consider these crucial points:
1. Career Trajectories in Social Work:
Specialization: Reflect on the specific area of social work that excites you, be it clinical social work, community coordination, school social work, or another niche. Investigate the various routes within the profession to discover where your enthusiasm truly lies.
Networking: Begin establishing professional connections with lecturers, graduates, and industry professionals. Networking can pave the way for internships, job assignments, and mentorship opportunities.
Further Education: Contemplate if you wish to continue your education post-BSW, potentially pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Higher degrees can open doors to better-paid positions and more specialized roles.
2. Tips for Social Work Licensing:
Licensing Prerequisites: Investigate the licensing prerequisites for social workers in your state or where you intend to practice. Familiarize yourself with the process to acquire licensure, which usually involves completing supervised work experience and passing a licensing examination.
Professional Growth: Participate in continuous professional growth activities to boost your skills and expertise in the field. This can involve attending workshops, conferences, and training sessions pertinent to social work practice.
3. Starting Jobs/Experiences:
Internships: Pursue internships during your final year or over the summer to acquire practical experience in social work environments. Internships can enable you to apply academic knowledge to real-life scenarios and expand your professional network.
Volunteer Work: Think about volunteering with groups that resonate with your social work interests. Volunteering can offer invaluable experience, allow you to contribute to the community, and showcase your dedication to social justice.
Job Search Strategies: Begin exploring entry-level job prospects in social work early. Use career services at your college, participate in job fairs, and explore online job boards specific to social work roles.
In summary, as you set forth on your final year of college in BSW Social Work, remember to stay inquisitive, proactive, and open-minded about the diverse career options available to you in the social work field. Pursue opportunities for growth, learning, and professional development to lay the groundwork for a rewarding and influential career.
Top 3 Reliable Sources Used:
National Association of Social Workers (NASW): The NASW is a professional body that provides resources on licensing prerequisites, career growth, and ethical standards for social workers.
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE): The CSWE establishes accreditation norms for social work education programs and offers insights into career trajectories and educational opportunities in social work.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): The BLS offers data on job prospects, wage details, and general occupational information for social workers in the US.
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine.
Keyston Rice
Supervisor
180
Answers
Lawrence, IN
Updated
Keyston’s Answer
Entering your senior year for BSW Social Work, I'd suggest embracing curiosity. It's great to focus on career pathways, but remember, the most unexpected experiences can shape your journey. Licensing and entry-level jobs matter, yet some unconventional paths can lead to remarkable growth. By the way, I've mentored young men through a summer youth program, revealing the value of empathy and real-world connections. Stay open to unique opportunities, and you'll find your own extraordinary way in the field.
Samantha Sharazi
Operations Associate
6
Answers
Bonaire, Georgia
Updated
Samantha’s Answer
Kudos on stepping into your final year! This is truly thrilling! My most rewarding experience during my BSW senior year was undoubtedly my internship. I was fortunate enough to intern at a local clinic specializing in sexual and reproductive health. This opportunity ignited a deep-seated passion in me for reproductive health and justice. Once my internship ended, I continued to contribute as a volunteer for a couple of months, and soon, I was offered a paid position. I even had the chance to intern again during my MSW!
While not everyone is fortunate enough to land an internship at an organization they truly admire and feel passionate about, it's often one of the first opportunities to interact with numerous professionals in your field. It's a chance to learn from their experiences and establish connections within your community.
Fully engaging in your internship, participating in their events, and embracing the challenges and opportunities they present to you for personal and professional growth can really make a difference. I was associated with that organization for nearly five years, between the two internships, volunteering, and paid employment. I still find myself missing it most days, even after relocating to another state. I had the privilege of working in administration, non-licensed counseling, and development.
Best wishes on your journey! Relish every moment!
While not everyone is fortunate enough to land an internship at an organization they truly admire and feel passionate about, it's often one of the first opportunities to interact with numerous professionals in your field. It's a chance to learn from their experiences and establish connections within your community.
Fully engaging in your internship, participating in their events, and embracing the challenges and opportunities they present to you for personal and professional growth can really make a difference. I was associated with that organization for nearly five years, between the two internships, volunteering, and paid employment. I still find myself missing it most days, even after relocating to another state. I had the privilege of working in administration, non-licensed counseling, and development.
Best wishes on your journey! Relish every moment!
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice! Yes I was able to secure a nice internship more in the law world. I needed to hear this especially with taking on challenges and engaging in my internship. Hopefully I can get offered a position, but overall I loved reading this! Thank you!
D'asia
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
202
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Congratulations, D'Asia! In case you haven't already:
- see what the career center at your college can offer
- seek advice from your Social Work professors
- try to network with alumni from your college in Social Work (there may even be a formal program to shadow them during a college break)
- see if you could join a local Social Work professional association (we have one for corporate education in my area with reduced prices for students to participate)
Good luck!
Check out resources at your college's career center
Try to contact alumni from your college in your field (ask the career center and/or alumni relations)
- see what the career center at your college can offer
- seek advice from your Social Work professors
- try to network with alumni from your college in Social Work (there may even be a formal program to shadow them during a college break)
- see if you could join a local Social Work professional association (we have one for corporate education in my area with reduced prices for students to participate)
Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps:
Hi Martha, thank you so much for the detailed gems! I definitely will look into resources from my schooling as my starting point! Overall, thank you!!
D'asia
You're welcome - my pleasure.
Martha Kramer
Taj Kachaamy, PhD
Lecture
26
Answers
El Cajon, California
Updated
Taj’s Answer
Hello, I am excited for you too. If you try to find Intership’s this will help from one hand. From the other hand, you can check the possibility to pursue graduate studies.
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question! Yes, I am thinking about furthering for my Master’s as well.
D'asia
Elena Duran
Case Manager
1
Answer
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Updated
Elena’s Answer
Hi D’asia, I’m Elena! I see that you are starting to think about your future career path. First of all, congratulations on entering your senior year of college, all of your hard work is about to pay off! I graduated in 2022 with my Bachelor’s in Psychology. When I began the job search process I was not yet confident about what I wanted to do once I graduated. I started by looking at entry-level jobs in the psychology as well as social work fields. The options were frankly over-whelming.
My biggest piece of advice is to take your time looking for jobs and to start now. Don’t just apply to every job you see on LinkedIn and Indeed. Dissect each job description and view the company’s webpage and social media content. This helped me to narrow down jobs that aligned with my values and passions.
I interviewed for a handful of positions before I came across a job posting for a case manager at a small and local non-profit that peaked my interest. The language they used on their website and the diversity of their team really called to me. I scored the job after two interviews and ever since I have learned so much. I would highly recommend looking into case management positions as someone looking to work in the field of social work. It has been a great first job and has helped me hone in on so many skills as well as opened me up to the many different sectors of social work.
I wish you well as you embark on your senior year. Continue to ask questions, build connections, and grow your confidence when it comes to talking about yourself and all that you have to offer. Best of luck in whatever career path you choose!
My biggest piece of advice is to take your time looking for jobs and to start now. Don’t just apply to every job you see on LinkedIn and Indeed. Dissect each job description and view the company’s webpage and social media content. This helped me to narrow down jobs that aligned with my values and passions.
I interviewed for a handful of positions before I came across a job posting for a case manager at a small and local non-profit that peaked my interest. The language they used on their website and the diversity of their team really called to me. I scored the job after two interviews and ever since I have learned so much. I would highly recommend looking into case management positions as someone looking to work in the field of social work. It has been a great first job and has helped me hone in on so many skills as well as opened me up to the many different sectors of social work.
I wish you well as you embark on your senior year. Continue to ask questions, build connections, and grow your confidence when it comes to talking about yourself and all that you have to offer. Best of luck in whatever career path you choose!
Hi!
Thank you for this information! I definitely want to get ahead and do my research on jobs now. With social work being a high need, it is overwhelming to think about which route to take. I hope this all works out and I appreciate you for answering! Thank you so much! I do feel like my hard work is paying off.
D'asia