Social Work
Social Work
Social work is an academic discipline and profession which provides services to individuals, groups, or families in need. Additionally it strives to achieve increased well-being and social-functioning skills for those in need.
Many social workers spend time in an office setting although visiting clients off-site is common. Social workers can be found in a wide range of employment settings such as hospitals, schools, mental health clinics, military barracks, senior centers, public social agencies, neighborhoods, and community organizations.
Job Title Examples:
- Child Protective and Family Assessment Response Specialist
- Adoption Social Worker
- Case Manager
- Family Protection Specialist
- Youth Services Specialist
- School Social Worker
Skills Needed:
- Communication
- Listening skills
- Time management
- Teamwork
- Problem solving
Further Education:
Although not necessary, there are plenty of benefits to achieving a Master of Social Work. The MSW demonstrates you possess additional knowledge and skills, and provides the ability to secure a wider variety of careers in the social work field.
Clinical social workers must have a master’s degree and two years of post-master’s experience in a supervised clinical setting. Clinical social workers must also be licensed in the state in which they practice. Visit Licensing in Social Work for more information on licensing per state and the different types of licensing requirements.
Find Opportunities
Using IrishCompass, LinkedIn, and ND’s alumni association directory called myND is the best way to start on the networking front. Building relationships and networking is a key factor when it comes to finding out about opportunities in this sector as well. Stay in touch with ND alumni groups in whatever city you’re pursuing a career in Digital Media in - most likely they will be willing to help you get connected and find potential opportunities.
Job Databases:
- Career Shift
- ND Alumni Job Databases
- Social Work Job Bank
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Job Database
Industry Timeline
Careers in this field depend on the organization’s needs and position availability.
Applying and Interviewing
Resumes
Your resume will often be the first impression for a potential employer. You want to make sure that your resume is concise, direct, and specific. Ensure that your resume is tailored for the position and for the industry. Highlighting relevant coursework can demonstrate your fit for a particular position. Review our guide on resumes for more information on how to construct one.
Cover Letters
A cover letter introduces you to a potential employer. Use the position description to make specific connections between your skills and experience and what the organization is looking for in a candidate. The cover letter should be concise and well-written—if a potential employer reads your cover letter and is intrigued, they will then read your resume. Your cover letter should not repeat your resume verbatim, but enhance it. Together the cover letter and resume can help land you an interview. Review our guide on cover letters for more information on how to construct one.
Interviewing
Most interviews will contain a mixture of resume based questions (questions about your past experience) and behavioral based questions (your ability to handle prospective situations at work. Most positions will begin with an interview that has a mix of these questions. Review our guide on common interview questions.
Preparation is extremely important for interviews. Research the company/organization, current and previous projects they’ve worked on, and even the people that you’re interviewing with. This will not only help provide talking points but will show your knowledge and genuine interest in the position. Utilize our resources on how to best prepare yourself to excel in your interview.
Online Resources
Explore:
- ND Sociology Department Career Information
- Research Opportunity Options for ND Sociology Majors
- Social Work Guide
- What Social Workers Do (Occupational Outlook Handbook - OOH)
- Social Worker Summary (OOH)
- Social Worker: skills, tasks, knowledge.. (O*net)
- Social Work Careers
- Social Work Careers Degree Levels
- Social Work Industry Guide
- Difference between a BSW degree and MSW degree
Professional Associations:
Blog/Podcasts:
Campus Resources
Meet with a counselor
Schedule an Appointment
Campus Organizations:
Employer Examples:
-
Various hospitals and healthcare systems throughout the country
- Northwestern
- University of Chicago
-
School systems
- Colorado Springs School System
-
Government agencies
- US Department of Veteran Affairs
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Companies
- Kaiser Permanente
Join Handshake:
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- Access to personalized job recommendations – This is based on major, career interests, and profile information such as skills and experiences. When students fill out their profile, they’ll be able to see jobs and internships that match their interests and skills.
- Ability to schedule one–on-one counseling appointments – Counseling appointments are able to be scheduled through Handshake and held virtually via Zoom.
- Ability to Interact with employers – Students can research contact information for local and national employers. Employers can also message students with opportunities and information.
- Connect with students across the country - Students can interact with their peers through messaging, get tips and advice, as well as network.
- Search for and apply to open positions - On Handshake, students can see jobs and internships posted specifically for them as well as employers actively recruiting from Notre Dame.