Are you a new social worker or current student of social work, with a focus in clinical practice, looking for some career guidance?
As a recent graduate who is interested in continuous learning and growth, this was of interest to me and I thought it would be of great value to you as well.
Therefore, I reached out to Nancy Smyth, Ph.D., LCSW and Dean of the University at Buffalo’s School of Social Work and she kindly agreed to provide us with some valuable career advice in an interview.
Below is an infographic summarizing ten of Nancy’s most important tips for current clinical social work students or recent graduates.
However, please make sure to check out the detailed interview with Nancy to gain more career insights, as well as to learn about some of her experiences and learnings with employing virtual reality and second life within the mental health arena in the comments section of that post.
10 Social Work Career Tips
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What are your thoughts? Does this make sense in light of your experience out there in the field? Do you have any learnings you’d like to share?
Dorlee, what a creative way to summarize an interview! I truly laughed out loud, after I saw what you did. At first, I was confused, until I clicked through and read your whole post, becauseI had no memory of listing key skills in any place recently.
The only qualification I would add to this is that my focus was clinical social work, not macro social work. Some of the skills would still apply, but not all, to Macro practice.
Thanks so much for such a creative post, and also for the kind shout out about my blog.
Nancy,
I’m so glad you enjoyed my revival of your past interview. Initially, I started out with the idea of just adding the infographic to your interview but then once I had completed the infographic, I changed my mind and decided to have it stand on its own and provide people with a link to the full interview.
Everything you advised when I had interviewed you holds true today but now there is much more of a reliance on visual cues and this infographic relays in a quick snapshot some of your wonderful gems.
Re your qualification, I will change the title to accommodate this. You’re right, this guidance is primarily geared towards clinical practice. May I have the honor of following up with you regarding a part two interview in which I ask you some questions regarding macro social work?
Wonderful advice. And I love the graphic as well. I will definitely share this with my colleagues. Thanks!
Hi Sharon,
Thanks so much for your kind feedback and for planning to share this post with your colleagues!
Best,
Dorlee
very bright idea i like it and i a sure you that evary social worker helping individual need the skills for social and economic well-being of our communities.
Thanks, Abotto!
This is so helpful! It is so easy to become discouraged after grad school! So to read that the MSW is truly only the beginning is like a little kick start, motivating factor to get back on track.