Students going into a career in Social Work care about people, want to make a difference, and want to relieve suffering and advocate for social justice. The Social Work major helps students to improve the quality of the lives of people, develop leadership, and promote justice within society. The goals of the comprehensive Social Work major at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire is to prepare social workers for practice as well as graduate studies and to prepare students to work with diverse populations. This allows Social Work graduates to work in a variety of settings like individual and family social services, residential care, medical and psychiatric care facilities, schools, job training and related services, and in advocacy and community development groups. Social Work is an excellent choice for students who want to work in varied environments, have a variety of opportunities within their career, and work to better society.
What will I learn from studying Social Work?
Knowledge:
Social Work majors draw on knowledge from psychology, sociology, and anthropology. They gain a working knowledge of public policy, government, and the justice system as well as knowledge of management, administration, and customer and personal service. Graduates receive education and training in interviewing and assessment.
Skills:
- Social perceptiveness
- Effective speaking and active listening
- Problem identification and information gathering and problem solving
- Reading comprehension and writing
- Critical thinking
- Counseling skills and empowerment of clients
What are some of the interests and values related to Social Work?
- Sensitivity to the needs of others
- Ability to meet challenges effectively
- Achievement
- Integrity and ethical conduct
- Competence
- Independence
- Patience and tolerance
- Respect for and treasuring of diversity
- Central importance of human relationships
- Advocacy for social justice
What are related student and professional organizations?
Student:
- Association of Student Social Workers
- Phi Alpha
- National Association of Social Workers
Professional:
- National Association of Social Workers
- Clinical Social Work Federation
- American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy
What career fields are related to Social Work?
Potential Employers:
Social work graduates can use their education in a variety of fields. In many cases, their positions closely relate to their personal career interests, work values, and transferable skills. Employers of social work graduates can include adoption/foster care agencies, correctional institutions, youth organizations, mental health institutions, nursing homes, school systems, and substance abuse programs to name a few.
Potential Job Titles :
- Community Social Worker
- Case Manager
- Child Welfare Worker
- School Social Worker
- Clinical Social Worker
- Public Health Social Worker
- Occupational Social Worker
- Geriatric Social Worker
What are some jobs held by UW – Eau Claire Social Work graduates?
- Youth and Family Director , YMCA, Milwaukee, WI
- Social Worker , Burnett County Department of Human Services, Spooner, WI
- Graduate Student , University of Wisconsin – Madison, WI
- Team Leader , Xcel Energy, Eau Claire, WI
- Access Worker , Barron County Department of Health and Human Services, Chetek, WI
- Casework Director , Northwest Passage, Ltd., Frederic, WI
How can I learn more about Social Work?
Department
- Contact someone in UW – Eau Claire’s Dept. of Social Work
- Human Sciences and Services 253, 836-4435
Career Services:
- Meet with a career counselor
- Take interest inventories and self-assessment tests
- Ask An Alum & Friends, a database of UW – Eau Claire Alumni & Friends available for informational interviewing
Career Discovery Center:
- Careers for Good Samaritans & Other Humanitarian Types , Marjorie Eberts and Margaret Gisler
- Opportunities in Social Work Careers , Renee Wittenberg
- Real People Working in the Helping Professions , Blythe Camenson
- Careers in Social and Rehabilitation Services , Geraldine, O. Garner
- 100 Jobs in Social Change , Macmillan
- Careers in Social Work , Leon H. Ginsberg
- Careers for Caring People & Other Sensitive Types , Adrian Paradis
Internet:
What are some opportunities for experiential learning in Social Work?
Internship
Internships are a way to gain hands-on experience in a position that interests you as a potential career. To find an internship in Social Work that suites your interests, visit Career Services (Schofield 230) and speak with a Career Associate about the many available internships. Contact your advisor or the Social Work department chair about enrolling in SW 481 to obtain academic credit for your internship.
Directed Studies or Independent Study Class
By participating in an Independent or Directed Studies course, students will be able to research an area that they find particularly interesting. Contact your advisor about enrolling in SW 395, 399 or 499.
Service Learning
Students must take the class SW 188, Volunteer Services, competing the 30 hours of volunteer service, to meet the university service learning requirements.