We have redesigned the site to highlight the great contributions social workers make in communities, within families and in the lives of  people’s  everyday.

We have also added an interactive community feature which allows social workers and prospective students to discuss the countless ways social workers can make a difference in the world.

Explore the new site and let us know what you think!

As a community organizer or advocate, you inspire people and mobilize resources to bring about social change. Community organizers champion the rights of individuals and communities by securing direct services and empowering others to improve their lives.

As a legislator or policymaker, you help ensure social justice by influencing policies and legislation on everything from equal opportunities in the workplace to criminal justice. You should have an interest in politics and ability to speak up for what you believe is right.

Educators and researchers investigate and develop new methods of practicing social work and/or teaching social work to others. Researchers study human behavior and apply their problem-solving skills in a scientific and systematic manner. Teachers must be able to provide information in a way that is clear and meaningful.

Managers and administrators are responsible for developing programs and policies within an agency or organization. This type of social work requires good analytical and decision-making skills to weigh out options and decide the best course of action. You must also be able to see a program or policy through from start to finish.

Clinicians or direct service providers work closely with individuals, groups and families helping them address challenges and setbacks. These issues can range from physical disabilities or emotional problems to career and financial difficulties. This type of social work puts an emphasis on evaluating and treating clients in the context of their environment.

Social work must come from the heart. It’s the ability to make respectful change with a positive mindset.

As a MSW and PhD, I enjoy the interplay of clinical work and program evaluation. As a clinician, I enjoy working with clients, families, and communities. This combination of degrees allows me work with people in a scientific way.

It’s a great day when you feel change. Change is felt in various ways: when a client makes positive progress and is thankful; when a family is talking in good ways and sends you a card of hope; when a community changes their programming based on an evaluation. The best day in my career was when my tribe, the Seneca Nation of Indians, hired our firm to provide EAP services for the Nation’s employees and families.

I knew I wanted to do something that helped people. I took a job working with communities that wanted to improve the health of their citizens, fell in love with it and haven’t looked back. I love being able to help a whole community work toward their own goals and improve so many lives at once!

As a teacher, it’s exciting when a student has a moment of understanding, a community project is successful, or when someone asks me to help because I am the “Social Worker.” It was especially rewarding when a professor was looking for a clinical faculty member to coordinate a program and called me, remembering my passion for education.

I tell my students all the time that the best reason to be a social worker is because we get paid to help people improve their lives and the world.

I chose community organizing because I wanted to put myself outside of my comfort zone. I wanted to learn something new and interesting.

What I have enjoyed most about being a social worker is working at Hamilton-Madison House (HMH), which is one of the 35 settlement houses in New York City. Each day at work is not just a job, but a mission. It’s great to know that we live in a country that allows us to practice social work so that we can improve the welfare of the people and our community.

I always think that we need to remember the saying, “Think globally and act locally.” Social workers can apply this in almost everything we do and use it to guide their decisions.

I believe my area of practice chose me. After several years of working with emotionally disturbed children and delinquent teens, I was afforded a wonderful opportunity to serve adults and geriatrics at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs.

Social work takes someone who is self-aware, emotionally mature, respectful, accepting of differences and sensitive to others’ needs and problems. It is also important for social workers to be able to communicate effectively and demonstrate empathy.

The MSW degree taught me the art of listening and the importance of a thorough assessment. I draw upon my social work training to communicate effectively with my colleagues, my superiors and our stakeholders.