Maria P. Aranda, MSW, PhD

Associate Professor, School of Social Work, University of Southern California, CA

“I get paid for learning something new every single day.”

A social worker is someone who embraces our Code of Ethics, has insight, demonstrates empathy, has the ability to tolerate ambiguity, exercises critical problem-solving skills, shows resourcefulness, and has the ability to collaborate.

Social work equals versatility. I wear many, many hats. I’m an educator, researcher, writer, mentor, clinician, supervisor, community advocate, and volunteer – just to name a few of the diverse facets of my career. It’s a value-laden profession based on the goal of enhancing human well-being with attention to the needs of vulnerable, oppressed, and poor people.

If you’re considering social work as a profession, talk to social workers from different walks of life and who practice in diverse occupational settings. Peruse foundation-level social work textbooks and syllabi. Visit professional social work websites and conferences.