• Archive through August 02, 2000 August 02 2000 - 04:24 pm [3]

• Archive through August 23, 2001 August 23 2001 - 04:14 pm [2]

• Archive through April 23, 2003 April 23 2003 - 07:34 pm [4]

To Michele.
I have attended 6 colleges and Universities over 17 years. I am NOT the leading authority on which institution is better than another. A colleague in the UK really encouraged me to attend Michigan while another encouraged me to go to George Warren Brown.
What I can tell you is that you get what you put into it. Meet the professors. Find out how to network among them. Attend and become a member of NASW. Be active! Learn to communicate on a proffessional level with the Ph.D. level workers. You are a vital part of a growing and yet developing community.
Find out why you want to go to school and what you expect to get out of it. Then, figure out which insitution will offer what you want. For myself, I wish to have a quality field experience in a clinical setting that will equip me to serve my clients to the best of my ability.
Find a mentor. It does not have to be someone at the college you attend. It should be someone who is NOT there to just show simpathy for your areas of concern, but rather someone who will help you define and build upon your strengths! A mentor can make all the difference in your experience. Look for strengths in the program that you can utilize to help you to advance your personal growth. For example, I have some policy proposals I wish to write but being that policy is not one of my strengths, I have contacted a policy teacher at each of the places I applied and asked if they would assist me if I attend their institution. I have found support for this at Columbia.
Be careful, when asking opinions, to get a well rounded set of responses. Remember social statistics and how you need to have a valid grouping for your "survey." If one person can change your mind with their viewpoint, then you are in danger of the same with your clients!
You are a valuable person just in that you have been accepted to the Placements to which you applied.
I wish you all the best. If you attend CUSSW and wish to visit further, let me know at williamjgrove@yahoo.com. We can meet in a neutral location or just visit via email. (I will not meet in private living quarters unless accompanied.)
Best Regards,
William J. Grove, LBSW

Hello All. As stated above, I am an incoming Graduate student entering in Fall 2004. I have chosen to focus on clinical work with children and families. I would like to propose to other students a discussion group during the 2004-2005 academic year on a variety of subjects, to be chosen by the group. My hope is that by being part of such a group will encourage growth as well as help to establish a sense of community.
If you are interested in doing so or should you have another idea, I would love to hear it.
Best regards.
William J. Grove, LBSW

Hi William, will you be attending CUSSW next Fall? me too! There are others on another section on this forum, "Does it Matter which Grad Program you go to". Also, I would definetly be interested in your discussion group. If you need help getting the ball rolling let me know. I want to be very involved at CUSSW.

Cheryl,
Hello. I begin in August and have no idea where I will live or what type of financial aid I will have. I am an LBSW in Texas and have only been a social worker since January 2003.
What I am hoping will happen with a discussion group is that people will feel comfortable about sharing their religious beliefs, moral and ethical values, personal concerns about society, etc. I believe that by learning about others, we will be better equippped to serve our clients.
I would also love for a group to crate a policy paper or other work to be published. As a social work student at Texas Woman's University, we are taught of the importance of policy writing and social action to improve the condition of society. It will also help us to advance in our career. If anyone else wishes to be involved, please let me know.
What I am hoping will NOT happen is to become a group who stagnates or becomes hostile towards others in the group. This should not be a competition among VOLUNTEER participants. You offer what you have. If it doesn't work, then it doesn't work.
I welcome any assistance in crating such a group. This would NOT be my group but rather a group getting together with the intention of growth.
Well, This is my perspective. Please feel free to offer others.
Best regards.
William J. Grove, LBSW