Publisher’s Thoughts

Dear Reader,

    In the social work profession, people are doing all kinds of creative things! Some of you may know that I am a musician and have studied music therapy and therapeutic music, in addition to social work. I started thinking about all the wonderfully creative ways that people do social work. So, in this issue, we begin to explore this idea with a look at how social workers are using hip-hop music and culture with at-risk youth and another article on using laughter to promote health and wellness! We will continue this focus on creative types of social work in the coming year.
    In this issue, we also look at ethics through a student’s use of an ethical decision-making model in Kevin Stanford’s article on page 4. This is followed by a look at “use of self” in field placement.
    Lyndal and Amanda continue their “What’s on Your Social Work Horizon” series with a look at creating YOUR purpose. In this third installment (see page 12), they talk about reaching out to people who you really admire. It’s such a simple and powerful idea—I wonder why people don’t do it more often than they do. Join us for an online chat to discuss this article on October 19, 9 p.m. EDT, at http://www.socialworkchat.org.
    Did anyone ever say to you, “I could never do what you do”? Well, jump right over to page 22 and read about Gary Weinstein’s take on this question. This is excellent writing about the skills and roles of a social worker.
    That term paper is due! What do I do? What is this thing called APA style? Karen Zgoda to the rescue! See page 28.
    Don’t forget—you can get continuing education credit for reading The New Social Worker! Just go to http://www.ceu4u.com/tnsw and you will automatically receive a 15% discount on ALL courses you take there.
    And if you are looking for a social work job, or looking to hire a social worker, check out our online job board at http://www.socialworkjobbank.com. We have a new look—check it out!
    Remember to visit us on Facebook, too, and be a fan of our page. See page 26 of this issue for information.
    Until next time—happy reading!

Linda Grobman, ACSW, LSW, Publisher/Editor

Features

Student Role Model: Katie Schmidt
In this issue, Barbara Trainin Blank provides a close-up look at Katie Schmidt, BSW student at Missouri State University.
by Barbara Trainin Blank
page 3

Ethics: Analysis of an Ethical Dilemma
Social work student Kevin Stanford uses a decision-making model, developed by Marian Mattison, to look at all sides of an ethical dilemma.
by Kevin Stanford
page 4

Field Placement: An Introduction to “Use of Self” in Field Placement    
When social work students learn interviewing skills, each student in a class is exposed to the same basic skill set. However, no student’s use of this skill set is exactly the same, because the skills are manifested through the individual student’s personality, relational skills, and developmental capacity.
by Heath B. Walters
page 8

What’s On Your Social Work Horizon? Creating YOUR Social Work Career, Phase 3: Creating Your Purpose
In this third installment of their 4-part series, Lyndal and Amanda help readers map out their areas of interest and take the initiative to contact colleagues they admire.
by Lyndal Greenslade and Amanda Vos
page 12

Opportunities for Students Outside of the Classroom
Bonnie Lee Camp shares ideas for getting experience outside of the classroom. Examples of such out-of-class opportunities can include service learning projects, volunteering, and field work.
by Bonnie Lee Camp
page 14

Social Work Around the Map: Give an Hour
Give an Hour is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop a national network of volunteer therapists capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions that arise within our society. Through Give an Hour, social workers are giving an hour of their time to counsel U.S. troops and their families.
by Mila Ruiz Tecala
page 14

Hip-Hop Social Work
Rap music, hip-hop, and social work may seem like an unlikely combination, but some social workers find hip-hop not only a possible but highly beneficial therapeutic tool in working with high-risk clients.
by Barbara Trainin Blank
page 16

Social Workers Are Laughing
Social workers are quickly discovering Laughter Yoga, a new body-mind fitness craze that is sweeping the world.
by Helen T. Whitley
page 19


I Could Never Do What You Do
Social workers often hear this: “They couldn’t pay me enough to do what you do!” Gary Weinstein, an emergency room social worker, takes us through some typical scenarios that occur in his day-to-day work.
by Gary Weinstein
page 22

Back-to-School Resolution: Avoid Common APA Mistakes
Your paper is due tomorrow! This semester, with the help of Karen Zgoda, you will finally master the intricate nuances of APA style. Karen tells us how to avoid six common mistakes.
by Karen Zgoda
page 28

Departments

Books    page 30
Classified Ads    page 32
Letter to the Editor    page 32