8 Ways To Make the Most of Your Time as a Social Work Student

by Kara Thompson

   Being a student often means balancing a juggling act. We are bombarded with academic tasks, expectations, and requirements, as well as the additional responsibilities of life. Although it is true that some students go through their social work program completing just the minimum requirements to graduate, there are many opportunities students can take advantage of to succeed during their time at school. As social workers, we often encourage our clients to utilize available resources to better prepare themselves for the future; now it is time to practice what we preach. Do you want to be a student who completes the bare minimum just to get your degree? Or do you want to be the student who stands out in the interview above the rest and is well prepared for the future ahead?

    Here are eight tips to make the most of your time as a social work student.

1. Develop a relationship with a mentor.

    You are going to be required to take academic classes taught by multiple professors. These individuals are gateways of knowledge and experiences in the field of social work. Reach out to a faculty member who can help you to grow further as a student. It is important to give additional effort to build the relationship, such as visiting during office hours or learning about their professional experiences. They bring years of experience in the field, whether focusing on teaching, clinical work, research, or other areas. Learn from them. Even though their primary role may be teaching, often professors are still active part-time in the field. They can be a valuable resource to help prepare you for life after you graduate, so take advantage of the individuals who can share their experiences and expertise.

2. Get experience beyond your field placement.

     This tip may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s extremely important to keep in mind throughout your time as a social work student. Field placements and classes that specialize in service learning make it easy to gain volunteer experiences in your community. It is important to recognize that even though a volunteer experience may be required on the syllabus, there are other ways to turn this into a deeper learning experience. Keep in mind how the volunteering will contribute to making you a better social worker. It is likely that you may not know what population you want to work with after graduating from a social work program. As a student, try out new settings, even if you never considered them before. It is likely that your preferences will change throughout your time as a student and continue to change throughout your professional career. Gaining experience with different populations will help you to identify your preferences, as well as enhance your cultural competency.

3. Track your achievements.

    Start keeping track of all your student activities from your first year in college! Throughout your education, you are likely to be placed in different roles and experiences that will help you to grow in your career. Whether it’s being a leader of a committee, helping to organize a social work week, or giving a presentation to a university-wide or community audience, all of these roles help to broaden your experiences and skills. Not only will this give you the opportunity to self-reflect after graduation, but it will serve as a foundation for your résumé. Start a document or Excel file that you can easily update as you participate in different roles. This technique can also be adapted and used after graduation, continuing to keep track of leadership, awards, and more.

4. Continue your hobbies and take care of yourself.

    Self-care is a topic well known to social work students and social workers. It is important to make time for yourself. Consider your well-being when you feel overwhelmed with deadlines, upcoming exams, group meetings, and volunteer hours. Learn what you enjoy doing and how you can transform those hobbies in positive outlets. Burnout is common in the social work field, and it is imperative that both students and professionals participate in activities that give their lives joy and meaning. When performing the balancing act that many students face, make sure you keep your own happiness and well-being in mind.

5. Seek out research opportunities.

    Think about a population or topic that you are passionate about and conduct some research on it! There is no denying that having research experience is a huge asset to any résumé. Whether the research is done with a faculty member or independently, the experience will allow you to gain additional perspectives of the field. Utilizing your professors in this endeavor is an easy way to gain information about what opportunities exist. To take it one step further, look into professional research that has the possibility of becoming published. Having your name associated with professional publications will surely separate your résumé from others when you look for a job or apply to graduate schools.

6. Expand your learning beyond the required curriculum.

    You can broaden your student experience by seeking out classes that allow you to gain interdisciplinary knowledge. Do some research to see what relevant electives are offered at your school. Another way you can expand your learning is by participating in an independent study. Working with a faculty member, you can develop a curriculum of your own on a topic that most interests you. Want to practice grant writing? Seek out a faculty member to see if you can create an independent study allowing you to connect with a local agency to help formulate a grant application. This is a great way to earn additional credit hours, build rapport with a faculty member, network with a local agency, and expand your knowledge in a specific area of the social work field. Not to mention, having experience writing grants looks great to future employers or graduate schools.

7. Participate in professional development opportunities.

    Many colleges will make their social work students aware of relevant speakers or events that are taking place on campus. These events are great to participate in, and you can even do your research to see what else is offered in your community. It is common for counties to have service councils that provide great resources and workshops around common issues the community may be facing. Professional development workshops on topics such as “Trauma Informed Care” or “Mandated Reporting” may be offered at an agency near you. If you find that there is a fee associated with the program you are interested in, try contacting the host agency and your school to pursue financial aid opportunities. Joining professional organizations, such as the National Association of Social Workers (http://www.socialworkers.org) or Phi Alpha National Honor Society (http://phialpha.org), will also add to your student experience. Seeking out these opportunities not only increases the scope of your knowledge and learning, but allows you to build your network, connecting with other agencies or colleges.

8. Network, network, network!

    I am sure you have heard it before—we live in the age of networking. As a student, either undergraduate or graduate, you are surrounded by social workers! Through every experience, you will build relationships with other professionals. If you are searching for a job or applying to graduate schools, all of these opportunities will give you connections into the field. Initiate conversations and ask questions of the professionals you meet, especially if they are working in an area that interests you.

    Connecting with alumni from your university is another great way to network across the country. Long-time professionals in the field often love sharing their perspectives and experiences with dedicated social work students. Academia prepares you for your future career. Utilize all of the experiences you have had and connections you have made to your benefit.

Next Steps

    Whether you are looking for employment or for graduate school opportunities, it is important to start early. While this process may seem daunting, being aware of your options will allow you to evaluate the next steps you need to take. You will oftentimes find that you have begun preparing for the search from the first day you stepped into the classroom and now is the time to present all you have learned. Utilize your professors, fellow social work students, and college connections to get your foot into the door. By having conversations with professionals in the field and with your peers, you will be able to consider your options in advance and avoid the stress of a time-crunched application.

    Utilize these eight tips to make the most of your time as a social work student, and you will find that your future as a professional social worker will be better for it. Always be mindful of what you can do to make the best of your time as a social work student. It will serve you well into the future.

Kara Thompson is a graduate student at University of Illinois of Chicago Jane Addams College of Social Work working toward her MSW within the Child and Family concentration. She graduated in May from Miami University of Ohio with a degree in social work and a minor in family relationships. Kara is actively interning at a Chicago-land behavioral health hospital, taking on the role of a clinical therapist intern in the adolescent inpatient unit.