The Social Work Career Guidebook is a modern, realistic take on how to navigate the social work profession for current social work students, entry-level, and seasoned practitioners alike. From explanations of the nature of work at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels to various case studies, assessment tool examples, and overall guidelines, the text offers the blueprint for how to embark on your social work career journey and market the transferrable skills you possess, whether or not this is your first rodeo. In addition to the way the introduction of the text provides a brief summary of the book chapters, each individual chapter has an outline at the beginning that helps the reader to zero in on the objectives and action items ahead.
As we are often tasked with asking clients to reflect, this text prompts the reader to conduct multiple thorough self-assessments on a quest to explore career decision-making practices. As a nod to modernity, the text also includes tips for appropriate ways to use AI to enhance your professional materials and brand. There are practical examples for how to strengthen your résumé and prepare a cohesive self-marketing package. The importance of strengthening relationships is also highlighted, as emphasis is placed on identifying those who may serve as references, as well as how to forge connections via informational interviews.
In my opinion, the text is absolutely useful to social workers, no matter the area/scope of practice. Social work students and educators have the most to gain, as it can easily serve as a reference text, and the information has continuous, long-term application. The text not only provides initial guidance on how to prepare for the social work job search, but it extends into seeing the job search through, right down to negotiating and finalizing a job offer. Perfectly placed as the last chapter, the handbook closes with a focus on determining what your social work legacy can and will be.
The Social Work Career Guidebook is a thorough, easy-to-read text that can successfully supplement the work of a university career services office, tailored specifically for those majoring in social work.
Reviewed by Juliette Collins, LMSW, Practicum Coordinator, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.