WEEK1 DISCUSSION: SOCIAL WORK HISTORY, MISSION, AND YOUR ROLE

Chapter 1: THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION

Learning Objectives After reading this chapter, you should be able to

1. Describe the work, goals, and values of social workers.

2. Explain the importance of diversity and advocacy in social work.

3. Appreciate the dynamic nature and roles of the social work profession.

4. Understand educational and practice options for social workers.

5. Compare a social work career to other human services occupations.

Mary Considers Social Work While in high school, Mary volunteered at a vibrant day care center and a state-of-the-art long-term

care facility. She loved working with the diverse people in both facilities and realized that she was

a good listener, doer, and advocate for them. Mary's school counselor told her that she might make

use of her newly discovered skills by becoming a social worker, a versatile "helping" career.

Mary has begun surfing the Internet and checking other resources, and has learned that with

a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) she could work as a generalist practitioner or apply

to an advanced-standing master of social work (MSW) program and quickly become either an

advanced generalist or a specialist. Mary has also explored the online website for the Board of

Social Work regulations in her state. Once she receives her BSW degree, she plans to send the

board her transcripts so she may be credentialed. MSW-prepared social workers can work in

a wide range of specialty fields of practice, such as hospice, veterans services, and behavioral

health. They can work in commun ity-based settings; various types of institutions; state, federal, or

local agencies; international disaster relief organizations; or political action campaig ns.

Mary feels confident that she would enjoy social work, a field where she could advocate for

people and causes, help develop policies, and provide services and resources to people who

really need them. As a student, you may be wondering which career might best suit your personal

values and the life you envision for yourself. Social work is a versatile and worthy profession to

consider. Integrity, decency, honesty, and justice are values held in high regard by social work

professionals. If you decide to become a social worker, you will also join a field that provides

considerable career mobility and opportunity.

Social work is a helping profession, similar to counseling, psychology, and other human services.

Social work is different, though, and will likely interest you if you care especially about economic, social,

and environmental justice and wish to advocate for individuals, groups, families, organizations, and

communities that face disadvantages. To help these groups, social workers require an understanding

of politics and power, and the ability to assess human needs and the environment.

This chapter introduces the goals, competencies, and responsibilities of the 21st century

social worker. It describes social work's core values, roles, fields of practice, career paths, and

employment opportunities to help you decide if the profession of social work is right for you.

4 PART 1 Soci::.i.i

THE PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKER Social work is categorized as a profession because it requires

specialized, formal training and certification. Some of the other

professions include law, medicine, accounting, teaching, and

counseling. However, social work's unique purpose is to infuse

change into the lives of individuals and into the community to

reduce or eradicate the ill effects of personal distress and social inequality (Soydan, 2008).

Professional social workers generally graduate from a

department, program, or school of social work with either a bach­

elor's or master's degree (or perhaps a doctorate) in social work.

Although some social work jobs do not require certification, a

professional social worker is generally considered to be someone

who has received a social work degree and become certified or

licensed by the state in which he or she practices.

Many social workers have achieved historical prominence,

such as social work pioneer Jane Addams (who won a Nobel

Peace Prize in 1931 ), civil rights activist Dr. Dorothy I. Height,

and Frances Perkins (the first woman to serve as a cabinet mem­

ber, as secretary of labor in 1933 ). Social work pioneer Del Ander­

son transformed veterans services, Bernice Harper led hospice

social work, Joan 0. Weiss helped establish the field of genetic

counseling, and Dale Masi developed the employee-assistance

field (Clark. 2012).

Social work professor and researcher Dr. Brene Brown has

become quite successful as a "public" social worker, offering the

profession's perspective through books, television interviews, and

on line talks about shame. vulnerability, and courage. Others with

social work degrees who have brought the profession's perspec­

tive to diverse careers include actor Samuel L. Jackson, writer

Alice Walker, and personal finance guru Suze Orman. Their liberal

arts-based social work education was a liberating experience that

has served as the foundation for their life's work.

SOCIAL WORK'S UNIQUE PURPOSE AND GOALS Throughout history, what human beings have seemed to need

most are resources for survival as well as a sense that they matter.

Beyond feeling secure and accepted for who they are, people also

hope to live a meaningful, healthy, and successful life. These are

the central concerns of social workers. Their professional role

is to help people secure the basic human needs, rights, and values: food, water, shelter, and such intangible resources as

emotional, economic. and social support. The purpose of professional social work has been articu­

lated formally by the National Association of Social Work­ ers (NASW}, the voice for the profession (NASW, 1973,

pp. 4-5: 2018):

Social work is the professional activity of helping indi­

viduals, groups, or communities enhance or restore

their capacity for social functioning and creating societal

conditions favorable to this goal. Social work practice

consists of the professional application of social work

values, principles, and techniques to one or more of the

following ends:

• Helping people obtain tangible services (e.g,

income, housing, food)

• Providing counseling and interventions with individ­ uals, families, and groups

• Helping communities or groups provide or improve

social and health services

• Participating in relevant legislative processes

The NASW considers social work an applied science and art

that helps people who are struggling to function better in their

world and that effects societal changes to enhance everyone's

well-being.

NASW describes four major goals for social work practi­

tioners. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the arbiter of social work education, adds another goal that relates

to social work education. These goals are presented in Exhibit 1.1.

The general public often confuses social workers with other

human service providers, among them school counselors, mental

health counselors, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, public health

workers and administrators, nurses, chaplains, and police or oth­

ers involved in criminal justice and corrections. While the roles

and settings for some of these occupations overlap, each has dis­

tinctive features, perspectives, methods, and areas of expertise.

(See Exhibit 1.2 for more detail on the similarities and differences

between social work and some of these other occupations.) But

social workers incorporate the knowledge and skills of these

other occupations as needed to serve clients and communities.

They are not limited to a single perspective or set of methodol­

ogies. Thus. at the undergraduate level social workers are called

generalist practitioners.

SOCIAL WORK AND HUMAN DIVERSITY In helping and advocating for people in need, social workers

inevitably learn about and interact with people from a variety of

backgrounds. Many social workers would argue that one of the

most interesting and rewarding aspects of their career is the ability

to expand their knowledge and appreciation of human diversity. They have an opportunity to learn about the strengths, needs,

uniqueness, values, causes, and traditions associated with various

forms of human difference. Consider how much you like hearing

people's life stories. When you hear people's life stories, you get

clues as to what they need, value, and dream about.

5 The Social Work Profession Chapter 1

SOCIAL WORK IN ACTION Dr. Brene Brown Speaks Out

DR. BRENE BROWN has a BSW, MSW, and doctorate in

social work and serves as a professor and researcher at the

University of Houston's Graduate College of Social Work. She

is also a storyteller. Dr. Brown has authored a #1 New York Times best seller titled Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent,

and Lead (2012), another NYT best seller titled The Gifts of

Imperfection (2010), and I Thought It Was Just Me (2007).

For the past decade she has also delivered national presenta­

tions on the concepts of courage, vu lnerability, worthiness, and

shame. Her work has been featured on Oprah, PBS, CNN, and

NPR. In 2012, Dr. Brown gave a TEDx talk in Houston, Texas,

on the power of vulnerability; more than 12 million people have

watched this talk. (TED stands for Technology, Entertainment,

Design; TEDx talks are modeled on TED talks, which feature

engaging presentat ions by experts on a wide variety of topics,

but are organized independently.) She is also the founder of The

Daring Way, a training program for helping professionals who

wish to implement her findings on courage, shame, vu lnerability,

and worthiness in their own work.

In her YouTube clips on the "Power of Vulnerability" and

"Listening to Shame," Dr. Brown discusses how social workers

are called to "lean into the discomfort" and establish meaningful

connections with people.

Brown concludes from her qualitative research that "vulnerability

is not weakness"; vulnerability requires "emotional risk, exposure,

uncertainty, and fuels our lives." Essentially, vulnerability is our most

accurate measure of courage: "Innovation, creativity, and change is the birth place of vulnerability."

In her clip about shame, she concludes that, although shame

is not guilt, it is highly correlated with such behaviors as addiction,

depression, suicide, and eating disorders.

A Shame manifests differently in women and men. for example. women often

experience shame due to unobtainable or conflicting expectations. In comparison,

men often experience shame when they think they are being perceived as weak.

Dr. Brown exemplifies how a social work education can propel

you into a many-faceted future. She is teaching social work students

and the wider world about social work theory and methods.

Dr. Brown's stories about courage, shame, worthiness, forgiveness,

and vulnerability resonate with many. Now they are also adding

richness to a social worker's tool kit.

1. How do Dr. Brown's ideas and stories help professional

social workers eradicate personal distress and social

inequality?

2. Consider how vulnerability makes you feel. What role might

empathy play for social workers who counsel people who feel

vulnerable?

Clients and collaborators are often quite different from social workers in some significant ways. A person's life expe­ riences and circumstances can influence how other people

and situations are perceived. What social workers believe is

true depends on their personal values and belief systems. Like everyone else, they are influenced by family, spiritual beliefs, culture, norms, race and ethnicity, gender and sexual orien­

tation, as well as life stage, socioeconomic status, ability, and disability.

However, social workers go to considerable lengths to

broaden their perspectives. They increase their self-understanding

by reading and taking classes (in the arts and humanities as well as on subjects such as psychology, sociology, sexuality, biology, neuroscience, and gerontology), learning foreign languages,

engaging in personal therapy, participating in self-reflection,

and receiving professional supervision and feedback (Green, Kiernan-Stern, & Baskind, 2005). Through seeking this type of self-knowledge. trained social workers are likely to become

sensitized to the differences among people. They become better at appreciating other viewpoints and at developing and evaluat­ ing more creative policies and intervention strategies (Karger &

Stoesz, 2014; Stoesz & Karger, 2009).

6 PART 1 Understanding Social Work

EXHIBIT t.f Professional Social Workers' Goals

Professional Goal Social Workers' Roles

Goal 1 (Practice)

To enhance people's coping, problem-solving, and developmental capacities

Facilitators who "meet people where they are" and assess clients' environments

Coaches, counselors, educators, trainers, and culturally competent solution-focused guides

Goal 2 (Practice)

To link people with systems that provide opportunities, resources, and services

Brokers who help build relationships between clients and service systems

Social media collaborators who help clients connect with their environment

Goal3 (Practice)

To promote the effectiveness and humane operation of systems that provide people with resources and services

Advocates for cases and causes, who consider socioeconomic, political, and other contexts, and who focus on the available resources for serving people

Administrative supervisors who oversee staff and ensure that services are delivered efficiently and effectively

Consultants who guide community organizations and agencies by identifying strategies to expand and enhance services

Coordinators and liaisons who enhance communication and coordination among social and human service resources to improve service delivery, and who link an agency or program to other agencies and organizations

Program developers and evaluators who design and evaluate programs or technologies to meet social needs

Goal4 (Practice)

To develop and improve social policy

Activists or advocates who concentrate on the staMes, laws, and broader social policies that underlie the funding and provision of resources

Policy practice analysts, developers, and planners

Goal 5 (Education)

To promote human and community well-being

Activists who use education, research, and service delivery to alleviate oppression, poverty, and other social and economic injustices

Source: Adapted from Zastrow (2014, pp. 50-51) from primary sites. Goals 1-4 from NASW (1982, p. 17); Goal 5 from CSWE (2008).

EXHIBIT t,2 Comparison of Social Work and Similar Occupations

- ~Discipline and Similar

Occupations Similarities to Social Work

Psychology: Study of behavior and mental processes; application of that knowledge to the evaluation and treatment of mental disorder

Psychotherapists

Psychologists (PsyD or PhD doctoral preparation)

Psychiatrists (MD; physicians with an advanced specialty)

Counseling: Practice of meeting with, listening to, and guiding individuals and groups with mental health, social adjustment, and relationship problems

Therapists

Marriage counselors

Family therapists

Is a practice profession

Requires accreditation and postdegree supervision

Requires graduate-level training for counseling clients (as psychotherapists)

Can conduct psychotherapy

Works in some of the same settings, with many of the same clients

Is a practice profession

Requires a graduate degree

Requires licenses and certifications

Engages in psychotherapy

Is not allowed to prescribe medications

Works in some of the same settings, with many of the same clients

-

Differences From Social Work

Requires PhD or PsyD degree for practice

Requires 2 years of supervised work experience before independent practice

Focuses on client's psychological issues

Administers psychological tests

In some states, is allowed to prescribe medications

MD training/degree is required for psychiatrists

Focuses mostly on the individual as a problem requiring assessment and intervention

Is not typically trained in community practice (advocacy, organizing)

Requires a graduate degree for practice

7

I

The Social Work Profession Chapter 1

Discipline and Similar Occupations

Sociology: Study of characteristics and interactions of populations

Sociologists (PhD)

Nursing: Practice of caring for the physical and mental health of individuals, families, and communities to optimize quality of life

Nurses (BSN, MSN, FNP, DNP)

Criminal Justice: Practice of facilitating law

I

Similarities to Social Work Differences From Social Work

Studies patterns of human behavior, especially origins of that behavior and societal development

Shares interests in human diversity and oppression

Is a social science, not a practice profession

Examines people's patterns and community's contexts

ls a practice profession

Has a caring/helping focus

ls practiced in hospitals, clinics, and so forth

Offers RN and LPN designations denoting responsibilities and authority

Focuses on health and well-being

Has a practice orientation Requires a BS in criminal justice or human servicesenforcement, operating the court system, and

Works in some of the same settings, with manyinvestigating and preventing criminal behavior Focuses on the law and social order

Law enforcement and correction officers of the same clients

Shares concerns about individuals and families Supports authority structures

Has a limited focus on the individual's environment

Has a practice orientation Requires a BS in public health epidemiological and environmental health trends Public health: Practice of researching

Requires training in epidemiology, biostatistics, Focuses on groups and communitiesand protecting the health of populations and health policy and administration

Practices in health clinics and community-based Public health clinicians, researchers, and Focuses on health and the physical environmentsettingsofficers

If you are contemplating social work as a career, you must look within and evaluate your readiness to advocate for the typical social work client, who is vulnerable and possibly affected by social injustice. You will also be required to respond to human needs very creatively, because resource availability and funding usually fall short of the need, although they vary across

communities, regions, and states.

TIME TO THINK 1.1 How well do you think you know yourself? Do you believe you

have empathy for others who do not have your privileges?

What elements of your background might give you empathy

for those whose human needs are not being met? Are you

aware of how others perceive you and how you come across

to others?

Diversity and Social Justice As rewarding as the experience of human diversity can be, it can be troubling as well. Those who are different from the types of people with whom we are most familiar are often stereotyped as being inferior in some way. That prejudiced attitude may lead to actual discrimination in the way those who are "different" are treated. They may have a deprived and constrained childhood,

struggle to meet their needs as they age, and feel a reduced

sense of self-worth. Professional social workers are aware of this discrepancy and work toward economic and social justice, the fair distribution of rights and resources among all members of society.

The bases for prejudice and discrimination, which are dis­ cussed throughout the book, include the following categories

of difference:

• Class: An appreciable number of social work clients are marginally employable because of low educational attainment and spotty work records. As a result, they are often stuck in poverty. The jobs that are available to them generally pay poorly, and so these clients may still struggle with transportation issues, affordable day care, mental health issues, physical challenges, and affordable health insurance. Since the beginning of the profession, social workers have advocated for services and programs for members of the lower classes who need support for a rewarding family life, stable housing, adequate nutrition, educational opportunity, and employability. Social workers

recognize that use of public assistance is not simply a matter of personal shortcomings. Large-scale issues within the community or society as awhole (e.g., a shortage of

good jobs, inadequate transportation systems, substan­ dard schools, minimal child-support enforcement, or lack of quality, affordable day care) also undermine a person's

efforts to advance in life (Seccombe, 2011, p. 74).

8 PART 1 Understanding Social Work

• Gender: Although women have made important strides in our society, they still face lingering and highly ingrained gender stereotypes, which are overgeneralizations about behaviors and characteristics based on whether a person is masculine/male or feminine/female. Social workers partner with women's rights groups, educa­ tors, and other helping professionals to advocate for and develop positive and meaningful services and programs for females, especially in education, employment, repro­ ductive services, child care, and civil rights.

• Race: Race is still an issue in the United States, despite decades of social action and legislative and judicial reme­ dies. Thus, opportunities to promote diversity and social justice for Americans with African, Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, or Native American heritage are an important part of social work practice. Social workers who have gained cultural competence effectively help Bos­ nian refugees find employment and enroll in ESL (English as a second language) classes, and advocate for Latino clients who have a mental illness such as schizophrenia to help them avoid repeated hospitalizations because of lan­ guage barriers and cultural misunderstandings. By 20S0, the U.S. population is expected to increase by SO%, and minority groups will make up nearly half that population. One quarter of Americans will be Latino, and I in IO Americans will be of Asian or Pacific Islander descent. The African American population is projected to increase from 41.1 million to 65.7 million by 20S0, going from 14% of the U.S. population to I5% ("Minorities Expected to Be Majority in 20S0," 2008).

• Ethnicity: Many people adhere to at least some of the tra­ ditions and beliefs of their ancestors. In a "nation of immi­ grants," many ethnic subcultures can be found. However, ethnocentrism, believing that one's own ethnic group and way of life are superior to others, can create intoler­ ance and prejudice. In contrast, social workers promote respect for and understanding of all ethnic groups and cultures. For example, social workers frequently support ethnic centers, immigrant enterprises, language diversity, and cultural events that showcase ethnic pride and pro­ vide a forum for the public to learn about specific ethnic values and traditions. And well they should: By 20S0, immigration will account for almost two thirds of the nation's population growth.

• Sexual orientation: In recent years, members of the LGBQT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning, and transgender) community have become far more visible in the process of winning some degree of social justice for themselves. They have won the right in most parts of the United States to marry members of the same sex. It is becoming

more acceptable in most quarters for LGBQT persons

to be themselves, although discriminatory behavior and interpersonal slights have not disappeared. Social workers counsel LGBQT individuals facing prejudice, and convene groups with them to discuss ways to cope with both sub­ tle and aggressive discrimination. Social workers may also advocate for the LGBQT population on a community, state, or national level.

• Age: Older adults, who are ostensibly covered for many of their basic needs through Medicare and Social Secu­ rity, often struggle with fixed incomes, health problems, and loneliness. Services such as home-delivered meals, transportation, and medical coverage for problems of aging may be underfunded or unavailable for practical reasons. Being acquainted with older adults and attentive to their specific needs enables professional social work­ ers to improve older adults' situation. As the population of older adults grows in the 21st century-by 20S0, the population of older Americans (ages SO+) is expected to more than double-social workers will find themselves more and more challenged to help ensure "good aging" (Cire, 2014; Lieberman, 2011. p. 137).

Historically, social workers have advocated for justice and human rights for all people, despite their age, ability, class. race or ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation. Social workers must challenge "isms"-such as ageism, ableism, class ism, ethnocen­ trism, heterosexism, and sexism-as they advocate for vulnerable individuals and groups. However, because social workers are mere humans, mainstream culture influences their views of people and issues. Social workers are not immune to discriminatory language or "isms," so if you choose social work as your career, you must catch yourself and others when you hear language or see behavior that is ageist, classist, racist, sexist, or prejudicial or discriminatory in any way.

Intersections of Diversity

Social workers typically encounter multiple forms of diversity in a single individual. For instance, a woman experiencing a physical or mental challenge may also be old and poor. Holes in medical coverage (gaps in the combined coverage she receives from pri­ vate insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid) may leave her without needed treatment and medications. The ever-changing complexity of medical protocols and health insurance coverage further com­ plicate matters. In turn, the medical issues are an impediment to older, poorer people's ability to make doctors' appointments, keep themselves and their homes clean and in good repair, and buy

medicine or even healthy food. On a regular basis, social work­ ers find themselves creatively seeking to identify and fill gaps in services for clients with needs that span categories of difference.

9 The Socia! Work Profession Chapter 1

lntersectionality refers to the entirety of aperson's dimen­

sions of difference and social identities. Most diversity includes a

complex range or intersection of issues, not simply one. A person may be a poor, old, white. gay. Jewish man who was born with polio and lives in an urban environment. Or a person may be a

single, middle-aged, Christian woman who emigrated from India

and works as a nurse in a rural setting. Some of those areas of difference may create problems in meet­

ing one's human needs, but others may create advantages. For example, a man who is a retired middle manager has undoubtedly enjoyed some of the privileges of gender and class, but if he is also gay or lives with adisability, he may have faced difficulties in his life that require access to social services. His multiple social locations have sometimes placed him in the role of being the oppressed and sometimes the oppressor Uani, Pierce, Ortiz, & Sowbel, 20 I I).

As a social worker you must understand the complex inter­ relationships that exist across all social identities so you can devise strategies that will make a difference and create social

change (Adams & Joshi, 20 IO; Collins. 20 I0). Keep in mind that people are more than "labels" or any of their categories

of difference.

THEORY AND PRACTICE You may be starting to realize how complex the practice of

social work can be. It requires knowledge of human develop­ ment and behavior; of social, economic. and cultural institu­ tions: and of the interaction of all these factors. The social work profession not only provides this knowledge but also educates its members to be proactive advocates for client systems. The essential lessons for aspiring social workers involve both theory

and practice skills. Social workers draw on ideas and theories to guide their

assessments and intervention decisions. These perspectives

emphasize the importance of resilience, strengths, solutions, social justice, and safe, sustainable communities. Professional social workers tend to adopt a primary practice theory that fits their views about human nature, particularly for the purpose of assessing a client, a situation, and the results of efforts to make

changes. Chapter 3 describes these theoretical foundations in

more detail.

In addition, many social workers are committed to evidence­ based practice, which is , simply stated, using a particular inter­ vention for an issue, problem, or disorder based on the results of research. They base their methods on the results of previous stud­ ies, because they need to be accountable to clients and third-party payers (such as insurance companies). In addition, they want to

use best practices as documented in their profession's knowledge base. Social workers are obligated to ask themselves, "What evi­ dence do I have that my proposed idea or intervention will help

my client?" Your reasoning skills will be enhanced by taking classes in research methods, policy, and statistics.

The knowledge base for social work is constantly evolving

to match developments in other disciplines. Contemporary social workers embrace technology and neuroscience (Farmer, 2009).

Environmental social work (Gray, Coates, & Hetherington, 2012)

and models for social work in asustainable world (Mary, 2008) now

provide additional ideas and paradigms for social work professionals.

SOCIAL WORK VALUES The mission of the social work profession is rooted in aset of core values that undergird social work's unique purpose and perspec­ tive (Barker, 2014, p. 190; Reisch, 2002):

• Competence: Having the needed abilities and skills to effectively help and work with clients

• Dignity and worth of the person: Esteeming and appreci­ ating each individual's uniqueness and value

• Importance of human relationships: Interacting and com­ municating with clients and collaborators with adynamic and reciprocal appreciation of one another's behaviors,

thoughts, and feelings • Integrity: Maintaining trustworthiness and adhering to

moral ideals • Service: Providing help, benefits, and resources to people

so they can maximize their potential and thrive • Socia/justice: Granting all citizens the same "rights, pro­

tections, opportunities, obligations, and social benefits," no matter their backgrounds or memberships in diverse groups (Barker, 2014. pp. 398-399)

The NASW Code of Ethics Social work values are reflected in the NASW Code of Ethics, which serves as a social and moral compass for social work professionals. This code has four sections-Prea mble, Purpose, Ethical Principles, and Ethical Standards-which are summa­ rized in Appendix A of this book. The Code of Ethics serves six

purposes (NASW, 2018) :

• Identifies core social work values

• Summarizes broad ethical standards • Identifies professional obligations when conflicts arise • Holds the social work profession accountable • Socializes new practitioners to social work's mission, val­

ues, ethical standards, and principles • Defines unethical conduct

Ethical decision making is a process. Oftentimes. social workers struggle with complex scenarios, and the guidelines

Use of Self

Once students declare they will major in social work, they can expect to do internships or

nonpaid fieldwork. Heath Walters (2017) introduces readers to the importance of bringing

their personality in to their social work practice in his article published in The New Social Worker (http://www.socialworker.com/featu re-articles/field-placement/An_l ntrod uction_to_Use_

of_Self_in_Field_Placement/).The term use of self often confuses beginning students. In a nutshell , this

concept means you are combining knowledge, values, and skills gained in social work education with aspects

of your personality traits, belief systems, life experiences, and cultural heritage. To help you integrate your

authentic self into skills you will need in your social work field placement, and ultimately your social work career,

it will be helpful to view yourself from five different perspectives: use of personality, use of belief system, use of relational dynamic, use of anxiety, and use of self-disclosure (Dewane, 2006; Walters, 2017).

help direct their actions. In addition, although the Code of Ethics cannot guarantee ethical behaviors, and a violation of standards

in this code does not automatically imply violation of the law,

these principles stipulate ideals to which all social workers should

aspire. Beyond the NASW, many states have developed social

work licensure and/or ethics boards to promote, monitor, and

reinforce ethical social work practice.

TIME TO THINK 1.2 Are you ethical? How do your ethics stand up against social

workers' professional ethics? In the workplace, what might

make it difficult to adhere to a professional code of ethics?

You can retrieve more information about The NASW Code of Ethics at this link: http://www.naswdc.org/pubs/code/

code.asp.

Professionalism

In addition to valuing these ethics, social workers identify as

professionals. With that status comes a set of characteristics that

help ensure the highest standards of practice: a culture of profes­

sionalism, a professional authority setting standards, recognition

of that authority by the community, a systematic body of theory,

and a code of ethics.

Professional identity is currently a hot topic in the coun­

seling profess ion . A strong predictor of professiona l identity is

membership in a professional organization, such as the NASW,

and pursuing leadership opportunities in professional organiza­

tions. It takes time for professional identity to develop, and it

requires strong mentors who care about investing their time and

energy in teaching, leadership, and advocacy. Professional identity

results from a developmental process that facilitates a growing

understanding of self in one's selected career. When a social

worker is able to articulate her or his role to others, within and

outside of the discipline, the process has begun. Next, devel­

oping social workers must learn how to merge the personal and

professional by knowing themselves well. Social workers must be

in tune with their own personal beliefs and understand how their

life experiences and gender role expectations have shaped them.

As a social worker's professional identity develops, every area of

her or his life will be reflected on.

Likewise, self-awareness-the ability to clearly understand

one's own strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, and beliefs-is a

process that is worthwhile yet not always easy to achieve. Much

of the journey to becoming an effective social worker involves

developing your own self-awareness-with classmates, profes­

sors, and clients who continuously challenge your thinking. Get­

ting in touch with your feelings is extremely important. As you

deepen self-understanding, both professionally and personally,

you can develop a greater capacity to attend objectively to your

clients' needs. Being aware and secure in thoughts and feelings

leads to good health, moments of joy, and contentment, which

is something every social worker should be mindful of.

Advocacy A key element of social work values that is stressed in this intro­

duction to the profession is advocacy, simply defined as activities

that secure services for and promote the rights of individuals,

groups, organizations, and communities. Advocacy covers every­ thing from ensuring special educational services for a child with

learning disabilities to presenting facts about poverty and needy

Americans before the U.S. Congress. Social workers intercede in

not only cases but causes.

Suze Orman and National Social Work Month

March is National Social Work Month, first recognized by the U.S. Congress in 1984. It came

about because the NASW had launched a public image campaign several years earlier to

advertise what social workers do. President Ronald Reagan signed the resolution recognizing

the many thousands of social workers who dedicate

their lives to helping those in need. The resolution

acknowledged that professional social workers are in

the vanguard of the forces working to protect children and the aged, reduce racism and sexism, and prevent

the social and emotional disintegration of individuals and families. Every March the NASW continues to

celebrate the profession and raise awareness about what social workers do.

During the March 2012 celebration, NASW invited financial whiz, best-selling author, and television celebrity Suze Orman to help celebrate social

workers. Ms. Orman had earned a bachelor's degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Urbana­ Champaign but never formally worked in a social work

agency. Although she took flak from a handful of social

workers for lacking actual social work experience, Ms. Orman enthusiastically promoted the profession: "Social workers are vital to the fabric of the United States of America.... Those who enter the social work profession know about the low pay, so they need to 'stand in their power,"' In addition, Ms. Orman related how her social work studies helped her understand how people think and feel about money, and enabled her to talk about money on a personal level: "You have to understand people to understand money." Decent salaries can be earned in the social work profession, and so she also offered social workers some financial advice. While not all people who

complete social work education will become "Suze Ormans," graduates who possess degrees in social work will

locate meaningful work and be able to move from setting to setting quite easily. In some respects social work is

a business, and your degree is your ticket to success.

1. What role can social workers play in helping clients be financially literate and good stewards of their money?

2. What do you think about Ms. Orman's crediting her social work training for her success?

3. What might agencies do to celebrate National Social Work Month?

A Suze Orman

One of the key differences between social workers and other

service professionals is that social workers are expected to know

and care about clients' environments. That is what undergirds and

gives force to their advocacy.

On a broad level. clients' environments include issues of

economic. envi ronmental, and social justice. As a professional

matter, then. social workers embrace a political vision based on democratic values. They are also guided by the NASW Code of

Ethics. which is influenced by the beliefs and tenets of the three

great monotheistic religions Uudaism , Christianity. and Islam).

Social workers envision solutions and engage in problem solving

designed to protect legal and personal rights and to ensure a dig­

nified existence for everyone. Social work professionals must also

understand social and econom ic condi t ions. They must under­

stand how economic downturns. the changing balance between

conservatism and liberalism . cap italism, and global ization affect

their clients and their practice.

To become a more effective professional advocate, you should seek to expand your worldview. Social workers who have studied

sociology, economics. political science, public health. and other

social sciences can better help clients navigate social service systems

and approach decision makers about changes in social policies.

12 PART 1 Understanding Social Work

the United States usually take 2 years and combine instructionalSOCIAL WORK EDUCATION classes with fieldwork practice in agencies.

Nearly every state in the United States requires that social workers The social work profession, like the psychology and nurs­

have a social work degree from an accredited school. The CSWE ing professions, is legally regulated by state licensing boards and

is the professional entity that accredits social work programs by offers specialized credentials and practice certifications. Unfor­monitoring social work educators and ensuring high educational tunately, in some states, no licensure certification exists forstandards. CSWE is the authority that officially articulates the social workers who hold undergraduate degrees in social work.goals, values, and training objectives within the profession and This means that people who possess other academic degreesoversees curricula development. Its mission is to ensure that can occupy social work positions and sometimes incorrectly callsocial workers are trained to work at a professional level in many themselves "social workers," thereby confusing the general pub­different dimensions of practice. lic. Too often the media blame social work for an act carried out

In 2015 CSWE delineated nine social work competencies that by someone who never received a social work degree but still

students in the discipline must acquire and demonstrate before they works in a human service agency.

graduate. These competencies reflect common practice behaviors and social work ethics and are measurable. They are intended to ensure that every social work graduate has "sufficient knowledge, Bachelor of Social Work

skills, and values" to practice effectively. These competencies, The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree readies gradu­

known as the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards ates for generalist social work practice, which will be described

(EPAS), are summarized in Exhibit 1.3. in more detail in Chapter 3. The BSW, or BS in social work, is the entry level for the profession. The academic credential is precisely defined: a bachelor's degree from a college or univer­

SOCIAL WORK DEGREES sity social work program or department that is accredited by Social work education is provided at both undergraduate and the CSWE. graduate levels. The CSWE has accredited undergraduate depart­ Important goals of social work education are not only to ments, programs, and schools in colleges and universities that cover social welfare content and practice skills but also to provide offer social work training. If you complete an undergraduate a liberal arts education so students can become good citizens. degree in social work, you may proceed to graduate social work The liberal arts-oriented BSW curriculum introduces student programs or immediately take social work positions in agencies. learners to social welfare history, communication skills, human

Since 1971 the CSWE has authorized "advanced standing" behavior theories, and critical thinking about diversity and the for students who have finished approved undergraduate social human condition. Courses with an emphasis on human biology, work programs, and some schools of social work have made it economics, statistics, and political science enhance knowledge possible for such students to obtain their master's degrees in less about human behavior and social policy development. Increas­ than 2 years, some requiring only I year of graduate work. Grad­ ingly, BSW students also choose to learn American Sign Language uate training programs for the master's degree in social work in or a foreign language.

£XHtBt1 1.3 Nine Major Social Work Competencies From the EPAS

1, Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior

2. Engage in diversity and difference in practice

3. Advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justices

4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice

5. Engage in policy practice

6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

7. Assess with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

9. Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

Source: CSWE (2016). https://cswe.org/.

Master of Social Work A Master of Social Work (MSW) degree readies graduates for

advanced, specialized professional practice. It must be obtained

from a program or department accredited by the CSWE. The

MSW degree is viewed as a terminal degree, meaning that select

social work programs may hire MSW social workers as faculty to

teach clinical courses or as non-tenure-track faculty-especially

in fieldwork instructor roles.

The curriculum of master's degree programs builds on gener­

alist, BSW content. MSW students develop a concentration in a

practice method or social problem area; alternatively, some master's

degrees focus on advanced generalist practice. Thus, the MSW

social worker should be able to engage in generalist social work

practice and also function as a specialist in more complex tasks.

The basic program for the MSW degree includes four core

areas:

• Human behavior and the social environment

• Social work practice

• Social policy

• Research methods

Decades ago, social work education at the master's level

placed considerable emphasis on specialization in fields such as

psychiatric (mental health) social work, medical (health) social

work, and school social work. Since the I960s the training has

centered on a generalist curriculum. Students complete a 2-year

training program that qualifies them to work in some agencies.

Additionally, at some schools, the research methods course

requires students to complete an individual or group thesis, a

research project, or multiple research classes. MSW programs

also offer elective courses to provide a well-rounded program

for graduate social work students. Dual-degree programs and

certificates are also offered at the master's level.

Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work or Doctor of Social Work

For most social workers, an MSW degree is sufficient for a reward­

ing career. Although the number of doctoral programs has been

growing, only a small percentage of NASW members hold one

of the two doctorate degrees:

• Doctorate of Philosophy in Social Work (PhD): Readies

graduates to teach or conduct research or to specialize in

clinical practice

• Doctorate of Social Work (DSW): Prepares graduates for advanced practice and administrative positions or other

leadership in social work

Some MSW degree holders who are satisfied with this termi­

nal degree or are working on their doctorates get jobs teaching at

The Social Viork Chapter 1 13

community colleges or in universities as part-time instructors or

sometimes in non-tenure-track "clinical faculty" positions. Other

doctorate-level social workers assume administrative positions at

agencies or enter private practice as psychotherapists.

These degrees involve advanced and specialized study, a

focus on research, completion of a dissertation, and continu­

ing education credits-especially in the areas of clinical work, cultural competence, and ethics.

FIELD EDUCATION Whichever level of social work education you pursue, you can

anticipate spending time in the "real-world classroom." Referred to

as social work's "signature pedagogy," field education is the part

of the social work curriculum that students most eagerly antici­

pate. In the field you finally get a chance to apply what you have

learned, under the supervision of a credentialed social worker who

is approved by the college or university's social work program.

The placement settings for field education range widely. Stu­

dents might be placed in hospitals, courts, domestic violence shel­

ters, prisons, schools, mental health facilities, nursing homes, and

community planning sites, or with political candidates or NASW

chapter offices. In these placements, students engage in practice,

conscientiously applying theoretical concepts and intervention skills

learned in the classroom. When students have completed field edu­

cation, they are expected to be able to demonstrate all the compe­

tencies required of the generalist social work accredited curriculum.

TIME TO THINK 1.3 How many hybrid or fully online (distance learning) classes

are you currently taking? How many of these are social

work courses? What are the advantages and disadvantages

of learning about the profession of social work through an

internship experience that is online rather than in person?

CERTIFICATES AND CERTIFICATIONS In pursuit of their social work degrees, BSW students may com­

plete minors or certificates that verify specialized knowledge and

skills; for example, certificates in child welfare and gerontology are

very popular. After graduation, social work professionals may also

wish to obtain special certificates or certifications. Social work

programs, departments, and schools collaborate with continuing

education partners to offer the following:

• Credentials such as licensed social worker (LSW), certified

social worker (CSW), member of the Academy of Certified

Social Workers (ACSW), licensed master social worker

(LMSW), licensed independent social worker (LISW), and

licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)

14 PART 1 Un<ierstanding Social Work

Beyond the social work degree and professional license. credentials (professional certifications) are often voluntarily sought by social workers to demonstrate professional commit­

ment. achievement. and excellence in social work at the national level. The NASW Credentialing Center supplies information

about credentials. as they vary by state. NASW specialty cre­

dentials are open to all qualified applicants. For example, certified

social work case managers may receive this credential with only a BSW degree. The majority of other professional credentials

(e.g., ACSW, LMSW, LCSW, LISW) typically require an MSW degree. The ACSW credential, established in 1960. is available

to members and social work leaders in all practice areas and is a widely recognized and respected social work credential. If a social worker is 2 or 3 years beyond receiving her or his MSW degree and has accumulated a significant number of supervision hours and taken a standardized examination, she or he may qualify for the LCSW credential. LCSWs must have either an

MSW. DSW, or PhD degree. Many LCSWs pursue a clinical or mental health counseling path because they can bill insurance companies for services-whether in private practice or with an agency (NASW, 2014; 2018).

• Special certifications such as a Graduate Certificate in

Aging Studies or in Addictions and Substance Use • Certifications such as in Case Management

In all SO states, social workers have options for becoming cer­ tified or licensed at various levels of social work practice. In fact, it may be illegal to practice social work without a license. depending on the state and practice setting. Because licensure requirements are not always sufficiently taught to undergraduate students.

those majoring in social work will want to consult handbooks. state statutes. written resources. and websites (Boland-Prom, Johnson, & Gunaganti, 20 IS; Groshong, 2009; Monahan, 2013; NASW Press.2011; Whitaker, Weismiller, & Clark. 2006).

Social workers must be cognizant of four distinct sets of requirements and guidelines: constitutional law. common law. executive orders, and statutory law. And social workers· decisions

should be morally defensible and aligned with the ethical stan­ dards of the social work profession (Reamer, 2005). For example, in New Jersey, hospital-based and MSW-degreed social worker Jessica may assist inpatient clients with discharge planning, information, and referral; however, without her LCSW credential, Jessica is not legally able to bill patients additionally for the time she spends assessing and counseling. In Florida, mental health

social worker Ameda finds that the LMSW credential she received in New York will not suffice; by virtue of Florida law, practicing

social workers must possess an LCSW credential and complete and document a specific number of continuing education credits in HIV and domestic violence before they can practice and bill insurance companies in the state.

SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE The social work profession's dual purpose and responsibility is to influence social and individual change. Knowledge from avariety of disciplines, absorbed from formal classes and personal learning, helps social workers assess complex situations and determine effec­ tive interventions. Many people benefit from and appreciate these interventions, and our society is better for them. However, social work professionals often work with individuals and organizations that are not ready for or capable of change. So social workers also

have to use such practice skills as assessing, strategizing, broker­ ing, collaborating, intervening, linking, listening, motivating, and

responding in their professional lives. In addition, they must be ready to pose alternative solutions. seek consensus, negotiate, and mediate (Theriot, 2013). It is no wonder that social work is consid­ ered a "doing" profession and that it is taught through experiential approaches such as service learning, internships, and fieldwork.

The multidimensional approach to social work education gives graduates at all levels the knowledge and skills they need to work in a variety of settings at various levels of practice. It also helps them prepare for aprofessional career that offers much personal satisfaction and a promising future, with many opportu­ nities to grow and blaze new paths.

Social workers must act ethically and help clients make decisions that are ethical. Author Holly Nelson-Becker (2018) has developed an "Ethical Decision-Making Framework" to help practicing social workers think through how to "do ethics" for particular clients (see Exhibit 1.4). The framework considers con­ text or setting of the dilemma, type of client. values. and risks.

SOCIAL WORK ROLES AND SETTINGS Traditionally, social workers have provided charity, created agencies

and resources, developed or advocated for policy changes, and delivered services to people and communities in need. Historically, as Chapter 2 describes, they have been key to the development of social welfare policies, such as child labor laws, fair pay for minori­ ties and other oppressed people, and relief for the aging and infirm.

Today, the main purpose of social work remains much the same: to empower people to grow and live healthy, productive,

and meaningful lives. Social workers accomplish this purpose by working directly with people, organizations, and communities, and by acting to change society. Most people who consider social work as their career choice do so because they want to help people and make a difference.

But social workers' activities within their practice are more diverse than ever. They help people increase their capacities for problem solving and coping. They help people obtain needed resources, facilitate interactions between people and their environments. and make organizations responsive to people. Social workers are also professional social activists, working to influence social policies affecting their clients and their

.EXHI BIJ 1.4 · Ethical Decision·Making Framework

--- ----- -----------------Decision may need to be 1'8"1'1'1ade-----------------~-~- ----

Setting for Dilemma

Hospital

Agency Home

Community

• . .

•

Source: Nelson-Becker (2018, p. 68).

I

16 PART 1 Understanding Social Work

communities (Swank, 2012). Here are some examples of the Exhibit 1.5 presents an overview of the primary fields of broad array of practice activities they might undertake: practice, industries, and employers for social workers.

• Teaching people how to bring up and nurture children LEVELS OF PRACTICEthrough training and small-group meetings

• Caring for older adults through case management and No matter the precise setting, social workers also categorize their visits to senior centers and hospice facilities work on the basis of the level of practice, or the size of the

• Privately counseling couples with marriage troubles client system with which they intervene: micro, mezzo/mesa, or • Modeling how to preserve constructive. safe, and caring macro. Exhibit 1.6 delineates these three levels. with examples of

households through in-home visits and courses for family each. The particular issues that enter into practice at each level members are discussed in Chapter 3.

• Fighting for policy changes within institutions and local Professional social workers often operate on multiple inter­ and state governments. and for the rights of persons who vention levels. Certainly, across a career, a professional social cannot fight for themselves, by organizing and leading worker is likely to experience all three levels of practice. In meetings or writing letters and articles addition, rarely does a case involve only one level at a time. For

• Advocating with the national government for veterans instance. awoman who has been raped on campus and feels trau­ who have put their lives on the line for the sake of others, matized may need individual counseling. and the social worker by writing position papers, speaking in public forums, and may also set up a meeting with her and her parents to ensure that testifying before committees they are sensitive to the woman's concerns; the social worker may

also intervene with campus authorities to alert them to a problem Social workers undertake these activities in a wide variety of that may affect other female students.

settings: medical facilities, government and nonprofit agencies. corrections facilities. home health and long-term care settings,

SOCIAL WORK AS state and federal government. schools, community-based mental A CAREER OPPORTUNITY health agencies, faith-based organizations, the military, vet­

erans programs, corporations, and private practice. Social work­ According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Sta­ ers may also find employment in banks, theater groups, elder tistics (Bureau of Labor Statistics [BLS].2014. "Pay"), the median law firms, community gardens, police stations, and international salary for social workers was $44,200 in 2012. However, in social agencies (Gambrill , 1997: Gibelman, 1995; Singer, 2009). work the pay varies depending on where you work. For example,

EXHIBIT"1.S- Overview of Social Work Employment

In Which Fields Do Bachelors of Social Work In Which Types of Organizations Do Social In Which Industries Do Social Practice? Workers Practice? Workers Practice?

a) b) c) Federal Military

Government 1% 5%

Corrections 4Addictions ·~

(Chemical Dependency)

: .··· •4.6% • ! ·

Public '• WeHare

6.3% County/ MunicipalfTo GovernFamily­

Focused ---1 Practice

6.9%

Health Social Work

8.0%

Disabilities (Intellectual, Leaming,

Physical) 11.3%

Source: Data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014, "Work Environment").

The Social Work Profession , Chapter 1 17

_. EXfllBJT-1.ff Levels of Practice

Sll~Ject -~f Level · Intervention Examples

Micro Individual or couple Counseling a traumatized woman who has been raped or a couple who are debating divorce

Mezzo/meso Family, group, or organization Facilitating a cancer support group or delivering a presentation on the needs of military families

Macro Community or society Working for a political campaign or advocating for legislative changes

Source: Data from "The 25 Best Master of Social Work Degree Programs" (2012).

salaries for SSW-degreed social workers may start lower at non­ profit agencies than at government-funded child welfare agencies. Below, in order of annual median wages from high to low, are the industries that employ the most social workers:

I. Federal executive branch

2. General. medical, and surgical hospitals

3. Local government

4. State government

5. Individual and family services

Exhibit I. 7 shows the median salaries by skill or specialty of employees with an MSW degree. Keep in mind, however, that lower salaries may be offset by more opportunities to learn quickly about community resources, as is often the case when working for a nonprofit agency.

A 25% growth rate is expected for social work employment, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This expected

"

job growth is a result of an increased demand for social services and health care. However, job growth will vary by industry. The BLS {20 14. "Job Outlook") predicts a 27% employment increase for health care social workers, 23% for mental health and sub­ stance use social workers, and 15% for child, family, and school social workers.

MSW-degreed social workers will find good opportunities in coming years in the following specialties: aging, public welfare, child welfare, justice corrections. school social work, health care, employment/occupational social work, developmental disabili­ ties, community organization, mental health/clinical social work, management/administration, international social work. research , pol itics, policy and planning, adoption and foster care agencies, private practice, employee assistance programs, advocacy and coalition groups, domestic violence agencies. drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, nursing homes/skilled nursing homes, homelessness and hunger advocacy networks, women's shelters, long-termcare facilities, military counseling offices, assisted-living facilities, senior centers, and social and human services centers {BLS, 2014, ''Work Environment").

E)(H1BfT·:fl1' MSW prepared social workers may receive higher salaries than social workers who possess undergraduate degrees in social work.

Median Salaries: MSW Versus BSW

Health Care Mental Health and Child, Family, and All Other Substance Use School

$80,000

$70,000

$60,000

$50,000

$40,000

$30,000

$20,000

$10,000

$0

$74,410

l• MSW BSW I•

Source: Created by Felicia Mainiero and adapted from Bureau of Labor Statistics, 201 6; Social Work License Map, 2017.

18 PART1 Understanding Social Work

The social work profession will also offer ample opportunityEXHIBIT 1.8 Many more females than males serve as work professionals.

Percentage of Social Workers by Gender

Sources: Figures created by Felicia Mainiero from data at https://www.bls.gov/ oes/current/oes_nat.htm (Figure 1.7) and at https://socialworklicensemap.com/ social-worker-salary/ (Figure 1.8).

for creativity and innovative solutions in the future. Developments in scientific knowledge, technologies, and the political economy will continually shape our world, as will globalization, the chang­ ing natural environment. and the aging population. Social work­ ers' broad education and versatile skills will help ensure that all of us can keep up.

One appealing aspect of professional social work is that it reflects social and technological trends. Among the areas that promise to provide interesting challenges and opportunities for social workers in the next few years are the following:

• Teaching and learning: Outstanding communication skills are more essential than ever. Access to, and instruction in the use of, digital technologies is essential for social work clients. Streaming videos can teach client viewers about anger management, substance use interventions. or assistive devices to use at home. Online webinars can help social work professionals acquire new knowledge about mental health or health care reform.

• Research: Genetic counseling and neuroscience are burgeon­ ing sciences that social workers are embracing. 1Cultural neuroscience elucidates how early childhood experiences

Lifestyle and Technological Change

OVER the past three decades, some significant technological

changes have occurred. These include the following {Lindsell­

Roberts, 2011, p. ix):

• Electric typewriters ➔ High-speed computers

• Radio ➔ MP3

• Encyclopedias ➔ Wikipedia

• Wired ➔ Wireless

• Letters ➔ E-mail, instant messaging, and texting

• Rotary phones ➔ Smartphones

• Kilobytes ➔ Terabytes

• Local data storage ➔ Cloud storage

These changes have been occurring simultaneously with a number

of significant lifestyle changes:

• 9 to 5 ➔ 24/7

• Jet-setters ➔ Cybersurfers

• Office workers ➔ Virtual workers

• Single skill set ➔ Lifelong learning

• Shopping malls ➔ Amazon.com, Craigslist, and eBay

• Brick and mortar ➔ Virtual workplaces

• Security ➔ Risk taking

• Status quo ➔ Constant change

• National ➔ Global

• Homogeneous ➔ Heterogeneous

• Lifers ➔ Job-hoppers

1. How will ever-changing technology likely influence the

development of the social work profession?

2. What social work-related apps or a-therapy resources do

you or your professors know about? How helpful are these

resources to social workers or people in need?

affect our physical and mental health across the life span. Research that studies the meaning and nature of work is also vitally needed to inform social work practice. For example. one social work study comparing younger (ages 19 to 34) and older workers found that each group attached diverse meanings to the concept of "work" (Singh, 20 l 3). In direct practice, social workers should ask which activities qualify as work and which sociocultural and situational factors influ­ ence the general public's interpretations of work.

• Services: Social work hails from a tradition of charity and service. In the future, social workers will need to become expert navigators and literate interpreters of services that are becoming digitized and being offered as part of a vi r­ tual marketplace, so they can help clients receive what they need. Just as previous generations of social workers needed to adopt cultural competency, social workers now and in the future will need to embrace technical literacy (Belluomini, 20 13). In addition. some social work practi­ tioners are offering e-therapy interventions.

• Social work education: Social media and technology are radically changing social work pedagogy. Some graduate

The Social Work Profession Chapter 1 19

programs are now offered completely online. Social work education has also become part of the global marketp lace (Askeland & Payne, 2006; Garrett, 2009). Those who have the resources to produce and distribute social work litera­ ture digitally and through social media are able to dissemi­ nate their theoretical views and skills throughout the world. Social workers may have to adapt by researching and com­ municating about more universal topics. or on the learning end of the educational enterprise , taking into account the different local contexts in which information is produced and the different perspectives from which it should be read .

TIME TO THINK 1.4 If your friends or parents said to you, "Social work doesn't

pay well. Why don't you major in nursing, psychology, or

criminal justice?" how would you respond? How will social

work prepare you to work with people and social problems

differently than other professions would?

SUMMARY Social workers are professionals who help individuals, families, groups, agencies and organizations, and communities. They work with people across the life span and across socioeconomic levels. They usually work with oppressed, vulnerable, and disenfranchised people. People who are suffering because they are ill, addicted, disabled, homeless, poor, immigrants, or discriminated against might very well be clients of social workers. On the other hand, social workers may also work with social and political elites, as when they serve as policy planners and program evaluators-although the plight of those at the fringes of society is always at the core of social work. Unique among other types of professionals, social workers are champions of economic and social justice.

Social workers can obtain employment in multiple settings, including traditional social service agencies as well as courts and correct ional settings, schools, the military, offices and factories, hosp itals, mental health agencies, child and family welfare agencies, long-term care settings, addiction treatment centers, homeless shelters, nonprofit advocacy programs, local/state/federal government agencies, and legislative bodies. Social workers are found wherever people need help to alleviate personal or social problems.

No matter where social workers are employed, common skills and responsibilit ies exist across the profession:

• Providing services to support change not only in the individual but also in his or her environment • Having a knowledge and understanding of human relationships • Improving the problem-solving, coping, and development capacities of all people • Serving as a broker by connect ing individuals with resources • Engaging and communicating with diverse populations and groups of all sizes • Creating and maintaining professional helping relationships • Advocating for individual clients or the community to solve identified problems

Job prospects for graduates with BSW or MSW degrees, who learn these skills through classroom learning and field practice, are very good for the future.

20 PART 1 Understanding Social Work

TOP 10 KEY CONCEPTS Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Master of Social Work (MSW) Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) National Association of Social Workers (NASW) field education profession intersectionality social work level of practice social workers

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. What are the values and beliefs of social workers? How do

social workers put their values and beliefs into action?

2. Why is self-understanding so important to becoming a social worker?

3. Imagine that you meet a man who felt neglected as a child because his parents divorced and his father was an abusive alcoholic. As this man ages, he has choices. At one end of the

spectrum, he may continue the cycle of addiction, drink heavily,

and also become abusive. At the other end, he may choose

never, ever to drink alcohol and become the most responsible

person in all his relationships, always trying to please others. If

you grew up in a family where alcohol was never around or was

drunk only in moderation, how would you relate to and help this man?

4. What characteristics do you possess that make you behave ethically? Think of a time when perhaps you or someone you know did not act in an ethical manner. What was the rationale for the unethical behavior? Looking back, was that a good

rationale? Why or why not?

5. What are the differences in where a BSW social worker and an

MSW social worker might work and in how they might practice?

EXERCISES 1. What is important to you in a career? Interview a social worker,

and then interview a sociologist, a psychologist, or another

human service professional. Compare and contrast their roles and responsibilities. Ask about their level of education and how quickly they got a job working with people upon graduation.

2. How would you respond to people (clients) who are poor, ilt, or

addicted and oppressed? Find out more about these population

groups: Read articles or stories; watch a movie, Fox News, or

C-SPAN ; listen to NPR; or interview social workers who work

with addicted, mentally ill, impoverished, and oppressed people.

Then record your thoughts and feelings about working with people who are vulnerable and in need of services. For example,

here are some of the questions you might explore in a few

relevant movies:

a. The Help: What was your reaction to the oppression of lower-class African American women?

b. Losing Isaiah: What was your reaction to this transracial

adoption?

c. Maria Full of Grace: What do you think about how drug/sex

trafficking was portrayed?

3. What workplace features or career goals are most important to you? With which clients might you most like to work?

4. On the BLS website (www.bls.gov/home.htm), find the range of

salaries for social workers in your local area or state. Compare

salaries across practice settings, such as aging, child welfare,

corrections, health, mental health, and school social work. Then compare the salaries for entry-level BSWs and advanced­

practice MSWs (SSW salaries: http:1/wwwl .salary.com/Social-Worker-SSW-Salary.html) .

5. Read one of Dr. Brene Brown's books (e.g., Rising Strong or Braving the Wilderness) and consider the importance of learning to be both courageous and vulnerable.

GNLINf-RESOURCES • American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare (aaswsw

.org): Gathers ideas relevant to the future of the social work profession through its new initiative, called Grand Challenges for Social Work

• Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov/ooh/Community-and­ Social-Service/Social-workers.htm#tab-2): Categorizes jobs in social work by sponsorship (where the salary comes from to operate the agency and pay employees), by the kinds of clients or populations the social worker deals with, and by the kinds of services rendered

• Council on Social Work Education (cswe.org): The sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States that advocates for social work research and education

• International Federation of Social Workers (www.ifsw.org): Contributes to achieving a socially just world through professional social work; comprises 90 professional social work organizations that care about setting and reviewing international standards for social work

• NASW chapters (www.naswdc.org/chapters/default.asp): All chapters, listed state by state

Th e Social VVork P rofession Chapter 1 21

• NASW Occupational Profile Series (workforce.socialworkers .org/whatsnew.asp#profiles)

• National Association of Black Social Workers (nabsw.org): Composed of people from African ancestry and guided by the Principles of the Nguzo Saba to empower and advocate for people of African ancestry and work to create a world without racial discrimination and oppression

• National Association of Social Workers (www.socialworkers .org): The largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world

• The NASW Code of Ethics may be located at this link: http:// www.naswdc.org/pubs/code/code.asp or http ://www.vet.utk .edu/socialwork/pdf/NASWCodeofEthics.pdf

• The New Social Worker (www.socialworker.com/career.htm)

• Social Workers' Salary Guide (socialworklicensemap.com/ wp-conte nt/uploads/2013/05/The-Social-Workers-Salary­ Gu ide.j pg)

• Suze Orman (www.socialworkersspeak.org/hollywood­ connection/money-guru-suze-orman-offers-social-workers­ financial-advice.html): Offers financial advice for social workers

• U.S. Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (www .usaid.gov/faith-based-and-community-initiatives)

• Self-awareness and professional identity resource: http:// www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/field-placement/ An Introduction to Use of Self in Field Placement/

• Social work practice setting resource: http://www.social worklicensure.org/types-of-social-workers/types-of-social­ workers. htm I #context/ap i /I istings/ prefi lter

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