People tell me all the time that they couldn’t do what I do as a social worker.  You probably hear stories about working in the field and think you wouldn’t know what to do if someone is in emotional crisis.  It can be scary.  However, I bet you wouldn’t be drawn to social work if you didn’t have some knack with people already. As you gain experience you will build on your innate people skills and learn different ways to interact.  Here are some tips to get started.  (And they don’t just work with clients – they can work with all your relationships.)

• Listen – The bottom line.  When someone is agitated or sad – listen to them.  Listen beyond the words.  Are they screaming in rage but really scared?   I think we are all a little guilty of spending so much time thinking about what our response is going to be that we don’t always fully listen. There is time for the response after you listen.  Sometimes – all you can do is listen and bear witness to someone’s struggle.
• Reflect Back – In most situations it is important the person knows that you are not just listening but also understanding.  Paraphrase and repeat back what the person is telling you.  Let your words show you understand.    You could be saying the most reasonable, calming words to someone in distress but if they don’t think you understand– they will not hear you.  Don’t worry if you get it a bit wrong.  If you do, the individual is sure to correct you and will likely give you a clue of what to say.  One roadblock some people run into, is a belief that understanding equals agreement.  It is not the same.  Acknowledging a person’s feelings and viewpoint is not the same as saying they are correct.
• Empathy – If you just are unsure what else to say – use an empathetic statement. Something like “It seems like you are having a tough time right now” or “I imagine you might feel a bit afraid” can make all the difference. You can use empathy with friends and family too!  Instead of trying to give advice or fix their concerns – a empathetic statement or two may make the people in your life feel you really get them!
• Allow for physical space – An easy thing to do but so often forgotten. When someone is agitated they generally need more physical space.  A distressed individual might need dou ble or triple the space with which they normally would be comfortable.  If someone seems to get more upset as you move closer then take a step back.  You might have the instinct to give a hug or a pat on the back.  People tend to be more physically sensitive with heightened emotion.  It is probably a good idea to not touch someone in anguish and give space.  If holding their hand or touch seems very appropriate – ask for permission and respect their answer.
• Don’t personalize – I tell people in therapy all the time that no one is thinking about them as much as they think about themselves. In a Social Work setting, very rarely will what someone is saying have anything to do with you.  We’ve all heard that hurt people hurt others.  When someone is agitated in crisis they may say things that are cruel or mean.  No matter what they say, remember it isn’t about you.
• Be Honest– For me, one of the hardest things is when I am working with someone and there seems to be only bad choices and bad answers from which to choose. Telling someone things will be OK when they really won’t or agreeing to something that isn’t true is not helpful for anyone.  Lying will not deescalate the person in the long run.  You will become just another person who lied to them.  (By the way – if there are no responses you can give the person that will be helpful – go for the empathy!)

The above tips seems so simple but they can make the difference between a situation ending hopefully rather than badly.  Being able to help someone deescalate and move forward can be one of the most kind and compassionate tasks you can do as a Social Worker.

Social work is a challenging, rewarding, and dynamic field. But it’s also a demanding profession, requiring emotional and personal maturity. Employers look for candidates who possess workplace readiness skills that include much more than a desire to help others.

Below you’ll find a list of the top eight characteristics that comprise a model social worker in today’s complex health and human services system.

1. Training and Knowledge

First and foremost! Obtaining the right education is an essential part of your career development. Degree programs in social work are available at all education levels from an associate degree to a Ph.D. These programs provide the necessary training and skills required to work in social systems, large and small.

2. Courage

Being a social worker takes courage, no doubt about it. Social work often takes place in high-stress, complex environments so guts and will-power are must-have characteristics.

3. Empathy

Empathy is what social work is all about. Compassion for others is without a doubt, an essential attribute of a successful social worker.

4. Organization

Social workers handle some serious paperwork. From case files to medical records, you’ll need to keep your ducks in a row by staying on top of your work in a neat and organized fashion.

5. Respect for Diversity

Given the breadth of their profession, social workers often work with clients from all walks of life so it’s imperative to keep an open mind and an open heart.

6. Flexibility

In addition to odd hours, even on-call duty, social workers MUST be flexible, in all situations. Being able to adapt to new demands is essential, if not mandatory. Keep this in mind if other commitments will prevent you from working a not-so traditional schedule.

7. Ethical and Responsible

Social workers often handle ethical and sometimes legal issues that require careful thought and research. You’ll need to practice due diligence when it comes to handling client-service provider relationships.

8. Continuing Education

Employers look for candidates who are active in their field through professional associations, volunteering, or internship work. Do whatever you can to get as much experience and exposure in your field as possible.

If you are considering getting an MSW, take a look at what you need to know about MSW programs and possible future careers.

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]]> One way to become successful as a social worker student or on the job is to find other social workers to network with. Much of that networking needs to be local, so you have resources available to help you help others. But staying on top of trends in the industry is important too. As a student especially, learning about new legislation, theories, or insights can help generate discussion and put you at the top of the class. Online journals and forums designed specifically for social workers can provide those resources you need to be the best in your field. The following twenty online journals, forums, and social media outlets offer information to help you attain your goals.

Journals

1. Child & Family Social Work: With a focus on children and families, this journal provides social workers with current issues and archives of the most recent issues. They also offer an online availability for “call for papers.”
2. Clinical Social Work Journal: This journal publishes leading, peer-reviewed original articles relevant to contemporary clinical practice with individuals, couples, families, and groups. It also presents innovations in theoretical, practice, evidence-based clinical research, and interdisciplinary approaches. You can find downloads of articles online, as well as the opportunity to submit work.
3. International Social Work: This is a scholarly peer reviewed journal designed to extend knowledge and promote communication in the fields of social development, social welfare, and human services. You can find the current issue and forthcoming articles published ahead of print at this site.
4. Journal of Social Work: This is an international peer reviewed forum for the publication, dissemination and debate of key ideas and research in social work. You can find online articles here that promote, debate and analyze current themes and issues in social work theory, research, policy and practice, sometimes before they’re published in print.
5. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics: This journal examines the ethical and values issues that impact and are interwoven with social work practice, research, and theory development. The current edition is available online, as well as an archive, and a way to submit manuscripts.
6. Qualitative Social Work: This journal provides a forum for those interested in qualitative research and evaluation and in qualitative approaches to practice. Look for the current issue online, as well as forthcoming articles published ahead of print.
7. Social Work & Society: Social Work and Society (SW&S) is an international network of social scientists and political activists in the fields of social work and social policy. You can find current issues and archives available at their site. They have an “open access” policy.
8. Social Work Today: This journal tackles topics such as addictions, mental health, children and family, aging, healthcare, and professional practice. They hold current issues and article archives online as well as a “Digital Edition” section.
9. The British Journal of Social Work: Published for the British Association of Social Workers, this is the leading academic social work journal in the UK. It covers every aspect of social work, with papers reporting research, discussing practice, and examining principles and theories. This journal offers online access to the current issue as well as archives.
10. The New Social Worker: This online magazine has been in operation for almost two decades. They carry job listings, a forum, and articles that keep social workers updated with their careers.

Forums

Beyond this list, take look at university and college websites for social work or social worker forums. Many higher-education institutions that maintain social work programs also provide forums for students to talk about social work issues across the spectrum. You often need to be a student in a given program to gain access to those resources.

1. Socialworkhelper.com: This is a professional online magazine  where users can engage listen to podcasts, share information, comment on news stories, view archived twitter chats, and much more.
2. CareSpace Social Work Forums: Learn more about the social work profession, children’s and adult services, the practice, careers, and residential care, among other topics at this forum.
3. Council on Social Work Education Discussion Forums: This is an electronic mailing list community that requires registration to join in the conversations. You also can join as a Council on Social Work member.
4. Social Worker Jobs Forum: This job site provides a way to communicate about social work jobs from around the country and the world. Topics include PhD degrees, new graduate stress, career change, and other issues.
5. The GradCafe Social Work Forum: You must register before you can comment, but feel free to browse topics such as information about various college programs, college woes, and field placement interviews, and more.

Social Media

As forums are becoming more and more a thing of the past, most people are connecting and interacting with social media now. While there are many outlets you can follow on Facebook and Twitter, here are a few key sites that can be a stepping stone toward developing your online identity. As always, be aware of what you post publicly online and consider the ethical implications of what you post.

1. LinkedIn Networking and Discussion Forum for Social Workers: Connect with other social workers in this professional social media format. You can also promote your business and skills by posting articles, questions, and answers. You must be a LinkedIn member to participate.
2. This Twitter list of social workers: Twitter is great tool for real-time interaction, even if on a microlevel. This list of over 300 social workers and institutions is filled with a variety of people you can add to your following list.
3. Twitter chats: Another way to talk in real-time about specific issues at a predetermined time. Social Worker Helper does a great job of organizing these chats, and archiving them as well.
4. Reddit: Essentially the modern online forum, the social worker subreddit goes more in depth than twitter’s character limit allows. Many questions you probably have about MSW programs and social work in general will be asked and hopefully answered here.
5. The National Association of Social Workers Facebook: It’s always a good idea to stay up-to-date with the NASW. They post frequently on Facebook, as well as longer posts and an archive on their blog.
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