Self in Social Work
This paper is your opportunity to articulate how you see yourself within the profession of social work. The goal is not to give the answer; you are not, for example, being asked to decide now what kind of internship you want as a senior. Rather, this is a point-in-time statement, early in your student social-worker career, about why or how social work seems like a good fit for you.
Be sure to explain your working definition of generalist social work as part of positioning yourself within it; what is the profession you see yourself as part of? Some guiding questions (you need not answer all of them):
- How do you define generalist social work? What are the key features of generalist social work? If a relative asked you what social work is, or what the social work major is, what would you tell that person? — 25 points overall
- What do social workers do that appeals to you? Which of the six core values is most important to you and why? What field(s) of practice or what client population group(s) might you find interesting to work with; why? In other words, discuss why social work feels like the right major for you, and why it feels like the right profession for you. What might you be doing in five years? Ten years? — 25 points overall
Double-space, number your pages, use headings, and use standard fonts and margins. This paper should be 3-4 pages long. A title page is not necessary, but remember to put your name on the first page. —- 25 points for format and writing quality
Note: If you are minoring in social work, or considering the graduate degree, adjust the assignment to focus on how the minor/graduate program complements your major degree program.
If in fact this class has persuaded you that social work is NOT a good fit for you, see the instructor about an alternative assignment.
