Choosing social work or Social Work Degree as your career path is one of the best decisions you can make for a successful future. Not many careers offer the same diversity of work and financial rewards as social work. Not to mention, social workers also enjoy the emotional rewards of helping communities and people overcome their problems.
However, the road to becoming a social worker can be pretty challenging- probably more so than other professions. After all, social work requires developing unique skills and qualities while learning several different concepts. As a result, students often find themselves caught between tough workloads, gaining relevant experience, and life itself.
To become a successful social worker, you not only need to earn a degree but need to stand out from the crowd. Your achievements as a social work student will determine the success of your career. So, here are five tips to help you study your social work degree effectively.
Learn beyond your curriculum
If you want to stand out as an exceptional student, it’s best to learn beyond your program’s curriculum. There may be several relevant activities you can pursue alongside your social work degree at your school. For example, many social work students practice grant writing. This helps them gain credit hours, enhance their knowledge, and helps to impress employers in the future.
However, pursuing different activities is not the only way to go beyond your curriculum. It’s also a good idea to start your research or independent study while still being a student. Also, you can take classes apart from your required curriculum.
However, one thing to keep in mind is to continue learning, as it’s a lifelong process. A simple social work degree is never enough to excel in this profession. Instead, you should look forward to gaining a master’s degree in social work after completing your undergrad. What’s best is that you can also pursue this degree online and ease the learning process. So, be sure to enroll in social work masters programs online for a bright future. This option’s flexible and cheaper than traditional learning.
Gain experience
You can’t earn everything in an academic environment. You need to go beyond the classroom to gain hands-on experience and understand what it’s like to be a social worker in the real world. Doing so is essential to land a rewarding job as a social worker, as employers keep an eye out for people with experience. Experience will help you learn several skills and qualities. Furthermore, post-graduate courses in social work also require students to have some experience before beginning the program.
To gain experience, you can try volunteering for your local community through a social work organization. You may also find volunteering opportunities through your school or local volunteer center. You can also gain experience as a paid intern. For example, many residential homes offer volunteering and paid work opportunities to social work students.
Get a mentor
While you may not think you need one, mentors can prove to be a potent driving force behind your success. Mentors have years of experience in several different aspects of social work. They can pass on this knowledge to you. By developing a relationship with a mentor, you can gain important advice on several situations you may face during your education, helping you make the right decisions. But more importantly, mentors offer support, which is essential to go through a tough education. Moreover, mentors can also help you gain several skills and build the vital qualities of a social worker by providing knowledge.
So, don’t hesitate to reach out to professors and experienced faculty members who can help you develop as a student and become a successful social worker. Many faculty members enjoy helping and supporting students as mentors. But the professional advantages gained from a mentorship relationship also encourage faculty members to support students.
Focus on self-care
Social work education can be quite demanding in terms of work. As mentioned earlier, students must meet several responsibilities alongside academic tasks. Not to mention, in hopes of becoming exceptional social workers, students push themselves to their limits. While it’s a good thing to test your limits, it’s equally important to take care of yourself. Otherwise, it’s easy to end up drained out.
In 2021, student burnout increased to 71%. Student burnout can lead to reduced academic performance. But most importantly, it can cause a loss of interest in social work as you no longer have the motivation to continue learning.
To avoid burnout and pursue your studies effectively, it’s best to set boundaries between college and personal life. For example, you can improve your time management skills and develop a fixed schedule that allows you to relax between studying. Also, follow a nutritious diet for healthy living. Indulging in hobbies can also be a good way of relaxing and relieving educational stress.
Network
Regardless of what you’re studying, networking is essential for every student. Networking allows you to approach exciting and rewarding career opportunities. 85% of jobs are filled with the help of professional contact, as most of them are not announced publicly. So, the professional connections you create as a student will come a long way in helping you develop a successful career. A professional network of experienced social workers will also help you get important advice and tips to be a better social work student.
To network effectively, attend and socialize at professional events. You may find such opportunities at your college, as institutions are aware of the need for networking for their students. You can also develop contacts with the alumni from your college, as they can be equally beneficial.
Conclusion
Studying social work can help one secure a prosperous future and help several people in the process. However, at the same time, it can be a daunting experience, considering all the work and responsibilities involved in gaining a social work degree. But you shouldn’t let this discourage you from pursuing your education. Instead, follow the five tips mentioned above to excel as a social work student and prepare for a bright future.