Clinical Social Work
Choosing a career is a very important aspect to people 's lives. One goes to college, usually around the age of eighteen, and by the time they leave they are expected to have decided on the career that they will have for the rest of their lives. Being a psychology and interpersonal communication major, I have always had an interest on relationships between individuals given certain stimuli presented to them. I want to have the ability to touch people 's lives by helping them understand themselves and why they behave the way in which they behave. Relationships are such an important aspect to the process of human growth, and they impact each and every one of us. Due to this assessment of myself, I have decided to go to Western Michigan University to pursue my goals of being a clinical social worker. Becoming a social worker is dependent on numerous factors, one of which being education. "A bachelor 's degree in social work (BSW) degree is the most common minimum requirement to qualify for a job as a social worker, however, majors in psychology, sociology, and related fields may be sufficient to qualify for some entry-level job" (Chao & Orr, 162). Many people when pursuing the goals of being a social worker, however, are most interested in jobs in public agencies and/or having their own practices. "A master 's degree in social work (MSW) is necessary for positions in health and mental health settings and typically is required for certification for clinical work" (Chao & Orr, 162). One 's level of school is not the only thing employers are focusing on when looking to hire social workers. Along with one 's education, a social worker must have "a broad liberal arts base which includes a knowledge of the social sciences (sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, political science, and economics) to provide explanations about the nature of human society and the human condition" (Johnson, 48). There are many more skills that are just as essential, if not
References: Brill, N. (1990). Working with people: The helping process. (4th ed.) White Plains, NY: Longman, Inc. Chao, E., & Orr, L. (2002). Occupational outlook handbook. (2002-2003 ed.) Superintendent of Documents, U.S Clinical social worker: career search. (2002). Retrieved November 01, 2002, from http://www.afrotc.com/careers/jobsearch Cohen, B. (1999). Intervention and supervision in strengths-based social work practice. The Journal of Contemporary Human Services 80, no Johnson, L. (1995). Social work practice: A generalist practice. (5th ed.). Allyn and Bacon, Singapore: Library of Congress Cataloging Pieper, M. (1999). The privilege of being a therapist: a fresh perspective from intrapyschic humanism on caregiving intimacy and the development of the Roberts, A., & Greene, G. (2002) Social workers ' desk reference. Oxford Press, Athens: Oxford Press, Inc. Skidmore, R., Thackeray, M., & Farley, O. (1994). Introduction to social work. (6th ed.) Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc. US-CA-San Diego-licensed clinical social worker-(MFCC or MFT). (2002). Retrieved November 01, 2002, from http://jobsearch.aol.monster.com US-CT-Danbury/Bridgeport-clinical social worker. (2002). Retrieved November 01, 2002, from http://jobsearch.aol.monster.com US-OH-Cincinnati-social worker/therapist. (2002). Retrieved November 01, 2002, from http://jobsearch.aol.monster.com