A Career in Social Work Sociology Anthropology and

A Career in Social Work Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work Department Professors Nancy Barker & Patricia Halcrow Nassau Community College

What is Social Work? l “…the professional activity of helping individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities…” l TO DO WHAT? l Enhance or restore their quality of life Nassau Community College

OK, but what do Social Workers Actually do? l Social – – – Workers have many roles: Counselors Educators Mediators Administrators Advocates/ Political consultants Researchers FOR MORE INFO. . . Dr. Patricia Halcrow 516. 572. 9660 • Dr. Nancy Barker: 516. 572. 0818 Sociology/Anthropology/Social Work Dept: 516. 572. 7452 Nassau Community College

Where Do Social Workers Work? l There are many social work settings: – Schools – Hospitals – Probation/Corrections Departments – Mental Health Clinics – Alcoholism/Drug Facilities – Nursing Homes – Group Homes Nassau Community College

Example: Mental Health Professional social workers are the nation’s largest group of mental health services providers. There are more clinically trained social workers than psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric nurses combined. (NASW, 2005) FOR MORE INFO. . . National Association of Social Workers www. naswdc. org Nassau Community College

Mental Health, Roles l As a social worker, you might: – Run a group (therapy, socialization, educational) – Do individual counseling – Work with families who struggle with various problems (domestic violence, child abuse) – Counsel children or teens – Help alcoholics or drug addicts to deal with their addictions – Attend team meetings on treatment planning for patients in mental hospital settings Nassau Community College

Does Social Work Fit For Me? l Social Workers help people to overcome life’s problems. l Do you: – Have a genuine interest in people? – Believe in the human potential for growth? – Enjoy working with people? – Have patience and perseverance? Nassau Community College

What Makes Social Work Unique? Person-in-environment perspective. Social workers see people as being connected to a larger social world. This might include family, school community or peer groups. Strengths perspective. Social workers assume that everyone has strengths, and that there are strengths in the resources around us. They help people to find and utilize these areas of strength. FOR MORE INFO. . . NASW – New York www. naswny. org Nassau Community College

New NCC Social Work Related Program Human Services: Community Service & Social Welfare AA degree 66 credits Projected Start Date: January 2008 Seamless transfer to schools of social work on Long Island FOR MORE INFO. . . Contact Dr. Barker or Dr. Halcrow SOC/ANT/SWK Department: Mrs. Loschin Nassau Community College 516. 572. 7452

Why NCC? l l l l Individualized advisement “Welcome Brunch” in fall Awards & End of Year Party each spring Reasonable tuition Inter. ACT club – Social Work Organization on campus NASW-NYS conference each spring Social Work Day in March Nassau Community College