Lileana Duarte, left, and Lener Jimenez listen while visiting the NASW national office in March. The two were part of a group of MSW students from the University of Southern California who visited Washington, D.C., as part of their class curriculum.

A group of MSW students from the University of Southern California School of Social Work visited the NASW national office in March to learn more about the social work profession.

The students are enrolled in Child Development and Social Policy at USC, and spent a week in Washington, D.C., as a part of their class curriculum. During their trip, the students learned about policy issues by visiting NASW and other national organizations. NASW Special Assistant to the CEO Elizabeth Hoffler, NASW Chief Engagement Officer Becky Corbett and Director of the NASW Social Work Policy Institute Joan Levy Zlotnik met with the students and discussed the Social Work Reinvestment Act, child welfare policy, the Congressional Social Work Caucus, the role of SWPI, and the benefits of being an NASW member.

Students were also given suggestions on entering the social work field for the first time, how to network effectively and the best practices for paying down student debt.

“Having the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., and being able to visit the NASW headquarters enabled my USC colleagues and I to have a chance to ask questions and give comments about our profession,” said USC student Lener Jimenez. “I left with a greater appreciation for the field of social work and committed to promoting this profession of caring and hardworking individuals.”